Controversial words from members of the community relative to my statement in the Sooke News Mirror, August 31-2011, are meant to make it seem as if I can’t count. I can count and I can understand just fine. I will always ask questions and make proper investigations. I can also clarify things that seem murky or questionable.
People of the District of Sooke, I invite you to see money amounts broken down into proper portions so that you can understand. Tax revenues, grants and Park Reserve Funds are of great importance in openly discussing project costs in and with the community. Casino funds grants from the BC Provincial Government to the District of Sooke level of government, were indeed awarded by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General using collected casino funds.
I was not mistaken in my use of the term grant, relative to the purchase of land for our boat launch.The amount of the B.C. government casino grant was $274,000 then $300,000 came from our collected tax base and $341,000 came from our Park Reserve Fund to equal $915,000. The Park Reserve Fund is where some amenity contributions go and all monies from selling park land go.
After all grants, including casino grants($200K) and in kind monies are calculated, taxpayers in Sooke are paying $335,000 out of $1.74 million for the boat launch. This was improperly reported as “taxpayers in Sooke are paying $635,000” in Aug. 31 front page article. Add land and the total is $2,655,000 with a total cost to taxpayers of only $635,000.
To claim that taxpayers are paying for everything every time there is a payment no matter where the money comes from is confusing and meant to be, by some. Clarity is what we need in our society and here it is… listen to who you want to. Enough of the bad mouthing of responsible people. Whether I am elected or not, I will continue to speak and clarify issues in the community for the greater good of all.
Measuring tapes ready… mine is 100’.
Moonfist- Myke
Colbert
Sooke
(Editor’s note: the numbers referred to in the Aug. 31 front page story were written as given by CAO Evan Parliament.)
