Positive steps warranted to address current city issues

By Lethbridge Herald on December 10, 2022.

Editor:

There is a direct connection running through three recent news items.

First, city council’s decision to increase property taxes by almost six per cent.

Second, the photo and letter presented by Mr. McAdams of a singed wall due to a fire against a downtown building.

And lastly, the study by University of Calgary presented to a group called Civic Works Standing Policy Committee, pointing out there are vacant buildings downtown. 

The City’s conclusion on considering the vacant buildings? The response was quoted, “What are the ‘forward thinking’ opportunities that we could do as a city to help transition something into being more economically productive?”

In case the City has not thought of the following, here are some observations made at Coffee Row:

1. Reduce property taxes downtown. Paying $11,000 annually for a building 30 feet wide is challenging. It scares away most tenants.

2. Address vagrancy. The defecation and the fires are not irritants. They are dangerous.

3. Reduce government expenses. Every city counsellor should know points 1 and 2 above, and should know there are vacant properties downtown. A study by the University of Calgary doesn’t add much.

4. Know the City’s boundaries. The City does not own the vacant properties. 

Property owners would love to have renters. The City’s job is not to ponder ‘forward thinking’ (to differentiate that thinking from mere reminiscing I suppose) – nor is it to worry about transitioning into something more economically productive. 

Might there be a connection between the high property taxes, and the university studies and committee deliberations and city salaries to observe the problems, but still overlook the obvious?

I urge the City to take prompt positive steps.

Frank de Walle

Lethbridge