FRIDAY
$1.25
inc. H.S.T.
February 3, 2012
A division of
Vol. 27 No. 10
COMOX VALLEY RECORD Your community. Your newspaper. www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
AND HELPING HAND
Jilli Martini is helping a suicide awareness group. ■ B3
RUGBY RENEWAL
MAYOR LARRY JANGULA and the rest of council are looking for ways to help the downtown core of Courtenay.
“Who are all these new guys?” asked a spectator at the AFC Construction Comox Valley Kickers men’s Div. 3 rugby match Sunday at Village Park in Cumberland. Well might he ask. Over the last few weeks an influx of new players, particularly from Campbell River, has seen the Kickers with a surplus of players standing on the sidelines looking to get on the field. “It’s a bit of a problem,” says Kickers’ coach Aaron L’Arrive.
... Complete story on ■ B10
FINDER ■ Weather
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PHOTO BY RENÉE ANDOR
Downtown city core‘real complicated’ Renée Andor
But what is causing downtown businesses to go out of business? Blain Douglas, who owned Rickson’s Menswear for about 30 years until he retired last year, said it’s a combination of things, including online shopping, big box stores, minimum wage increases and property tax increases. “Since 2006, we saw a 48-percent increase in the amount of money we paid in property taxes,” said Douglas. “We, as residents, need more and want more, so the City has to provide more. So the cost of the City doing business goes up, so the taxes go up.” Mike Laver, downtown property owner, said taxes on four of his commercial rental properties have gone up between 30 and 51 per cent in five years, with the lowest of the four lots owing $5,737 in 2010 and the highest owing $17,684.
Record Staff
Keeping downtown Courtenay businesses alive is at the forefront of council’s mind, according to Mayor Larry Jangula. Three downtown businesses closed this week and the topic was discussed at Monday’s council meeting. Jangula said all councillors are “united” on the fact that something needs to happen, but added the issue is complex. “It’s a real complicated thing,” Jangula told the Record, adding, “we understand that this is really important.” Councillors discussed ideas for economic development, infrastructure, social functions of downtown and economic viability, and City staff were instructed to compile ideas for initiatives in a mini strategic plan.
BRIAN
He said the property tax multiplier, which means commercial property taxes are 2.9 times the rate of residential taxes, compounds the increases. “I don’t think residents really understand that we pay three times more than what they pay,” he said. “I struggle every day. I have tenants that haven’t taken a paycheque out of there for the last year, but they want to try and get into business.” He wrote a letter to the City outlining his concerns for businesses because he said landlords are forced to pass on the tax hikes to tenants. “Some (businesses) are only making it because the landlords have cut their (base) rent so they won’t have an empty building,” he said in the letter. He pointed out that landlords with an empty building still have
to pay the taxes; they just aren’t receiving any rent money to help pay them. He wants the property tax multiplier lowered. However, under the Local Government Act, the property tax multiplier must be the same for all commercial businesses, and Jangula pointed out that if it were lowered, that would mean less tax money from national corporations and the money needs to come from somewhere. “If we lower their multiplier it means we have to add to the household taxes, and I just can’t see that as being a solution,” said Jangula. “But on the other hand, leaving it where it is and helping force more of them (downtown businesses) out of business is not the answer either.” Jangula said the City is lob... see CITY ■ A2
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