Withholding of grants a spiteful gov’t move Dear Editor: In response to W. Flamma’s admonition in the June 16 News to ‘let the tax revolt continue,’’ I have compiled the following re- -cord of tax increases for the years 1991 through 1993, which may be typical for retired seniors living in West Vancouver. Tax increases (%) School tax — net 1991-1992 .......... 28.1% : 1992-1993 .....:... 155.0% . 1993-1993 ......... 226.5% Muncipa! — total 1991-1992 ..........4. 5.8% 1992-1993 .......... 10.6% 1991-1993 .......... 17.0% -GYVRD and misc. 1991-1992 1992-1993 vo... 1991-1993 wo. Total taxes 1991-1992 ... 1992-1993 . » 41.85% 1991-1993 0.0.2... 56.24% A 30% increase in. our 1993 rassessment, the discriminatory loss of our: entire seniors’ homeowner grant and the general cost in- creases in the school system have all had profoundly negative im- pacts on our school taxes. ‘The overall: impact _ measured as follows: Net school taxes “As a.% of 1991 school tax A NOOD ce ececceeeeee 100% 1992 .. wos 128% 1993, « 327% - As a %_of annual total tax.» "1991. 18.4% 1992 voeccccsseiscevee 21.4% 1993 .eccccceccesesses 38.4% sere 925% 15.9% 26.6% eee 10.15% can be Asa % of municipal taxes 1901 wo... « 25.0% 1992 0.0... s. 30.3% 1993 vecccesecscessese 69.7% Note: School taxes are net of the basic grant only — the 1991 supplementary grant is not includ- ed in the comparisons. The 155% increase in our 1993 school] taxes has left us stunned and uncertain as to: our financial ability io handle future tax in- creases, since it will now take a full year of OAS pension income to pay our property taxes. Clearly, the school system is’ becoming a financial disaster as well as an academic disgrace and the government’s discriminatory withholding of homeowner grants is in the worst. tradition of spiteful, political ideology which takes no account of the wide disparity between ‘‘praperty value” and ‘‘income’’ which many retired couples face. The NDP, in their anxiety to justify withholding the grants from the “rich” to aid the **poor,’’ seem to have forgotten, if they ever understood, that the municipal tax system already causes the homeowners having the higher assessinents to pay higher than average taxes and gives the benefit of lower taxes to those who have lower than average assessments, Until the advent of the NDP's current tax grab, the system was seen to be fair if not entirely equitable — now it is seen to be neither, W.A., Burton West Vancouver. _ Ridgeview staff succeeded fo making memorable day in our Dear Editor: “Re: “Students left’ disap- : pointed, ” Mailbox, July 2. We: too went to Ridgeview “ oy school and we think the. Halles’ ‘letter is-unfair to the school, the. principal, and the Grade 6. stu- dents who - did ‘receive awards _ AND ‘those who didn’t. * Mrs.saViltiams - (the principal) : and staff did their best, and suc- ceeded in making the graduation ceremony : memorable, swith: bou- quets-of flowers, a pianist and a violinist. The awards were announced to the ‘students: who earned them with a kind word to each.’ Also, the Halles’ letter forgot to "mention: that. the next ‘day we all . “received. ‘the “less s special” certifi- “GUARANTEED SERVICE” LYNN VALLEY CENTRE 1199 LYNN VALLEY RD. 980-9211 cates of graduation _ classrooms. We believe for any award to have any value, it should be earn- ed and not just given for surviving Grade 6. ‘The Halles’ letter seemed -bitter and uncalled for. For not only. did it put down Ridgeview. school and staff, but it hurt the students who worked hard to receive awards, and those who were fortunate enough to participate. As for her ‘reward,’ your daughter was lucky enough to be attending Ridgview in the first place. Nikki Westwood Caroline O'Brien West Vancouver Hurry a in for ;’ best selection! ASRS : EI PRET I ET PN TN Buying furniture PM’s responsibility Dear Editor: There is something very odd about ‘the NCC purchase of Mulroney's furniture. If this furniture is Mulroney's personal property it must I i therefore be over and above the standard furniture provided for the prime minister's residence. This being so, there is no reason why it sheuld be bought by the people. If the new prime minister wants this extra furniture it is up to her to buy it. Denis Mason West Vancouver Entry leval, 7 passenger, driver's airbag, power mirrors, full logic Pioneer stereo, tilt steering & rear ABS. From$ 4 @, 995 PRICE INCLUDES FAT & PD THIS SPECIAL NOT VALID WITH” ANY OTHER PROMOTION. REGENCY (NORTHSHORE) ) MAZDA 700 Block, Marine Drive, North Vancouver 987-4458 NOW ON D7847- DO NOT MISS _JHIS SALE!