Dear Editor,

Mayor Deb Walters may be "satisfied" with the decision to raise property taxes in Pitt Meadows [Pitt man lobbies for zero, Jan. 17, TIMES], but many - if not the majority - of the residents are not.

And on top of this, we have the mayor and council blatantly refusing to reconsider giving themselves yet another increase to their salaries with no input from those residents who are forced to pay it.

A recent letter from Mr. Ogden [Critical letter objectionable, Jan. 29 Letters, TIMES] expressed dislike for Mr. Blankers's letters to the editor about Mayor Walters, whom Mr. Ogden describes as "a role model."

Role model? Perhaps to point out the perks to aspiring politicians.

But of more significance is the fact that Mr. Blankers's comments do have foundation, sad to say. The council has been divided three to three in the votes applicable to the tax increase. The Mayor thus has the deciding vote, so in a very real sense, she is deciding the significant issues.

If Mayor Walters was sincere in her post-election statement of being responsible to the citizens of Pitt Meadows, she would use her deciding vote more wisely.

Survey results, a petition, and numerous letters have made the residents' position on increased taxation very clear. The mayor has just as consistently waved them aside as irrelevant.

The mayor made it very obvious from the beginning of the discussions over taxation that she intended to raise property taxes, no matter what. Her initial proposal was a four per cent increase for each of the next three years, regardless of any financial budgeting or management. This is not indicative of a capable leader.

Many would undoubtedly enjoy being in a position where they could raise their salary every year, spend other people's money on whatever they themselves liked, and be assured that the money would continue to roll in to pay for all this.

The mayor and her trio have failed to exercise true leadership when they had the opportunity.

Byron Hosking, Pitt Meadows