A Tiny change can make a big difference
by Al Taylor, President of the Federation
During the summer, Federation representatives knocked on doors to learn how you felt about the issues facing all of us. We were not prepared for the deep concerns and feelings expressed.
Many of you read The Tiny Cottager newspaper (published by the Federation) and you told us it was the only way you knew what was happening in the Township. This edition should really interest you.
Each area of the Township had its own special concerns like the creek, the road, the signs, lighting, safety, encroachments, or new plans to subdivide. If we had been councillors we would have run for the nearest foxhole.
Restructuring and Market Valuation topped your list of concerns. 98% of you felt betrayed by those who asked for your vote and then did not carry out your wishes to do all they could to oppose restructuring. It is still a major issue for most of you now that the tax increases and the true costs are coming to the surface.
You told us pegging market value to 1992 levels would be a significant hardship. Some of you told me you may even have to sell you home as a result. However, very few of you were aware of the public meeting on MVA at the Township offices on August 13, so the Federation alerted you by flyers and media coverage.
Education taxes, you told us, were way out of line representing 82% of your tax bill. Most of you remembered that the Federation stood alone in its opposition to taxes while your elected representatives did nothing. Oh, they quietly asked for a clarification and got back a complicated convoluted explanation which is not possible to understand. You found this unacceptable. Maybe they think we are all (back and front shoreline owners) just a bunch of fat cats who deserve to be gouged. You want action and leadership. Some of you were ready to withhold taxes, still others wanted to take more drastic action. One thing is for sure, you were upset.
More than one senior pointed out that taxes have already gone up 100% in the past five years. Usually they had the taxes for each year written down on a piece of paper to show me. (I suspect most residents have a similar piece of paper.) You’re concerned about how much more you will have to pay if MVA is set at 1992 levels, how much more you’ll pay when the compensation subsidy ends four years from now, and, how much more you’ll pay for education tax increases. The anxiety you expressed has to be addressed. You want a change.
We sensed, in talking to you, a growing feeling of unity, of neighbours working together. This momentum has to continue. What unites us all is the common experience we have had individually and collectively here in Tiny. Maybe for you it was clearing the property of rocks, golden carefree days on the beach with the kids, walks in the woods, watching sunsets together, or closeness as a family.
We have a stake in Tiny both financially and emotionally — everyone of us: the local trades people, the local farmer, the cottagers (back and front lot) and the parttime resident who hopes to retire in Tiny. We need each other, now more than ever. Go back a few years … Remember what it was like. Was there strife, confrontation, tax issues? Worries about how much longer you can hang on to your property? No, there wasn’t! One resident I chatted with told me I was too emotional about the whole thing. Darn right I am! I want my children to have this experience and that is what is at stake.
Our name starts with Federation. It means the act of uniting or forming a union of groups. If you can see the advantage of working together to get good government in Tiny, support your association membership and get involved, vote. It’s your tax money … and your future … and your children’s and your grandchildren’s future.
A Tiny change can make a big difference.
