Annapolis Royal citizens laugh in face of adversity

By Geoffrey Agombar

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Annapolis Royal, population 499, faces a serious threat next year, as property taxes on the Tidal Power Plant in its boundaries risk being slashed by more than half a million dollars.

At a first public meeting about possible consequences and potential responses, questions posed by the approximately 200 concerned citizens in attendance displayed an acute sense of the seriousness of this situation.

However, it was a warm sense of community connection that dominated the evening as waves of applause and laughter frequently washed over the crowd.

For example, John Kinsella (former mayor) drew loud applause when he stated simply: “Whatever the town has to do in response, I'm here to say that I will do everything I can to help. And, I think everyone here feels the same.”

Another citizen drew broad laughter and applause when she found herself unable to assess the whole situation politely, and unleashed a more colourful descriptive.

THE QUESTIONS

Audience questions ranged broadly, but displayed pointed curiosity on many key issues such as: From whom or where does the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities derive its powers? What is a Grant in Lieu of Taxes (GILT) and does Nova Scotia Power stand to gain from this reassessment? Who are the winners and losers? What is the town's current debt load? What is the town's current cash flow situation? Why does the province pull money for an HST offset program from NSP property taxes – shouldn't that money come from HST collected? How many employees does the town have, and how much is spent on their salaries? What is the town's relationship with the UNSM, and does the town have representation on its board or committees? How can the tidal power plant be assessed without including the value of the turbines and equipment? Is this in line with national accounting standards and practices? Is town council working with Trenton and the District of Queens (the other big losers under the new reassessments) to present a united front? How can citizens best participate to influence a positive outcome?

PURSE STRINGS

Mayor Phil Roberts fielded the majority of questions, and stressed that much of the problem at this point is that information has not been forthcoming as to how this new assessment was calculated. Also, because the province controls the purse strings the province controls the response. At this stage there has been no indication from the province whether any help will be offered to ease the transition.

Roberts suggested at one point it might be fair to phase in the new tax scheme over six years, because in 2001 that is how long the province gave itself to phase in the increase in payments to the town. As Kinsella explained, prior to that agreement the town had been receiving just $4,000 per year since the plant's construction in the mid-1980s.

Roberts also underlined that much of the problem is that the province diverts the majority of the NSP property taxes to support provincial harmonization programs, whereas property taxes in all other cases go directly to host municipalities.

“Keep in mind, if we were to be paid 100 per cent of the property taxes on the [new assessment of] $16 million, we'd probably be fine,” Roberts said.



McNEIL ON FAIRNESS

MLA Stephen McNeil also took questions from the audience. McNeil repeatedly encouraged citizens to continue communicating with himself and with the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Jamie Muir*.

“I think the fairness being requested by citizens is having an effect on those responsible. Even though we are on opposite sides of the aisle, I know Minister Muir* is a man of integrity who wants to do what is right for Nova Scotians. I think Minister Muir* will be sympathetic on the issue of fairness. I think you will find an open ear there, someone who is at least willing to listen.”

In response to a question about effective citizen response, McNeil stressed that in his experience individual letters from voters have more effect than petitions or mass emails, that strategies such as annexation of surrounding communities would be a distraction of valuable energies and focus at this stage, that citizens should make use of the information made available by Town Hall when writing a letter, and that any letter should be CCed to the local MLA, in this case himself.

McNeil and Roberts both commented that they found it heartening to see such a number of citizens taking an informed interest in the issue -- before calling a close to the meeting so everyone could slip over to the Legion's bar to watch the Canadian World Junior Hockey team's inspiring gold medal win.

(gagombar@annapolisspectator.ca)

*NB: As of Wednesday January 7th, Richard Hurlburt replaced Jamie Muir as Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municiple Relations.

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Other stories on this subject:

(Jan. 13) Annapolis Royal working without NSPI information, Link: www.novanewsnow.com

(Jan. 13) AR planning for eventualities, Link: www.novanewsnow.com

(Jan. 8) Annapolis Royal citizens laugh in face of adversity, Link: www.novanewsnow.com

(Dec. 18) Municipalities and province disagree on Nova Scotia Power property taxes, Link: www.novanewsnow.com

(Dec. 10) Tidal Plant value fluctuates, “Catastrophic” for Annapolis Royal, Link: www.novanewsnow.com

(Dec. 8) Annapolis Royal to lose $735 000 in annual revenues, Link: www.novanewsnow.com