Quote:
Originally Posted by vid
Our population is going down and literally half of council was present for the Strong Towns town hall last fall where it was explained that this kind of development is causing serious financial difficulties in American cities. 
We're like Detroit, not because of the crime rate, but because of the way we just run away from problems, as if moving another kilometre away will fix anything. |
Try telling people, especially the age 40+ club, that their lifestyle and desire to live on estate sized lots is the cause of tax increases. People don't get it, and don't want to understand it. They want the status quo. Unfortunately for them, the only constant in the world is change. Your stats on km's of road and other services versus population over time tell the whole story.
One can easily blame the city in general, and blame the city again for allowing these types of development. But ultimately the electorate keeps demanding new subdivisions further and further away from the cores, so someone who wants into office is going to tell the electorate what they want to hear. Its ultimately the citizens of pretty well every North American city that need to take a serious reality pill (whether that be pay more to keep the current lifestyle or build up).
In my opinion, while some of the recent tax increases are hard to swallow at times, we still get a really good return on investment for the tax dollars we pay. Try and get the private sector to provide the number and breadth of services the city provides for less. I'm fortunate I'm not on a fixed income though... can't understand how some people can still do it.
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