Opposition To Tax Increase And Budget Approval

Finance Chair Martin MacKinnon believes the City of Dryden has taken a major step backwards.
MacKinnon is one of two councilors who voted against the 2013 budget and tax increase on Monday night.
MacKinnon says Dryden can’t attract new business by raising taxes.
He says a 10% increase last year drove a couple of businesses away.
He says it’s clearly obvious that Council is split on the direction the City should take.
MacKinnon notes another tax hike will do nothing to jump-start the economy.
He adds the increase will also hurt low income families.
Sid Wintle was also quite vocal in his opposition to the budget.
Wintle says some homeowners and businesses will be paying 9.3% more in taxes and they can’t afford it.
He accuses the city of foolish spending and says money has been wasted on such things as the ball diamonds.
Wintle stresses the city can’t continue to spend money it doesn’t have.
Wintle is also reacting to news that 41-staff positions have been eliminated and various departments have done everything they can to find savings.
He says most of the impacted workers took a severance package or found better paying jobs.
Wintle stresses there’s still plenty of room for cuts.
Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall also voted against the budget and the tax hike.