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Meeting Minutes Minutes - September 18, 2012 Minutes - March 21, 2012 Minutes - February 28, 2012 2011 Minutes Minutes - November 23, 2011 Minutes - November 09, 2011 Minutes - October 28, 2011 Minutes - September 20, 2011 Minutes - September 14, 2011 Minutes - September 06, 2011 Minutes - August 30, 2011 Minutes - June 22, 2011 Minutes - May 25, 2011 Minutes - May 24, 2011 Minutes - May 09, 2011 Minutes - May 03, 2011 Minutes - May 01, 2011 Minutes - April 11, 2011 Minutes - February 22, 2011 Minutes - February 15, 2011 Minutes - February 03, 2011 Minutes - January 30, 2011 Minutes - January 17, 2011 History of Minutes |
A general meeting of the CBRM Property Taxpayers Association convened on Sunday January 30, 2011, in Saint Margaret’s Community Hall, Grand Mira South. Special Guests: Ms.Kim Desveaux (District Six Councilor CBRM), Mr. Kevin Lacey (Canadian Taxpayers Association – Atlantic Director), and Mr. Alfie MacLeod (MLA Cape Breton West). Also in attendance over one hundred resident taxpayers. Calling of Meeting to Order Mr. Francis Gillis called the meeting to order at 2:05p.m. Agenda Welcome Organization of Board, Executive, and Members at Large Update CAP Activities Questions/Comments Presentation by Kevin Lacey, and Alfie MacLeod Discussion from the floor Where do we go from here? Mr. Francis Gillis welcomed the audience for attending on this day to update our position against the Removal of The Cap Assessment of which The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities has applied to the current Nova Scotia Government for removal. Listed are meetings that we’ve precipitated in against the removal of the Cap 1st Meeting December 4, 2009. Letter sent to Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Office of Minister - Ramona Jennex by our MLA Alfie MacLeod on December 09, 2009 to voice our concerns about the Removal of the Cap. February 17, 2010 Meeting with Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Official Opposition) again to voice our concerns about the Removal of the Cap General Meeting on November 28, 2010 – 200 in attendance to communicate concerns about the Removal of the Cap Open meeting with Mayor Morgan and District One Councillor Brian Lahey on December 1st 2010 to communicate concerns about the Removal of the Cap. Over 150 in attendance. Attended a meeting December 13, 2010 in Port Hawkesbury on Cap Review Presentation. This was put hosted by Mayor Billy Joe MacLean (President of UNSM) and Lyle Goldberg (Policy Advisor UNSM). December 17, 2010 a roundtable session with Mayor Morgan on our concerns about the Removal of the Cap. January 17, 2011 a meeting was held with the proposed Board and Executive to form an Association called “The Cape Breton Regional Municipality Property Taxpayers Association”. Names to be inserted and voted at next general meeting. January 18, 2011 presentation in - chambers to the Mayor and Councillors of CBRM on our concerns about the Removal of the Cap. January 27, 2011 meeting with Ms. Walsh (director of Finance for CBRM) and her staff to voice our concerns about the Removal of the Cap January 30, 2011 general meeting at Saint Margaret’s Community Hall in Grand Mira South. Just over 100 in attendance. The UNSM continues to this day to conduct presentations to Chamber of Commerce, Building Associations, Realtors, and the list goes on. Never has the UNSM made a presentation to the Taxpayers of N.S. Organization of Board, Executive, and Members at Large Joe Gillis put forth a motion to the floor that the following names be applied to the above – Executive Chairman – Francis Gillis Co – Chair – Joseph Gillis Secretary – Allan Farrell Treasure – Barry Macdonald Board Harry Huntington Bob Richards Jerry Gillis Members at Large Donald Gillis Doug Peach Jimmie Gillis Ms. Josephine Kennedy NOTE: Other names can be added to “Members at Large”. The roll of “members at large” is to assist the executive by conducting necessary research on relative projects to advance our mission. Motion Carried Special Guests: The mayor and councillors of CBRM were invited, but only District 6 councillor Kim Desveaux showed up to address residents. The current tax structure is out dated and requires change. No one really understands the tax rates. She stated rates are all over the place. Kim seems to be the only one from CBRM willing to take our concerns to the next level. Alfie MacLeod MLA for Cape Breton West stated on record that he was not in favor of removing the Cap. After all, it was the Tory Government that implemented the Cap Assessment Program. Alfie also stated that he’ll communicate with the new Minister in regards in keeping the Cap in place. He will also be talking to Frank Corbett, the Deputy Premier of the current Government to this respect. Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and currently Atlantic Director says the CAP is a modest move that ensures that property taxes stay in step with inflation and keeps regular Nova Scotians from becoming house poor. Taxes at all levels of government have all gone up – there is only so much that taxpayers can take. This year, property assessments increased 6.8% province wide. Rather than raise taxes, municipal governments should look to cut costs. That’s something that this association has been saying all along. Taking the cap off assessments and increasing taxes will only give them a license to spend more. Questions from the floor Are there other associations in the Province that are against the Removal of the CAP? Our taxes are so high that it prevents family and other members from relocating here. Seniors in B C only pay 50% home taxes Taxpayers don’t have any input at all Many residents don’t understand the CAP Assessment One person has 2,000 feet of water frontage and taxes are 1,000 dollars Another person has 150 feet of water frontage and taxes are 2,300 dollars One person who lives in the Mira area pays more taxes than his friend in Sydney. Both properties are about the same. Why are the meetings held in one place? Do we have legal representation? Education required on the Cap Where do we go from here? Require date for next meeting (within thirty days). Our next meeting should be in a central location (civic centre proposed). Require web site and communication plan/strategy. Start up a face book site possibly. Get more residents involved in communicating the CAP Program. Use all available free community resources to advertise our issues. Donations: Since we only relay on donations at the door, we encourage all residents to donate when leaving the meeting. Allan Farrell Secretary CBRM Property Taxpayers Association January 31, 2011 |
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