Are we the only taxpayers exasperated by the sense of entitlement exhibited by those who believe our local municipality should control the deer population on their behalf? Yet another new government program to be funded, of course, by the increasingly burdened Saanich homeowner.
In the past few years, there have been letters to the editor complaining about the ever-rising property taxes in the district. Well, guess what? This is why property taxes increase relentlessly year after year.
We believe that programs such as roads, garbage, and parks are supported by a vast majority of citizens, who are willing to pay for these valuable services provided by our local government. We believe, however, that many residents (including us) simply won’t want to contribute towards a deer control program.
In fact, in the district’s latest “Citizens Survey 2012,” an amazing 71 per cent of residents indicated that they would prefer less municipal services to increased property taxes.
We believe, therefore, that any deer control program must be a user-pay system. One suggestion is for the CRD to contract with Groupon to set up an online, coupon-style system of collecting funds.
Those residents who wish to control the deer can volunteer funds towards the cost of the program. Those who don’t want to participate simply don’t contribute.
If sufficient funds are volunteered to fund the entire cost, then the new program proceeds. If adequate funds are not received, then the program is cancelled; let residents vote with their own wallet.
Dave and Shari Poje
Saanich
