"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

Monday 25 June 2012

What Cause?

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Less You Know":

The Town does not pay the taxes (except the York Region portion perhaps)that you cite. It simply writes off the receivable. However, it looks good for your cause.

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Here's what I know about the Legion and  taxes. 
Business complained to the government about unfair competition from Legions in the catering  business because they do not  pay property tax.. 
The Federal government is responsible for Veteran's Services. The Province is responsible for property taxes.
So,which ever one was responsible made the decision  to pass the decision on the Legion paying taxes,  to the Regions to decide.
York Region decided there should be no change.
It means  the Region  gets its cut of  Legion taxes, paid to them  by the town.
The Board of Education gets its cut of  Legion taxes from the Town  
On the books, Legion taxes are shown as paid. The Town  takes  funds from general revenue and pays the Region and the Board of Education and of course, receives no share itself. 
In effect, local business  provides employment, contributes to the local economy, pay taxes and a share of  Legion taxes who are competing with them for local business.
 These facts I have learned from speaking to people in the know in the municipal tax business. I have that access.
In the meantime old soldiers do die and veterans are fewer on the ground. Legion services were scant recognition of the sacrifices made by Canadians during World War 1 and 2.
If you weren't there you have  no idea.  
I am not citing things for ' my cause"  I am  providing information 
to people who  might  have an interest but never  a reason to ask.
I think  it's  good for people  to be informed about town business.
I don't know a reason to be coy about it .
In Aurora ,we have two buildings on Legion property whose taxes we are carrying.
They have water and sewers, fire and police protection. Garbage pick-up  and snow plowing and  lit road  access to their property. Soon they will have sidewalks on both sides of their street.  I'm not sure if they are billed for water and sewer service but I do know they don't pay for any of the rest of it.    


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You sure that we are paying for both buildings share of the Region and Ed taxes, or just the local branch? One of the buildings is actually "Ontario Command HQ", so Aurora should not be soaking that up in any case. The province should.

Anonymous said...

The Legion is not a government organization. However, the work done by Legion members over the years is stellar. True, the veterans of WW I are gone and the veterans of WW II are dwindling. We however have vets from Korea, Vietnam (yes there were some), as well as the various peace-keeping roles and the various expeditions over the last 20 years in the Gulf, Afghanistan, Bosnia, etc.

To give them a break on property taxes seems to be a small price to pay.

If we are looking at tax opportunities, what about churchs?