Editor, The News:
Reading The News articles, I agree with both Don Maclean and Linda Nelson. Each wrote letters supporting Pitt Meadows council’s approval of the Onni Development of 12 years ago.
Public hearings will be held. Then current council will likely approve phases 3 and 4, to further increase the 1,000 local jobs and tax revenue of $10.5 million already realized. Maple Ridge is in need of local jobs and business tax revenue to pay for our growing community.
Consider Fire Hall No. 4, with an estimated cost of $6 million. The new proposed Civic and Culture Centre’s estimated cost is $40 million. Plus money is needed up front for architectural drawings, before federal grant funding application is made. Federal funding is not guaranteed, but possible.
So where is this big money coming from? Is Maple Ridge going to borrow this grand sum? This scenario is quite concerning because I believe Maple Ridge does not have the business tax revenue to support these projects. If this is the case, residential taxes will take a big hit. Just saying.
Jim Bulpit
Maple Ridge