tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460062076455326962.post2085780865916760766..comments2023-08-23T10:38:24.775-04:00Comments on London Civic Watch: Open letter on Budget 2011Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460062076455326962.post-67749649098498962232011-02-18T15:52:00.066-05:002011-02-18T15:52:00.066-05:00My understanding is that they were required to off...My understanding is that they were required to offer up a cut and they had little else to offer that wasn't a core service. Would you email me directly at ginabarber@rogers.com and we can discuss this further if you like.Gina Barberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11996751727631968621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460062076455326962.post-4949086233594493442011-02-18T08:55:50.448-05:002011-02-18T08:55:50.448-05:00Gina, I want to send a letter that supports a comm...Gina, I want to send a letter that supports a community gardens programme at the LMHC, so I'm doing a bit of research so that it can be most effective. My letter - or anyone's - needs to be informed by information I just got from a conversation with Michelle Lynne Goodfellow, at LMHC. She clarified that LMHC gets 55% of its budget from rent and 45% from City subsidy. Its original budget submission asked for a 12% increase, but LMHC has pared it to 9%. One of the difficult budget choices made was to cut the $8,000 directed to the community gardens. That the cut was a decision of the LMHC makes a difference in the comments that anyone concerned about this cut should make. Doesn't there need to be support for LMHC, and also support for a community gardens programme because of the huge benefits that come from such programmes? I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed, but will take some time to think on this while I'm at work today ... where I'd better go right now! Any strategy suggestions on your part would be appreciated.<br /><br />Best regardsWhy's womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109477303883465019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460062076455326962.post-65782643942754169792011-02-17T10:16:04.541-05:002011-02-17T10:16:04.541-05:00Gina, there is one thing about taxes that your rea...Gina, there is one thing about taxes that your readers should keep in mind. That is the change in the assessed value of their house. If that goes up, they will have a tax increase. If it goes down, they will have a decrease. The assessment changes are being phased in by the province and are outside the control of Council. The city's total "take" from property taxes doesn't change. It is really better to argue that the size of the city budget plus assessment growth didn't change from last year than to say taxes are frozen.Sandy Levinnoreply@blogger.com