Garbage Facts ~ M. Vanderhoef

A couple of years ago, TIRRA decided to get into the garbage business.  Several plans were discussed but our present system was approved, much to the chagrin of the people who had other ideas.  

The present system was approved by TIRRA, by its members only. One pays a fee for the privilege of belonging to TIRRA.  The rest of the island residents were not allowed to vote on this issue.  I quit TIRRA!

TIRRA got its plan and the money to pay for it was to come as a tax included in our property taxes – this is known as “taxation without representation.”  Obviously, TIRRA membership recognizes this and has now benignly permitted the rest of us to vote on this “referendum.”

The referendum was called by TIRRA when we denied them permission to change the garbage tax from $40,000 to $100,000. I’m sorry but when anyone demands two and half times the money for a job which they initially said they could do for $40,000 you have to say “whoa.”  You cannot just throw money at a problem and hope it disappears. 

•  (TIRRA)  Either give us the money or we’ll let CVRD do it. 
o There is no other option.
• (TIRRA) We’ll loose our independence.
o  We already lost it when TIRRA got permission to add this tax to the property taxes.
•  (TIRRA)CVRD charges really high rates.
o  I believe that’s what is known as “an erroneous inexactitude” and relatively easy to disprove. 
• (TIRRA)You’re forcing us to waste over $12,000 on a referendum.
o No one forced a referendum TIRRA requested it.  Furthermore, I’m questioning the legality of TIRRA using tax money meant for the garbage business, to finance this referendum.  I’m glad I’m not the one signing that cheque.

Sorry folks you’ve worked hard, done a great job, but the figures don’t lie.  It’s not working, it’s too expensive, try another plan there are several in your notes from a few years ago.

Martin Vanderhoef