At last week’s town council meeting, Paradise councillors decided they would finally take some action on a fire hall for the town. There has been some debate as to whether the town could afford it’s own 24/7 fire services, primarily from the slow response times to some areas within town. A fire in June resulted in a home being totally destroyed.
So what has the council decided to do to settle this issue “once and for all”? A plebiscite. Seriously. And to make matters worse, it comes with the caveat that a fire hall means the mill rate will increase a full point. So, if a house is worth $300,000, the homeowner is on the hook for $300 extra a year in taxes. Guess how the vote is going to turn out.
This is dead before it gets off the ground. As much as a fire hall is needed, nobody is going to vote for a tax increase. And with the taxes we pay, we shouldn’t have too. My taxes have increased significantly in the 15 years I have been living here and I haven’t seen a change in the services provided. Moreover, with the steady increase in property values (and resulting tax windfall for the town) and increases in the mill rate, we have paid enough. The council is simply trying to cover their collective asses. Just read the five-year strategic plan as proof. Nowhere is a fire hall, or plebiscite for that matter, mentioned.
A question that begs to be asked is this: if the mill rate or property taxes increase in the next three or four years, will the money go to offset he cost of a fire hall?
No, this is the easy way out for the council and they should be ashamed of themselves. They know what the result of the vote is going to be. We voted them in to make decisions like this - it’s what councillors sign up for. Now they turn around and ask us to make a decision for them? Perhaps it’s their way of having a clear conscience in the event someone is injured or killed in a fire. I thought at least a few of the councillors were bigger than that.
I wonder if they would have a plebiscite on the arena?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it. While there is a lot of support in town, only 1000 people signed the petition. The arena wouldn't fly for those without water and sewer. And those without kids too I guess.
ReplyDeleteWorse yet, the Mayor presented the fire hall as a done deal during the election last fall, announcing that it would be co-located with the Rovers new facility next to town hall. Surely that couldn't have just been to get votes?
ReplyDeleteYou're right Jay, he did say the fire hall was a done deal. It was one of his great talking points during the campaign. And you don't think a politician would make such a claim for votes do you? Heaven forbid :)
ReplyDeleteI think in the last two months alone, he and council have flip-flopped on this issue a number of times. From yes, everyone knows the Rovers will have a building, to we'll have a fully manned firehall in 18 to 24 months, to no firehall until a study is completed, to let's have a vote and settle this "once and for all".
I'm curious - if we don't vote for a fire hall in the fall, does he mean we'll never, have one?
As an aside, it was quite amusing to see one of the Mayoral Candidates say at the debate, "well who is going to respond to fire calls when the Rovers are out on Signal Hill rescuing some tourist?"
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling a Paradise Fire hall is a "done deal" only during election time or just after SJRFD takes 35 mins to get to the St. Thomas Line.
I have a feeling a Paradise Fire hall is a "done deal" only during election time or just after SJRFD takes 35 mins to get to the St. Thomas Line.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling you are right, unfortunately. I once emailed the SOB on another matter and asked “Are you stupid?”
I hate asking rhetorical questions.
Two reasons:
ReplyDelete1) I might have won
2) I couldn't stand to listen to people like me
"Why are you hitting yourself on the head with a hammer?"
ReplyDeleteThe standard answer is, "Cause it feels so good when I stop!"
Entering municipal politics is for people who answer, "Cause it feels so good!"