Now that the kids are back to school we can turn our attention to the November civic elections.
Wow, Ernst & Young’s report last week really shone light on how out-of-control our municipalities have become with spending – salaries of the highest-paid administrators have risen up to 38 per cent in the last 10 years. What will our newest candidates do about this? As taxpayers (homeowners and businesses), we cannot stand for spiralling costs.
I hear some candidates talking about more police officers to combat crime. They are playing on our fears. Yes, some more officers would be good, but how can we do better with what we have now? Let’s look at reducing waste and duplication in all areas of our city.
Here’s another one: Put safety first and parking revenue second instead of the other way around. How about painting curbs in front of fire hydrants so residents and visitors to our city know where not to park and don’t get tickets? The resources saved from enforcement can go to other programs.
Lastly, some of our communities have become crowded with row houses and small-lot single family homes. Earlier this year a city staffer was quoted as saying “the Clayton Heights experiment…” What? Stop playing with our lives and plan for reasonably spaced communities where two cars can pass on a street without fear of taking a mirror off.
Let’s build communities that are spacious and comfortable for residents and not focus on the all-mighty profit (developers) and tax dollar (city) first.
Carl Markwart, Surrey
