Dear Editor,

I would agree that a 2,500 per cent tax increase is much more than mind-blowing. I would think it borders on criminal.

This is all about the Pitt Meadows Airport Authority attempting to extend the runway to accommodate jets, and as such, is a major concern for the people of Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, and any other municipality that will be affected by this major change, unlike the Vancouver runway extension which went over water, and even so received major opposition for noise, environmental, and many other related consequences.

This expansion will be going over expensive homes that have been there forever, and maybe have not been affected by the smaller, quieter propeller aeroplanes.

We are talking about two acres of grass that will still be grass, even if the runway is extended.

I would imagine there will be a lot of opposition to this particular runway expansion, so with that in mind, before you destroy a thriving business that will undoubtedly put a hole in Pitt Meadows's commercial tax base, I would think Pitt Meadows council, which is already under pressure about tax increases, would make sure this expansion is even feasible before allowing an outrageous tax increase which appears to be a blatant attempt to evict Pacific Skydiving for no good cause.

Many other businesses that supply and depend on Pacific Skydiving will be put in jeopardy as well.

I have to even wonder if a tax increase this obscene is even legal. It occurs to me that the Pitt Meadows Airport Authority has possibly exceeded its mandate.

Wayne Clark, Maple Ridge