Re: "Residents favour low service over tax increase: survey," The Gazette, Feb. 23.
The mayor is surprised that a percentage of residents would rather see a decrease in services than a tax increase. We are not out of the pandemic yet; people are still without work; basic needs such as food, utility bills, gas, and most goods are increasing in price daily. The mayor and council seem to be unfazed with the reality around them and feel they can continue to spend and tax as much as they please.
Pothole repairs versus art funding — my opinion would be that most taxpayers want decent roads to drive on. The need to spend on needs, not wants, came a long time ago and council ignores that. Constantly increasing taxes and utility rates is not responsible governing. Expecting a never-ending money gravy train provincially and federally is foolish.
Will the mayor and council smarten up with their spending? Probably not. They haven't in the past, much to the surprise and disappointment of a lot of taxpayers.
Let's look back at the last election, 61 per cent of voters did not vote for the current mayor. Change in the thinking and fiscal responsibility of this mayor and council is long overdue.
J. Ritchie, St. Albert
