Then, perhaps because sitting sideways in the plump chair had grown uncomfortable, he suddenly twisted forward, picked up a random piece of paper from his desk, and held it up in front of his face like a shield. The paper remained there while Holmes quietly chided council for putting two years’ worth of mill rate increases into one, creating a tax increase double the rate of inflation. At the ten-minute mark Holmes brought his remarks to an end with a jab at the lack of new funds for better transit or curbside recycling, allowing Fiacco to finally set down his paper and say in one breath: “Questions-seeing-none-thank-you.”

This would be the pattern for the evening. Regina city councillors fell all over themselves lobbing softball questions at realtors and condo owners (“So you’re saying a base tax would be a good thing, then?”). But when grassroots community-minded types concluded their remarks, the councillors remained studiously silent – even after hearing transit advocate Catherine Verrall’s impassioned and very sensible plea to stop spending millions on gussied-up bus shelters and electronic fare boxes, and start focusing on improving service. After all, the planet is burning up, the silver-haired bus rider reminded the councillors, in case they hadn’t heard.

When Aaron Murray was called to the mike, he whispered that he hoped at least his own ward councillor, Fred Clipsham, would lob him a good softball. It would help the Cathedral Area Community Association president explain why his neighbourhood’s funds shouldn’t be cut 36 per cent – a cut that arose in part from a much touted ‘core services review’ that would be applauded many, many times that evening by mayor and council. But Clipsham – who earlier had plenty of questions about the Library Board’s accounting methods – now joined the other councillors in staring at the floor. “Questions-hearing none-thank you.”

Christine Ramsay was the one community activist who seemed to gain the councillors’ attention, perhaps because she was representing the city’s own Arts Commission. She answered a question about the artist’s collective space planned for the Leader Building and was successful in gaining $15,000 to purchase public art – but not the $73,000 needed to make up for a 9.5 per cent cut to overall arts and culture funding.

A big part of the problem for community representatives seeking restored funds was the 3.9 mill rate. Had it been spread over two years, a small increase wouldn’t have so much sting. But something in the order of $73,000 was just enough to push the rate over the psychological four per cent mark. The community associations, for their part, needed at least $125,000 to make up for the expected shortfall in their funding pool. 

To his credit, it was Clipsham who asked the arts question and he who made a budget amendment to allow $15,000 more for public art (raising the mill rate increase to 3.91). He was also the one councillor to raise some actual debating points during the evening, successfully boxing the Association of Regina Realtor’s representative into a corner about the relative importance of mill rates compared to housing prices. Wayne White had to admit an average $9,000 increase in house prices is bigger than an average $49 mill rate increase, but he refused to say the inflated price tag might a greater turn-off for buyers than the tax rate.

The CFIB’s Marilyn Braun-Pollen was there, as expected, to berate the city for not protesting Family Day. One can’t help but wonder if a day off in February is just the ticket for Braun-Pollen: her perennially angry eyes look like they could use a rest from glaring. But she did bring to the table the evening’s most interesting numbers: a 108 per cent spending increase in the city manager’s office, and a 49 per cent increase in the mayor’s office, totaling $1.16 million When Fiacco challenged her, saying (in the form of a question, as per the rules) that a new communications position in his office in fact just represented an accounting change, she flushed and fumbled. One wishes she would have stuck to her guns; the mayor had nothing to say about the other five new top-floor positions she mentioned. One communications officer alone, no matter how talented, doesn’t account for a million bucks.

After the public presentations, the evening moved into a sort of debate-without-debate. Councillor Sharron Bryce used her time to attack “the CCF” for allegedly claiming idea credits for the city’s better initiatives. Given that the CCF hasn’t been around since 1961, its members must have been far-thinking indeed.

If credit-claiming exists, perhaps it’s contagious. This observer lost track of the times city councillors blew their horns on new community policing without mentioning it was the province that initiated the program and will pay the lion’s share of the costs. 

As for the rest of the councillors, they simply rose one by one to say how surprised they were at themselves for supporting a mill rate increase. One would think this shouldn't take until midnight, but it did. “This is the first and last time I will vote for a mill rate increase,” said Councillor Terry Hincks.

“Never say never,” quipped the mayor.

Comments

U cut it too short Written by citizenwilson on 2007-04-18 19:08:30 What about Holmes prattling on about the $200 or higher donor reveal? Hey Holmes, got one word for ya, Waaah!    For the rest of ya, FYI, the election is over. You are STILL fighting the battle? Puh-lease.

Written by hugo chavez on 2007-04-18 19:41:02 Wilson- If the CCFR wasn't doing anything then you would prattle on about how it was just a protest group due to the strike. The CCFR is about more then one election or elections, it is about building a better Regina and time will prove that out.

Chavez no mind reader Written by citizenwilson on 2007-04-18 21:19:43 Hugo, thanks for putting words in my mouth. Again, you jump to conclusions about what YOU think I WOULD say and what YOU think I WOULD believe. YOUR speculation of my thoughts is just speculation, and is as helpful of your pledges instead of action. (You did kick into the save Gordon's house fund, didn't you? Or did you just make a pledge and call it a deed done?)    Do me a major favor, don't tell me what I might think or say, base your comments on what I DO THINK OR SAY. You (and anyone else) can read MY ACTUAL thoughts at www.iheartregina.com. Register if you'd like to leave comments.

Written by hugo chavez on 2007-04-18 22:25:59 Sounds a wee bit defensive , looks like I hit a nerve.

Chavez no read Written by citizenwilson on 2007-04-18 22:45:52 If Chavez can't argue facts, Chavez will argue fantasy.    You didn't hit a nerve, you disappoint me. You come back with a weak strategy of blame the opponent and a pathetic attempt to redirect with a 'Wilson sounds a wee bit defensive'. You used to give better.    But nice to see you guys miss me.

Written by hugo chavez on 2007-04-18 22:50:43 Wilson-Tell me about your mother. There seems to be some trauma there.

again with the lame Written by citizenwilson on 2007-04-19 00:11:22 Chavez, really, you have gone soft. Its like matching witts with an unarmed opponent. Mom and Dad are both fine, and I see them whenever I'm in Saskatoon. Thanks for asking. Why do you ask? Your Mom miss me too?

as a matter of fact? Written by pelliott on 2007-04-19 07:30:40 Seems to me neither of you are arguing the facts contained in this article. What about bloating up the mayor and manager's offices by about $1 million? While at the same time nickel and diming away your kid's neighbourhood rec soccer league? What's the point in that? And why are we spending - I think Ms. Verrall said $2 million - on electronic fare boxes when you still have to wait 40 minutes for a bus that takes you on a bizarre route? I don't care who the mayor is, budgets are all about choices, so if you wanna talk budget you really gotta look at the choices being made.

as a matter of fact? Written by pelliott on 2007-04-19 07:40:51 Seems to me neither of you are arguing the facts contained in this article. What about bloating up the mayor and manager's offices by about $1 million? While at the same time nickel and diming away your kid's neighbourhood rec soccer league? What's the point in that? And why are we spending - I think Ms. Verrall said $2 million - on electronic fare boxes when you still have to wait 40 minutes for a bus that takes you on a bizarre route? I don't care who the mayor is, budgets are all about choices, so if you wanna talk budget you really gotta look at the choices being made.

pay your way Written by citizenwilson on 2007-04-19 22:52:18 If my kids play soccor, I think I should pay the shot. I don't see why the rest of the city should pay for my kid's sports. As for waiting 40 minutes for a bus, if you don't like waiting there are these things on the ends of your legs called FEET, put one in front of the other, and start walking! No need to wait if you don't want to. In fact, if you want transportation on call, there are these things called TAXIS. Cancel the buss in my area of town, no one is using it, redeploy the money to service other routes.

Written by hugo chavez on 2007-04-21 02:03:03 Why should I pay for you to drive ?    There should be a road tax on cars.

Written by pelliott on 2007-04-21 16:31:05 I live in an area where a significant number of families can't afford their school lunchroom fees, never mind rec fees. But thanks for offering your bus route, CW. We could use it here. In my part of town people use their feet all the time - we don't need lectures on that regard, thanks. But that doesn't solve the problem of people in your part of town being addicted to cars and apparently not giving a shit about anyone else they share the planet with.

Again with conjecture Written by citizenwilson on 2007-04-21 17:25:52 You jump to conclusions about me again, and again, you guess wrong. Where I come from, we consider recreation a luxury, not a neccessity, so why should it be handed out free or subsidized to anyone? I came from the hood, and I've worked hard to work my way up to get where I am today. I began walking, eventually moved up to a bike, buses in winter, and gained way more freedom when I bought a car. We are all born with the same opportunity. You don't like your situation, change it, no one is going to do it for you. There is no great oppressor holding anyone back. If you want independance, you have to work for it and earn it. Kinda flies in the face of socialism though. Oh well, life is about choices though, isn't it? And with every budget, choices are made. I'm fine with the choices those elected made. After watching the buses come and go though the core today, I'm almost of the mindset that perhaps the City should stop subsidising the bus system all together and make it completely user pay and force it to run at break even because damn, there are a lot of buses running empty or near empty.

Tax this Chavez Written by citizenwilson on 2007-04-21 17:29:20 Chavez, GAWD, are you really that daft? There IS a road tax on cars, it's called the gasoline tax, and it's built into every litre sold. IF ONLY it was actually spent on roads instead of pouring into general revenue.

Alternative Budget Written by Chad Moats on 2007-04-21 22:15:52 I posted a City of Regina Alternative Budget 2007    Let me know your thoughts, criticisms and suggestions. If you have an idea wonder how much it costs, post that too.    Cheers    Chad Moats

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