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Yet another case of how low politicians will stoop to achieve their ends of fleecing the public (much like what Wall Street GREED has done) any and every which way they can, has now happened in our very own community of the Crowsnest Pass. I speak to the new 'improved', tax them any way you can, squeeze them till they bleed, Property Tax Penalties Bylaw (top of page 7, Bylaw 836). Otherwise known as the ruthless and heartless, evil and sinister, "we found a new 'backdoor' way to raise additional revenue".
This week, mayor and council (those pampered and smug guardians of the public purse) passed said Bylaw (that I spoke to on a previous post) and in doing so attacked the poor and defenseless in our community by way of a diabolically, mean-spirited and sinister (tax) penalty, far in excess of what was already a very healthy return on fines from delinquent taxpayers who failed to pay their property taxes on time. Do the math! A bank loan today at 3-4% acquired by the municipality to carry them over until the property owner pays (and they ALL eventually pay one way or another i.e. the municipality always collects what is owing albeit sometimes they have to wait up to 3 years... but they ALWAYS collect, over and above), not only his or her property tax but an additional annual 20%+ (compound interest) late payment surcharge penalty (tax) is charged, is how things have been. But now their greedy insatiable appetite wants even more and has just increased this
By way of an example (to prove a point on this issue of unconscionable diabolical GREED on the part of our elected officials), with the current 1 million dollars plus in outstanding taxes @ 50%, that works out to $500,000 plus in fines by way of criminal usury fees, in my opinion, on the backs of our ever growing poor and disenfranchised, by greedy and unscrupulous individuals who see a way of filling their depleted coffers, not on the backs of them and their rich friends in this community (who depleted it in the first place, and who have never paid their fair share), but on the backs of politicians of late favourite target. Those who are marginalized, weak and defenseless i.e. the poor and bankrupt (e.g. of the latter, bankrupt developers and their investors who have been victimized and left on the hook with lengthy court proceedings tying things up leaving investors and the municipality in an untenable situation... that includes arrears on property taxes.
Re-victimizing investors and poor residents, is no way to run a municipality that professes to care about ALL its residents... those already here, and those who wanted to be.
It should of never been allowed to happen that we would elect such a licentiousness mayor and council (after the previous mayor and council(s) practically bankrupted this municipality through gross mismanagement to the point where there is more month than there is money these days) that would not only come up with such a 'brainy' idea but actually vote in 'unanimously' this 50% tax grab, on top of a tax already (I thought only Revenue Canada could get away with this shit?!) .
There you have it folks. Don't forget to vote next election... but NOT for these guys!
Unless you think it's okay to condone and encourage that the little guy get screwed this way? Bearing in mind, you will be emboldening these people and the ever growing long list of 'others' waiting in the wings to join in the FREE LUNCH at the expense of our long suffering Crowsnest Pass taxpayer.
Scrooge times seven over, is unfortunately what we got here in the Pass.
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'
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21 comments:
Hi John,
Looks like the public is scared of that crew or they don't allow the public in those meetings. Organize a delegation or what ever you have to do. This is the most ignorant By-Law that I ever heard in my life time. Just because they have been elected they figure they can turn around and rape the public. "What a crew!"
Not one of them has the common sense to see this was an ignorant By-Law it looks like no one is registered as saying "I'm not voting for this." Does that mean the whole crew has no common sense what so ever? You guys are in for torture for the next few years. My condolenses.
It seems your mayor and council first aids developers in screwing people who invest in your community, and then adds insult to injury by taxing them to death. You've got yourself quite a community there Johnny boy. :-0
Crowsnest Promoter:
"Vanoni said penalty income is an additional source of revenue..."
It sure is, and this council is going after it like a dog on a bone. Its shameful.
Rick
Council's decision was 'unanimous'. Who fought for us? Nobody on this council.
These two-faced bastards will probably be volunteering at the food bank over the holidays, showing what loving, caring and compassionate people they are.
I’m sure most people know by now that our world today is based on illusion. This will be just one more. The spectacle will create an image for the public mind that they're seeing ‘truth’. When in fact, the reality is quite different. Like they say, "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."
This council has crossed the line as far as I'm concerned by declaring 'class war' on the working poor... or worse, in this community. As a result, they and their kind in my opinion need a dose of reality to wake them to the real world, and the difficult times many are going through these days (especially now at Christmas) while smug and arrogant 'bubble' living CFO's, mayor and council extort monies from those who can least afford it, like the blood sucking scrooge vipers they all are.
Well, that's going to stop! It stops right here.
JP
Where is our media over all this? Afraid to bite the hand that feeds it? Useless pri-ks!
Diane
Below is the answer to your question Diane...
"The press is so powerful in its image-making role, it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing."
Isn't that what our media is doing in this case?
And yes, you are right Diane, they don't want to rock the boat with their tax payer funded FREE meal ticket, and therefore they hold their collective noses and give us fluff and bake sales, instead of reporting injustices and advocating for the people who buy their newspapers. Unless of course you threaten their meal ticket, then they come out with fire in their belly, but only if it's an issue that concerns them personally or their friends. The rest of us, especially the poor and downtrodden, can go to hell.
Remember that the next time you support these people with your loonie, or with your advertising dollars. You in fact will be supporting your oppressors. Is that really what you should be doing?
JP
Just posted the following comment to Councillors' Saiden and Gallant's blogs, so that they know where at least one resident stands on this issue...
"Here is what I think about your newly revised 'Property Tax Bylaw' that unfairly targets and discriminates against the poor and downtrodden in our community, and those investors who have been victimized already by our former mayor and council(s) by way of collusion with shady real estate developers, who now find themselves being victimized again, by you and your council."
p.s. Knowing as I do they fear venturing outside their own blogs where they have no control to edit or delete comments from the public, as which Gallant does much too frequently, I feel this is the best way to get both a possible dialogue, and venue for expressing our outrage at their recent actions.
If you my reader feel as I do that what is being done by these individuals is both wrong and unjust, then stand up and be counted by voicing your opinion on their blogs.
http://emilesaindon.wordpress.com/
http://briangallant.ca/wordpress/
JP
John, it is difficult to say whether the increase in the property tax penalty is related to the need to increase revenue to feed the bloated Administration. Could be. The Bureaucracy has become way way larger than is needed for the size of the Crowsnest Municipality. These guys are out of control and have a very high opinion of themselves as Managers and Administrators.
Once a Consulting firm sets up shop in the hallowed halls, as was the case after the departure of the previous Head, it is but a short step before it indoctrinates and seduces the Administration into thinking that they need an overhaul. That is what these guys do. Look at their web site to see how they operate. Did they not consider the size of the Crowsnest tax base when they made these decisions?
The result here includes a bigger and better Org Chart, that involves more and higher paid positions, AND the subordinates for them - if not now, they are coming. Never ends. Heck, the Crowsnest Municipality is way overstaffed for the needs to manage 6,000 souls. Just where does it think the money to support this Albratross will come from? Ridiculous!!!
Just like with any School Administration, the overhead staff become way overstaffed and self-serving, and overwhelmed with their importance, while the teachers themselves -- the reason there is an Administration -- become secondary. Where will it end?
Jose
Jose, one thing is for certain. They're not going to do it on the backs of the poor, as long as I'm around.
I've had it over the years with a dumb-down public, cowardly administrators, self-serving mayors, and weak-kneaded councillors. All of whom conspired to screw the little guy in this community time after time... and still do.
It's time to say enough is enough and take back our community from those who have only themselves and their rich friends’ interests at heart. I say we start making those establishment types who sit on various boards and committees here, milking the system every chance they get, while portraying themselves as selfless benefactors to the community, ante up. Invest in your community with your dollars, instead of just with your mouths!
Every year for quite some time now, taxes go up, service/utility charges go up, services cuts, facilities closed, etc., etc., etc. with no signs whatsoever that the ones we have in charge know what they are doing, or even where they are going? Year after year, paying more and more, getting less and less, with still no jobs, no business, no industry and no hope... for far too many in this community.
We thought with these new guys that I like referring to as the ‘suits’... I call them this because I can’t believe that this community with its history of blue collar workers, tough and hardy miner types are so brainwashed to believe that some of their own cannot do a better job than these so called ‘professionals’ they keep putting in?... all of our problems would be solved. Instead they divide the community into the haves and have-nots and run it for the benefit of the former, at the expense of the latter.
That’s got to change!
btw Jose, as usual your observations are outstanding. You summed up quit well and accurately our particular situation here in the Pass. But then, you have proven yourself on numerous occasions to be an ‘astute’ individual... with good taste in choosing friends. Thank you for your comment, my friend. :-)
JP
Hi John, just popping in to give you a high five for taking the moral high road against the current band of rogues that the CNP 'just had to vote into office'. Has anybody stopped buying the local rags yet? A good place to start by hurting the 'ol bottom line. I read Emile Saindon's blog reply to your post. the reply that he feels the land developers should be contacting the Municipality to arrange payment of taxes truly made me laugh and laugh and laugh . . . The BBoys in front of council saying 'Please sir may we have more time to pay? Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, er, um sorry John, the ignorance of council as to how the real world works is astounding.
Jose, kudos for another bang on insight on the current state of the CNP. I also responded to your post on the Millenians, right on.
Take good care.
Chloe, It's nice to hear from you again. Thanks for your comment and your support.
With respect to commenting on the Millenians in regards to Jose's comment. I never received a comment from you? Only Jose and myself commented on that particular post.
JP
I have just posted a follow up comment on Brian Gallant's blog with respect to this post.
You can read it there, or here.
JP
I have also posted a follow up comment on Emile Saindon's blog with respect to this post.
You can read it there, or here.
JP
John, I posted this message to Mr Gallants blog but it hasn't been put up yet..
"the real victims are the citizens of the crowsnest pass and thats where it ends Brian??? The investors are not real victims?? Tell that to the one's who have lost their homes in this scam aided along by the past mayor and a couple of his councillors (who coincidentally enough have left town)...tell that to the investors who's mariiage has been destroyed by the financial ruin..the investors who have lost their health due to stress and anxiety. Naww, they are not victims at all..
Check out the Bridgecreek promotional video. Nice piece by your ex mayor. People invested in good faith thinking this was on the up and up, and many saw the fact that your mayor praised these guys as a sign of credibility...fooled again.
So who's the victims again?"
Anon @5:33
I doubt he will post it. He didn't post my comment above, or others I know about. It should be obviouys to most people by now that Gallant is nothing but a bully and control freak who is afraid of dissenting opinions, and knows not how to defend a position in free and open debate because he is a closed-minded type of individual. A very small man indeed.
I give Saindon credit, he didn't reply either (not in a meaningful way) but at least he posted my comments.
Both councillors however have proven by their actions that they are a waste of time and human skin when it comes to truly representing the public. And therefore should be avoided. But, unfortunately, they are two of what the Pass is stuck with for at least the next two years.
JP
Why does Councillor Gallant even have a blog if all he's interested in is hearing himself speak? Top-down vs bottom-up management styles is not conducive to people in public office. Doesn't he know that?
Hi John,
I can't see why you guys are picking on
Mr Brian Gallant, he told you over a year ago that he wasn't interested in anything but the Mayor's vision. Not very smart, but very consistant. More debates before the election would have helped you guys figure him out. What he was up to and what he stands for.
Now it looks like he's laying down, like a real pro------e. Wake me up when you're done.
Fred Poirier said...
Hi John,
I googled Gail Sygutek's name to find out a story from Nathen Gallacher "New Faces Dominate Election Results". I see that Brian Gallant doesn't have a clue of how a council works. He said "that he is looking forward to seeing the mayors vision for the municipality and helping towards that vision" Now you know why they all vote the same on the advertising issue. Mr Gallant, what about the vision of the people that elected you, doesn't it count? I see there was 1410 of them, if the mayor voted for you that was only one vote. Why does he get 100% of you power? Don't forget the mayor is just the mouth piece for the council. He can't decide anything on his own. The way you plan to work on this council it looks more like a kingdom in a phony DEMOCRACY. You vision should be what the people that elected you need, what they want, find out by talking to them and bring their ideas to the council.
My suggestion to you is "Put you brain in gear before it's too late" Because mayors are known to manipulate in these small communities.
Thank You.
December 19, 2010 5:46 PM
Fred, I get the sense that Gallant is more the 'Madam', rather than just one of the prostitutes, as you call them. Somebody on council had to have spearheaded this initiative (unless, of course, the bequest came by way of our municipality's "keener" CFO?)?
If so, then Gallant might be smarter than you think?... and as such, to diabolical and dangerous for our community’s future i.e. more a menace than a saviour.
Interesting that we don't see any of them standing up to take credit for this Bylaw, against the poor and bankrupt, do we? No one apparently wants this one attached to their name, preferring, instead, the anonymity of a 'council decision'. Ya, right! Now instead of one, they’ll ALL burn at the stake come next election!
JP
Council Minutes - Tuesday, November 29, 2011
M#-6336-11: Councillor Gallant moved First Reading of the Property Tax Penalties Bylaw No. 836, 2011.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Well, I guess you got your 'madam', John. :-)
Hi John,
Now that Anonymous 3:50 has identified the madam I would like you to put names on top of those heads in that picture with that we can make an identification of what a madam looks like. Which one is the pimp? Which one takes the money to the bank? Which one is the chicken shit, not using his own ideas to make a serious decision like this. The look of the animal tells you a lot about what you can expect from them or how they would perform for you. Here, not one is on the public's side. Not good, very disterbing. The council seems to have chosen to run the place like a real brothel, nothing matters but money. Don't look for compassion here. If you can't pay your taxes, leave town and don't come back.
Maybe this would be a good place to start a Mustang Ranch to attract tourists and generate cash. You already have the madam who is well connected give it a try.
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