Local government's first responsibility is necessary infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer services.
However, the City of Prince George is failing to pay the cost of essentials while spending tax revenue on options such as the Winter Games.
I pay my bills when due, including city taxes. The city does not. By failing to pay the annual cost of road rehabilitation, the city is accumulating a large road debt that must eventually be paid.
Defaulting on debt payments is short-sighted and irresponsible. Delaying payment of our road debt escalates road maintenance costs.
Postponing road rehabilitation means paying rising asphalt costs while
causing damage to vehicles.
Citizens are embarrassed by the appalling state of Prince George roads.
Visitors ask "Why don't you fix your roads?"
City councillors claim that the legacy of the Winter Games will be civic pride.
Yet athletes will see collapsing roads while the city ignores the road debt.
Perversely, civic pride now means scoring five of 10 spots on BCAA's list of the worst roads in British Columbia.
Voters are angry because city councillors blame the weather rather than accepting responsibility for defaulting on the road debt.
Voters are angry because they realize how misguided spending and neglect of infrastructure got us into this disgraceful mess.
Voters are angry seeing roads rot while city councillors beg senior governments for handouts, or propose constitutional amendments in order to tax gasoline or oil.
Infrastructure is not an option. If we cannot afford roads, we cannot afford optional luxuries.
Whether we pay from the federal left pocket or the local right pocket, we need our roads fixed now.
Glen Nicholson
Prince George
