PETS FRIENDS FOR LIFE
See page 16 SPORTS Cascades finish 3rd in national championships Penalty kicks win bronze medal over Montreal
2010
1985
T UESDAY , N OVEMBER 16, 2010
28 Pages
Page A25
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT abbotsfordtimes.com
City set to release Heat info
Abby Chamber
CHILL PUTS ON THE
Taxpayers should know what we owe CAM TUCKER camtuckertimes@gmail.com
A
bbotsford Mayor George Pear y said the time it’s taken Abbotsford Heat and city accountants to agree on a final figure for the team’s revenue last season has put the city in a difficult situation. “It’s embarrassing it’s taken so long . . . but it’s the first year of professional hockey in Abbotsford,” Peary said.
Looking to boost business, Abbotsford’s Chamber of Commerce wants a
First reported @
4-year tax freeze
abbotsfordtimes.com
BUT: Mayor George Peary seems to think the city might rain on their parade – RAFE ARNOTT/TIMES
Chamber of commerce executive director David Hull says a four-year freeze on business property taxes would provide the city gains for years into the future. ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
T
he Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce is proposing the city freeze existing business property-tax rates for four years. “It would be a demonstrable position that would be noticed by the investment and business community and one that shows Abbotsford is serious about attracting and retaining business,” said chamber executive director David Hull. It’s not unheard of for municipalities to freeze business taxes for a year, he said. The proposal was an opportunity for the city to expand on already existing progressive and forward-thinking tax policies that encourage business such as the Downtown and Airport Revitalization Tax Exemption bylaws. Businesses pay a disproportionate amount
of tax compared to residential properties, Hull “We’re convinced it’s better to have the coursaid. age to light a candle than to curse the darkClass six, or “business” property owners ness,” Hull said, adding the investment by the pay almost three times as city would still pay dividends much as residential own10, 20 and 30 years down the “We’re not saying we don’t ers. road. The disparity can’t be want to continue paying our Abbotsford Mayor George justified, as businesses Peary was not convinced. don’t receive a higher level more than fair share.” “You can’t blame [the chamof services from the city. ber] for trying,” he said. “I don’t “Already the system is – David Hull think it’s realistic, but we’ll patently unfair, but we can look at it.” live with that. Just freeze it The city is dealing with a where it is,” Hull said. number of increased costs just to maintain ser“We’re not saying we don’t want to continue vices and meet current contract obligations. paying our more than fair share.” “I mean, if taxes never went up, it would be Resulting growth and development [from the an easy solution. But in reality we are facing freeze] would outstrip the gains made from increasing costs every year,” Peary said. small amounts of new business tax revenue if see FREEZE, page A5 the status quo remains, he said.
WINTER GOLF RATES NOW IN EFFECT
25
$
weekends
00 +HST
23
$
weekdays
00 +HST
HEATED AND WELL-LIT DRIVING RANGE
Winter Hours
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
The numbers are still being run through by accountants and lawyers, and are still subject to change. It was important the numbers be accurate before they are publicly released, he said. It is expected the Heat fell short of the $5.7 million in revenue guaranteed for the local ownership group in their first year of operation, however, no official announcement from city council has been made. The public release of the team’s rumoured shortfall has been delayed several times. City manager Frank Pizutto said staff are hoping to release the revenue figures either by Nov. 22 at a draft capital budget meeting, or at the regular city council meeting Dec. 6. The Heat played Friday in Providence, and will be back home on Nov. 26 and 27 for a two-game mini series with the Manitoba Moose. - WITH FILES FROM ROCHELLE BAKER
FRASERGLEN G C GIFT CERTIFICATES available
AND
OLF
OURSE
TRAINING CENTRE
36036 South Parallel Rd, Abbotsford (opposite Castle Fun Park, Whatcom exit)
See our website for full details
www.fraserglen.com or call the proshop
604-852-3477