Dear editor,

I received my tax bill today and I am extremely disappointed in the tax increase on my house and property.

At a time when people are stretched financially and are having a tough time making ends meet, it doesn鈥檛 make sense to raise taxes at the current rate.

What makes it especially galling is the commitment to spend more than $6 million on a completely unnecessary footbridge. We have the 5th Street Bridge, which has a protected walkway on each side that allows people to safely and easily cross the river either from or to Simms Park.

I hear 鈥淥h but we get federal and provincial money鈥� but I know it is still all 鈥渕y鈥� taxes. At a time when council should be tightening their and therefore our belts, I believe it is completely irresponsible to commit to this project. If nothing else, it should be put to a referendum.

Ross Dingwall,

Courtenay