To the Editor,
Corporate executives’ prime directive is to maximize profits.
Working families budget to cut costs to plan for future expenses.
Is city council’s mandate to be a benevolent employer and offer higher wages and benefits than what private sector taxpayers earn?
In Port Alberni’s full employment heyday, firemen doubled as paramedics and we weren’t weighted with a $300,000 McLean Millstone around our neck.
Does council fear offending voters by levelling the playing field or is it because we don’t get big snowfalls, and are the lowest taxed in B.C. and won’t say anything about it— even when we have a mouthful?
If we don’t attract industry, will we be Canada’s geriatrics and welfare capital? If our pulp mill shuts down like Prince Rupert’s, will we embrace coal? Can coal be more hazardous to our health than BC Hydro smart meters or wi-fi?
If the “Hernando’s Hideaway” uptown is an exclusive club that bars its doors to Joe Lunchbucket but pays taxes (without church subsidy) and even funds charities, would its owners or those of Char’s Landing manage McLean Mill?
If council rented it for a $1/year, tax free, could we save $200,000-plus yearly?
R. Frankow,
Port Alberni