City Hall has told rural residents of Sumas Mountain and Bradner that they will be considering the implementation of a "drainage fee" on each of our properties, with formal discussion at the Council meeting this Monday (November 26th).

As you may know, this "tax" was first proposed several years ago, temporarily defeated thanks to the combined efforts of rural folks, and now resurrected in the now infamous letter sent around by the City of Abbotsford several months ago. If you are not aware of what the drainage fee is all about, here is a link to an editorial at the Abbotsford News which describes it: http://www.abbynews.com/opinion/159196815.html

Last night (November 22nd) a public meeting was hosted by Mayor Banman where rural residents were invited to provide their "feedback" on this cash-grab. Needless to say, the almost unanimous voice of the people was "NO MORE TAXES".

Despite this, Mayor Banman insisted that the drainage tax on rural residents is necessary "in order to make things fair" --- claiming that since the Sumas/Matsqui flats have a drainage fee, so should we.

In response to the Mayor, several residents pointed out that the Sumas/Matsqui flats landowners pay a drainage fee because they reside on an ultra-fertile floodplain which needs an expensive pumping and dyke system to keep it above water. We, as residents of Sumas Mountain and Bradner, have no such pumps nor dykes.

We also pointed out that the "ditch tax" isn't about fairness, it's about City Hall mismanaging tax dollars. They've run out of funds for several reasons, including fat pay hikes for top staff. When we asked Mayor Banman why he hadn't made any significant cuts since his election more than a year ago, he said it would be "irresponsible" for him to do that. Judging from the response of the audience, no one bought what he was saying.

Sadly, by pursuing this controversial tax, Mayor Banman is in danger of squandering what little political capital he had built with rural residents.

Now is your chance (and maybe your last chance) to let the Mayor and City Council know what you think of their "ditch tax" on rural property owners.

We've put together a webpage which allows you to send a quick message to City Hall, letting them know how you feel about the drainage fee. It will take you about 30 seconds to send all the council members a note, telling them what you think. The stakes are high --- rural residents could soon be faced with a "ditch tax" on their yearly property tax bills --- which is another assault from City Hall on the value of your land.

Please click the link below and let Council know what you think:
http://www.smrpoa.ca/takeaction.php