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City crushes glimmer of extra dough

Today my monthly OAS and CPP payments were deposited in my bank account and I noted happily that there has been an increase of $2.61 in one and $14.28 in the other giving me a total of $202.68 additional to spend during 2011.

Today my monthly OAS and CPP payments were deposited in my bank account and I noted happily that there has been an increase of $2.61 in one and $14.28 in the other giving me a total of $202.68 additional to spend during 2011.

Then I read the Friday, January 28 issue of the Nelson Star. It seems that I can anticipate paying another $35 for water and $25 for sewer this year.

Also, based on my Nelson Hydro invoices for 2010, my electricity costs will rise (at the projected 9.6 per cent increase) this year by $101.58.

When the math was completed, I found that, of my $202.68 increase for 2011, city council will helpfully spend $161.58 on my behalf. I’ll get to spend the remaining $41.10 as I please.

That’s $3.42 per month to take care of any other price increases that affect me with the remainder to be “extra” spending.

I can only imagine the eager anticipation of the Nelson merchants as they consider the increased business they’ll be able to do with me!

Ponder, if you will, that my water/sewer/garbage tax has increased slightly over 100 per cent from 2003 to 2011 (plus $1.50 per bag of garbage picked up).

I now understand how seniors’ living standards get squeezed and reduced by decisions made outside their control.

Perhaps it is time for some city services to either be forgone or put out to bids by the private sector?

Richard Green

Nelson