Editor:
Prince Rupert city employees, whether they be management or labourers, are living very well here in this northern community.
Yes, indeed, this is the city with the highest of property taxation to its residents (unless you happen to live in Shaughnessy or perhaps high end Granville Street in Vancouver) in British Columbia. And what about the taxation rate to businesses, (upwards of three times the norm in British Columbia). I am also told that the City of Prince Rupert has some of the most stringent and strict by-laws in the province or perhaps that of the whole country.
So, are we the taxpayers, paying our city managers and employees to stay here in Prince Rupert? Giving them bonuses and wage incentives.
Being semi- retired, with a small business, I find it difficult to make ends meet at the end of every month. I manage to make it through though. I personally do not earn the salary which the civic employees of Prince Rupert earn, (some would say that I live on the edge of poverty) and, I would make a bet that there are many other residents of this city who are in the same boat as I am myself.
When I reach age 65 years, a little down the road, I am going to have to consider leaving the city of rainbows. I cannot afford to live here. The taxes together with the city utilities, which my family pays to the City of Prince Rupert, amounts to three months worth of my total income.
How many managers does it take to manage the Public Works. Well, I am not so certain, but one thing is for certain - there are a lot more than there were six years ago. The Public Works was run by one manager back then and he was told to be frugal. Many of the extra hours he worked, he never charged his employer for. He was an active part of the cities volunteer work force. Do we see this any more?
Cut corners, cut corners to the residents (the taxpayer). Give them less services. But do we cut the wages of the civic employee, no!!! It is about time to start a tax payers revolt. It is time for the taxpayers to go on strike.
Why are we paying such wages and salaries to these civic employees?
Mike Calli