Regarding “the Tax bill Cometh” Editorial in June 4 Sounder
A 37.5% tax increase for the Gabriola Fire District, was shocked, as should everyone, so I did some investigation. Here is what I think.
The problem is not the tax increase-in and of itself, in reality it is a symptom of many serious issues, the most fundamental of which is poor decisions, poor management. That is the board of trustee’s responsibility. The buck stops there, they are taxing us, and are not being accountable.
The board, comprised of 7 trustees, do not appear to be able to operate in a professional, open, and, cooperative manner. In my opinion that dysfunction stems from a core group of people who don’t want to give up control/power.
Symptoms also include, a Lawsuit, much staff turnover, staff discontent, budget inflation, lack of openness, inappropriate and undisclosed personal relationships. Given all this , the Board Chair seeks a third term contrary to a previous two term limit recommendation,( that the board chose to disregard). What a mess!
Gabriola, we need to fix this. The upcoming trustee election is an opportunity to get three new experienced people on the board of trustees. Become informed and vote for change.
A Fire Department is normally a pillar of the community, and I believe the firefighters on Gabriola are just that. Don’t let this dysfunctional management problem drag them down. They deserve better, and that is our task, get involved, vote wisely.
~ Gordon Hall
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