City-run trailer parks a ‘disgraceful’ waste - Dan Melanson

A 2.9-per-cent tax increase, and councillors, with the exception of (Ward 8 Coun. Fabio) Belli, are thinking they have done a good job. (Ward 6 Coun. Ron) Dupuis even goes so far as to chastise councillor Belli for stating the obvious — they need to cut spending to achieve a lower tax rate.

A perfect opportunity to cut some spending would be for council to pass a motion to close the trailer parks permanently as of right now and cut the staff positions that maintain the buildings, collect the rents and perform all of the other necessary tasks involved with the operation of a trailer park business.

They could also dispose of the equipment such as the rider mowers and loaders, ect., that are on site to maintain the parks during the months that they are operated. They could immediately declare the parks surplus and put them up for sale.

What council could do is make a significant reduction in spending, which would in turn bring down the tax rate. But what do they do at the community services committee meeting Monday night? They once again defer for a study.

If ever there was a single issue that epitomizes the waste of our tax dollars, this is it. Anyone with the slightest inkling of common sense would look at the issue of the city operating seasonal trailer parks, and say “sold.” There is nothing to study, period.

The city has no obligation or responsibility to provide or operate trailer parks under any known legislation.

For this council not to immediately act to end this utterly disgraceful and blatant waste of taxpayers’ money is the ultimate display of disdain for the average taxpayer by our elected representatives.

If council is unwilling to do the right thing, all I can say is October 2014 can’t come soon enough.

Dan Melanson
president, Greater Sudbury
Taxpayers Association