Dear editor:
I commend Jonathan Household for his letter on rising taxes. I do not live in Old Town NOTL, but I did once live in an area (I refuse to say where) where the taxes became burdensome. We are glad we moved away.
City hall must never have carte blanche and the electorate should have a strong voice in the whole budget process (perhaps even an ombudsman).
There really should be rock-solid guidelines which govern rate increases (perhaps tie it to the GDP or the rate of inflation). I leave that to greater minds.
I simply believe that the homeowner should be able to predict year after year what his costs should be accurately with no surprises.
Jonathan is a voice crying in the wilderness that deserves to be heard.
Joost Vandelinde
St. Davids
