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Talking taxes: Council hopefuls weigh in
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Katie Bartel The Progress
Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Most candidates vying for a seat on council advocated ongoing fiscal restraint as the best way to keep taxes low in Chilliwack. Chilliwack’s tax increase has been pegged at 3.95 per cent for the past two years, which is lower than both Abbotsford’s and Langley’s, with 5 per cent and 4.95 per cent increases respectively, according to city officials. Municipal candidates were asked this week [more-online by The Progress: www.theprogress.com “Chilliwack prides itself on a relatively low residential tax rate, and one of the lowest business tax multipliers in the Lower Mainland. What would you do to maintain that standard while continuing to deliver critical services residents have come to expect?” Some candidates went so far as to say they’d support “a zero tax increase,” while others argued a frugal financial approach is already responsible for low tax rates compared to other communities. One stressed that job creation was the best way to generate more tax revenue from both businesses and residents, while another said municipalities should be given the ability to diversify revenue sources instead of relying on taxes tied to property values. The debt-free approach the city has taken with its “pay as you go” philosophy for civic projects does help keep Chilliwack’s taxes low, according to several candidates. Continued: TAXES/ p8
Candidates debate role of social media in education
Two people on horseback and their dogs enjoy a quiet walk along Marble Hill Road last week. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Social media within Chilliwack school district is still a fairly new initiative. Despite technology integration listed as one of the four pillars in the school district’s strategic plan, the social media aspect of technology has been slower going compared to other school districts like West Vancouver where every principal has been mandated to operate a school blog, and where the superintendent is a regular on Twitter. In Chilliwack, the school district’s administration really only started utilizing social media sites in September. School trustee candidates were asked by The Progress how the school district could better use social media to enhance communication with parents and the greater school community. (Complete responses from all the candidates who replied to our question can be found on The Progress website at www.theprogress.com.) Darlene Wahlstrom said that while the district is on the right path with social media, more could still be done. “I would advocate for the use of social media as a tool that could be used in disaster planning and in emergencies where mass mobilization of children becomes necessary,” Wahlstrom said. She added that it could be a vital tool for connecting the district with police, fire and the hospital “where we need to account for the whereabouts of our children.” Continued: SCHOOL/ p9
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