Dude, we're tapped out

You know what's a day ruiner? Nearly getting hit by a car as you're enjoying a walk to work on a spring morning. I drive too, I get impatient, but jeez, people need to slow down and just chill, especially when they see a pedestrian. Speeding to try and get past them on a side street is just so stupid, so thanks for nearly hitting me, lady in the silver Volkswagen!!!!

Luckily, the day started to look up when I got to work and was extremely busy fielding all sorts of calls today. We had a great call from a lady named Frances who was armed with tonnes of stats on the police service suggested we may have too many police officers in Halifax. It's an argument I've never heard, but it's interesting! Rick got an e-mail suggesting Frances does more research than most city councillors. Ha!

Very interesting at council last night. A tax hike! Yikes. You know it's a serious situation if they're looking at a tax hike in an election year. I kind of just want them to start from scratch. Gloria McCluskey has been calling for an audit of every department for years. It just seems like nothing's ever cut, we just have to always pay more. You know what would come in handy right now? The millions of dollars we let go to the Commonwealth Games Bid Committee. That would eliminate the snow removal debt and give us a little something else to play with. But, hindsight's 20/20 right?

So, the Mayor broke some news yesterday. He says Nova Scotia Power is applying for a 13.8% rate hike! Unbelievable!! Of course, Nova Scotia Power denies it. Well, the proof will be in the UARB application, which Margaret Murphy says they are in the process of filling out for "future hikes". I honestly don't know how people who make minimum wage get by, life is so incredibly expensive just getting the basics, let alone the luxuries. That's why Joan Alexander spent this winter in the cold, along with many others who couldn't afford to heat their homes this year. Yet, we're potentially looking at another increase. Again, streamline your operation, show us you're making cuts too and then ask the taxpayers to pitch in. I don't mind paying more if the service levels go up or there is a superior product to pay for (like Natural gas!), but the taxpayers' trough is dry! We're tapped out, seriously.

Well, enough tax talk. We'll get our fill tomorrow when Rick has a couple of councillors in during the second hour tomorrow.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Amber