A disgruntled taxpayer is taking a unique approach to raise his concerns with the candidates for city council.
Laurie MacIntosh has launched a website, www.lauriemacintosh.com, soliciting responses from candidates regarding a change to city policy which allegedly resulted in his home at 7322 Thompson Drive being
flooded.
"I'm just a frustrated taxpayer who is being jerked around by City Hall. If it's happening to me, it's happening to others," MacIntosh said. "I'm just tired of turning the other cheek."
According to MacIntosh, the city changed its policy regarding clearing drainage ditches in February, 2010. The change, he said, means the city did not clear the drainage ditch behind his property, which resulted in water building up and flooding his basement and property in
April 2011.
MacIntosh said he suffered thousands of dollars in damage to his home as a result of the flooding.
Under the B.C. Local Government Act, the city cannot be held accountable for the failure of sewer or
drainage systems.
Through his website, MacIntosh is asking candidates if they would change the way City Hall deals with issues like his.
As of Monday, he had received responses from mayoralty candidates Dan Rogers, Brandon Lewis and Bruce Fader, and council candidates Scot Affleck, Joanne Dickenson, Myrt Turner, Dorothy Friesen, John Beebe, Harry Ulch, Garth Frizzell, Murry Krause, Debora Munoz and Albert Koehler.
City communications manager Mike Davis said the city is not commenting on the issue, because it
remains before the courts.
