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THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2003. THE NEW TANNER ll ( OPINION _ ) One good idea The Rockw from taxpayers BY MAGGIE PETRUSHEVSKY The New Tanner The latest Guelph/ Eramosa Taxpayers Asso- ciation (GETA) update provides dne positive note for GETA watchers. For the first time since its in- ception, group organizers have made a concrete and worthwhile suggestion. They are urging concerned citizens to consider seek- ing municipal office at election time this fall. Increasing public participation in municipal races could do more for GETA and the municipal- ity than anything they have attempted thus far. The key however, is to field candi- dates with reasonable intelligence and an open mind. Even so, new coun- cillors are likely to face a rude awakening when they discover just how thor- oughly provincial regulations tie their hands and limit their spending options by forcing compli- ance with provincial regulations. Recent regulations on winter road mainte- nance is an example of how the province ordered municipalities to spend on plowing and sanding/salt- ing in order to meet their rules but provided no cash to offset those expenses. Now the province has set down new rules concern- ing municipal water systems. Again, without any financial aid despite the potentially large costs to implement them. Probably most po- tentially damaging is the notion that municipalities should hold a referendum in order to raise taxes. In »Guelph/Eramosa, for ex- ample, holding a referendum would cost ap- proximately $10,000. If it considers a new fire hall a "nice to have" item, GETA will certainly object to the municipality including such a sum in its budget in order to pay for a potential referendum. That would not be justified by zero based budgeting since it was never done before. The referendum question would need to in- clude both the tax increase and.an extra $10,000 to cover the cost of the vote. Tf residents turn down the tax increase, how does the referendum get paid for? Since municipalities can- not legally run a deficit, they can't carry over such a debt to the next budget. And the municipality cer- tainly won't waste money on a vote if there's suffi- cient funds to avoid one. The rest of their bul- letin however, merely reaffirms what makes GETA watchers grind their teeth in frustration. Their claim that they need to "re- fute the notion that downloading and market assessment were the cause of the huge increases in taxes (the real culprit is the huge increase in spending by the municipalities.)" is enough to bewilder politi- cal observers. Considering the province was responsi- ble for downloading and has been trying to pass the buck to local municipali- ties ever since, what other message would GETA ex- pect the local MPP to give them? GETA claims to have received "nothing but lip service" from local and Wellington County politi- cians. Small wonder when members refuse to make any concrete suggestions concerning budget cuts. When I complain to a busi- ness I must explain exactly how and where they erred. Merely saying I disap- prove of the way they do business allows them to shrug me off as just an- other crank. Considering the steadfast belief in provin- cial politicians and unremitting condemnation of local politicians I must conclude that GETA fits the old saying. There are none so blind as those who will not see. High Diving ale = we te GOOSE GAMES: Motorists tr avelling on Hwy.7 on the curve west of Rockwood are continually amused and fascinated by the antics of about 18 geese decoys which are constantly changed to suit the occasion. -- Above, the geese are obviously engaged in a tug-of-war but they play all sorts of games including diving from towers into swimming pools through the warm weather. - Maggie Petrushevsky photo Nothing like a game of musical chairs to 'keep the feathers in shape.-Maggie Petrushevski photo To the editor, I live in Rockwood and was driving to Guelph on Thursday night and no- ticed the Shell station in town was pumping gas during the blackout. When I came back I figured I might as well top up, so I pulled into the Shell and asked to fill up, they were only taking cash, but un- believably, they had raised the price from around 71 to 89.9. The guy at the pump said it was because he had to run the generator (Laugh- ing out loud). Talk about taking advantage of a situ- ation. ' | was surprised at how courteous most people were at lights and at stores that were open and trying Back To ScnHoot SPECIAL Unlimited Tanning $29.99 (1Month) Re Stephanie 5 Osthetics & Beauly Supplies 15% Discount for all Bia eleie Pedicure, Manicure, Waxing. Call to book an appointment Offer expires Sept. 19, 2003. 519-856-0700 108 Division Street, Unit 6, Rockwood When geese flock together they enjoy themselves with games and silly hats.-Maggie Petrushevski photo Ticked off by high gasoline prices to remain open for people; this is how things are sup- posed to work. It is unfortunate that a few have to try and turn more of a profit at a time like this instead of helping out. 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