Huron-Kinloss deputy mayor objects to untruths about council's performance

To the Editor:
RE: “High taxes, excessive spending are focus of Huron-Kinloss all-candidates meeting”

Well, here I go, doing what I said I wasn't going to do.

After 20 years, I am retiring from Huron-Kinloss council. Thursday evening, Sept. 27, the Lucknow and District Chamber of Commerce held an all-candidates meeting at the Lucknow Community Centre. I thank the chamber for putting the effort out for everyone to met the candidates and to have the chance to ask questions.

I was a little upset before the meeting, about a flyer that was sent to every home in Huron-Kinloss, but I promised I would not speak at the meeting.

However, by the time the meeting was over, my stomach was churning, and I knew I had to say something.

Like I said, I have been on that council for 20 years, and am quite proud of what we have done in this time. So, for one man to send out a flyer with nothing but Donald Trump-type stories, is just too much.

The first quote is that in 2009 our operating budget was $9.4-million, and in 2018 it is $20.9-million. Well, that is almost true. It has gone up. In 2009, it was $7.25-million and in 2018 it was $13.67-million.

The next one is great. Our property owners are paying 56-per-cent more taxes than Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW). First off, it's like comparing apples to oranges. However, if you take the mill rate from each municipality and use a $100,000 home for comparison purposes, you will find the difference is $122.24 or 11.8 per cent.

There were a great number of other things the man had complained about but with them, he shot himself in the foot anyway.

The final one I will talk about, is that municipal taxes have doubled since 2009. Almost right – the municipal levy has doubled since 2009. If you were to take the MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) increase from your taxes, you would find they have risen $147.64.

There, thank you so much. I feel better already.

Just want to remind everyone to get out and VOTE!

Wilfred Gamble
Huron-Kinloss Township