If the measure of a great politician is calculated using their ability and desire to create new ways to tax those who elected them, then Canada, British Columbia and Prince George are represented by the best.
If however, their measure is gauged by a desire to find solutions which make use of what is available and to then accept the pain which often comes with that solution -- cutbacks, stricter budgets -- then our city is suffering from mediocre representation.
When paying her bills, I sometimes heard my mother say, "Life is often a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul". Frequently Peter had to do without.
Prince George is a vast city, but unfortunately it is a vast area with a small population. Many open spaces exist between residential and industrial areas.
PG 122, Red Deer 40 (sq. miles), population same.
A good Prince George developer ensures that an additional two or three kilometres of road plus the necessary lines (water, sewer, and storm sewer) are added every year.
Population remaining relatively constant spreads a greater cost factor over the same number of citizens.
Mr. Skakun and Ms. Green, not one to complain without offering a solution, maybe this is the answer to your pothole dilemma.
When you find a company like Hayer Homes filling in the vast spaces between residences (Fifth and Tabor) and not putting in extra roads etc., fine them for not being patriotic Prince Georgians. Don't make it a small fine; charge them at least a million.
The new hotel and condominium being built beside the library is another developer who should be punished for proper thinking.
Off Winnipeg Street, some fool contractor is tearing down old homes and putting up bigger ones. Idiot, this will increase the yearly taxes received on that property and start improving the tax base. Reprimand, reprimand.
If builders won't help city managers play foolishly with our money, then please, City Hall, charge them so that the old and all the new roads being built can be repaired.
It appears Kevin Costner is the managing spirit of Prince George. He heard voices in a corn field "If you build it they will come".
Prince George's council must be hearing them say "You have the open space so build a new subdivision, put in more roads and don't worry. If they build you can tax."
Bill Barnes
Prince George
