Budget comparison not a fair example

Dear Editor

April’s issue of the Mayor wanting to halt capital projects and Nancy Bepple’s argument that the $133.00 over five years to taxpayers is a bargain.  The examples she noted of Riverside Coliseum in 1988 and McArthur Island upgrades of 2003 in costs to the taxpayer made that argument sound good. 

What Coun. Bepple neglected to say to the resident taxpayer in her argument is Kamloops proper had fewer taxpayers that had to foot the bill in that era.  After Kamloops created a considerably larger tax base by expanding the boundaries of what is now Kamloops proper, of course, the amount is now spread over a larger tax base. 

Also, the population of only 65,000–70,000 residents between 1988–2003 is considerably less than it is today, that being over 100,000.  Coun. Bepple should not have used the two examples noted as a comparison. It is not a bargain! 

I voted “No” for the PAC in the original push for it.  A very loud statement was made by the citizens of Kamloops when the project was voted down.  This council then found a way around it.  The taxpayer is tired of the City of Kamloops heaping money on them to fulfill the dream of a few people. 

— Lois Ward
Kamloops

Tournament toilets not capital-worthy

Dear Editor:

To the City of Kamloops, if you want to call yourself the Tournament Capital, you had better start with the portable toilets on the island. I was there today, April 26, to watch tournament baseball and could not use these toilets! Full to the rim at 10 am. 

Obviously, they were not emptied prior to Sunday when every field was full of athletes and family. Even the station washroom beside the concession was without toilet paper and I overheard an out-of-town lady say, every time they have come here it’s the same thing.

It’s time for more toilets and better management during tournaments.

—Joyce Blair
Kamloops