"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Friday 23 August 2013

Tax Affordability in Aurora

I have been elected about  a dozen times  in Aurora.

I've been a candidate  in twenty or so elections.

I have listened to hundreds of candidates make various commitments in their quest for voter support.

I have never heard a candidate say voters should be prepared to sell their homes  and leave town if they cant afford to pay Aurora's taxes .

Once I heard the Mayor of a neighboring municipality make the statement at a regional council meeting;

"If people can't  afford the  taxes, they should sell their homes and find something they can afford"

Silence immediately fell  upon the room. It was palpable.  As if  the collective breath was being withheld.

The  significance of the  mistake was instantly apparent.

There was no going back.  No explanation possible.

No votes are won on the  promise of higher taxes.

Municipal voters are  well aware of the connection between taxes paid and services rendered.

They vote for an assurance of value  received in return for taxes  paid.

The Mayor of the neighboring municipality was not re-elected or ever elected again for any office.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

But, Evelyn, that was an actual resident on your Blog telling another one that he/she should leave if the taxes seemed onerous. And I'm sure the comment was sincere. It was similar when a woman stood before Council to suggest they work harder on the budget as times were tough on everyone. Complete silence except for lip service which costs nothing.

Anonymous said...

Ah. I remember one Aurora Mayor claiming that Aurora did not Need affordable housing. And one councillor who did not know the location of the Food Pantry.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness. Christopher does mike duffy.

Anonymous said...

Only after he 'did' himself re: water bills.

Anonymous said...

13:51
It's great to have someone who can laugh at himself.

Anonymous said...

18:42, he doesn't strike me as the "laugh at himself" sort. I'm always happy to oblige, though...

Anonymous said...

I know Chris well anf enjoy his banter about issues.He brings topics to the community table and some of us disagee,and others continue to ask questions.He has a following for sure, and an opinion that packs a punch.Like him or not he creates a buzz rather than others who bore.