Taxpayers can’t afford costly council decisions

Letter to the Editor Simcoe.com August 30 2010
There are times in our lives when we are struggling with an issue and suddenly the “light” goes on in our brain and we say eureka! Well while attending recent New Tecumseth committee of the whole meetings, I have been following the town’s fiscal developments in these very difficult economic times.
Back in July, the treasury department submitted to council the half-year town budget results.
Because of a favourable balance being turned back in from the Roads Department, $100,000 subject to the sale of town property for the assumed value of $550,000, we may have a small surplus.
At last week’s meeting, council had a request from the treasurer to seek permission secure a further debenture in the amount of $1,450,000. But before this matter of debit and debentures was dealt with, one of the council members submitted a motion for part of Patterson Street in Beeton be resurfaced out of the “possible surplus” that may or may not materialize.
This “state of” the budget when laid out and reviewed in the cold light of day is an unacceptable state of affairs that makes for an uncomfortable shoe for the taxpayers of our town to wear in the years ahead.
It is not how much our council wishes to spend that is on the minds of the voters at this upcoming municipal election, it is how much will it cost and how are the taxpayers going afford pay higher taxes to pay off this amount of debt.
If the surplus is not generated then we could be in a just break even scenario or worse, we could be $550,000 in the red.
When is the “light” going to go on with council that there is not enough money in the pockets of the residents of New Tecumseth to continue this wanton display of spending and lack of accountability.
Gordon McInnes,
New Tecumseth
Candidate for Ward 2 (Alliston southwest)