On Friday, Feb. 25 in my mail was a letter from the Town of Qualicum Beach containing a bill for 17 cents with a futile explanation that this amount includes alleged unpaid water and sewer bills of 2010. In addition, I was informed that any amount still not paid by March 25, would be transferred to “Arrears Tax” as from Jan. 1, 2011 and interest at 6 per cent would be charged daily.
Because of this alleged offense, I went directly to the bank to change a Loonie into quarters and cents, and then went to the town office where I arranged the 17 cents on the front desk. The woman there gave me a receipt but did not appear to be concerned when I pointed out that the postage meter imprint showed mailing charge of 59 cents.
Thus it cost us, the taxpayers, 59 cents to recover 17 cents.
I asked to see the treasurer but was told he was unavailable as he was in a meeting — a convenient excuse.
I suggest that the mayor spend less time posing for photographs for the press and devote some of it to check on the treasurer’s department.
F.H. Seymour
Qualicum Beach
