Letter of the Day: Diplomat Arrested. Frozen Tax; Painted Lane Markers

Thursday, August 11: Please contact letter@ottawacitizen.com.

Why City Tax Freeze Doesn't Work

Bob Chiarelli's mayoral campaign promise of no tax increases is unrealistic. Much of the city's budget is fixed by labor contracts (police, fire, ambulance, bus drivers, etc.), leaving little room for manipulation. There is none. Also, most must comply with state mandates (public health, social services, childcare, nursing care, etc.).

In addition to higher inflation, the result of no tax increases is savings. Now the question is what to cut. As Chiarelli suggests, deferring projects (roads, sewers, etc.) will not have a significant impact on operations. Most of these are funded by debt, development costs, or joint federal and state funds.

Candidate Mark Sutcliffe's pledge against 'zero-based' budgeting is no panacea either. This happened once, he said, from 2000 to 2006 under his Chiarelli administration, but it required a lot of effort, didn't bring much change, and tax increases were inevitable at the time.

Alex Cullen, Former City Councilman (2000-2010), Ottawa

So what will the City Council do in 2024?49}

If the Ottawa City Council has to freeze the 2023 property tax, how much will the 2024 property tax have to go up to make up the difference?

Peter Hedden , Kanata

Grab your paintbrush, Ottawa Council

It is becoming increasingly clear that the city cannot keep up with the simple day-to-day operations.

Sunday night's rainstorm made driving a nightmare trying to stay in lanes that had disappeared because the paint had worn off.Even just using Bronson Avenue south from Queensway to the airport. , widening and narrowing lanes, obscuring detours, and glare from road headlights. All of this can turn simple driving into a dangerous situation. It is dangerous not only for residents who know the road, but even worse, for travelers and tourists.

Choose a paint and draw a line. Simple. Make it an election issue now and debate it to death.

Brian Vachon, Greely

Don't the police know how to treat diplomats?

Re: Senegal alleges police brutality against diplomats, Gatineau police say officers beatenAug 7

I should have caused an incident, but I don't understand.

Arresting someone who allegedly punched a police officer in the face is certainly routine for the police. If the person is a diplomat (protected by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations), I don't know what they should do. But I'm sure Global Affairs Canada has solved it. Aren't they advising metropolitan police on proper procedures?

Stephen McNamee, Ottawa

Why would you need that two-car garage?

Re: In a male company, Aug. 10.

I enjoyed reading this article. Young couples are encouraged to consider retirement when purchasing a family home. Otherwise, they may face an unsolvable "he abandons her" argument later in life.

Bernard Nunan, Rockland