Beneficiaries of real-estate boom have enviable burden
Re: Homeowner fears giant tax hike, Jan. 4 Readers such as Sarah Wilson of Coquitlam complain that the house she inherited has gone up too much in value and so she may lose her homeowner’s grant of $570 per year. This is a problem any young person in the Lower Mainland would love to have. Retired on a teacher’s pension, over 55 and so able to defer property taxes at one-per-cent simple interest, all the while living in a house you got for free. Cry me a river. The deferral of property taxes is a government handout that benefits the wealthiest generation in history (baby boomers) and is paid for by still-working taxpayers, most of whom are still wrestling with mortgages.
Keith Montgomery, Burnaby
A homeowner is upset at the thought of losing her homeowner’s grant. If we could all be so lucky to have this problem.
A letter to the editor continues the “bellyaching” of how unjust the world is, a world where an increase in house assessment is an unthinkable hardship. The writer complains that, yes, she could defer the increased cost, but she does not want to “gamble” with the value of her house.
Consider how difficult it is for seniors on fixed pensions, especially women, who cannot afford the ever-increasing rent for their small apartments. They are often forced to seek another place to live, such as their car, or in a sub-par, single-room apartment far from their support system.
Yes, my house assessment increased over 40 per cent, but I have a roof over my head, food on the table and a warm place I call home. I work incredibly hard to keep this roof and am grateful I have it. Many people in the Lower Mainland have far less than we do. We should count our blessings.
Laura Gibbins, Vancouver
Grinch to blame for no grant
Re: Homeowner fears giant tax hike, Jan. 4 I hate to suggest that there is a conspiracy to arrange a windfall tax benefit to the government, but my assessment went to $1,233,000. A paltry $33,000 over the homeowner grant threshold. Way to go, Grinches in Victoria.
Peter Rose, Delta
Hammell was dedicated MLA
Re: Veteran MLA Hammell stepping down, Jan. 5
I’m saddened to hear about Sue Hammell’s retirement from the legislature due to the recent illness of her husband John Pollard. Sue and John have been such dedicated workers for their community in Surrey and just last year suffered the loss of their son James. As a longtime resident of Surrey, I would like to extend my thanks to Sue for her years of dedication and wish the very best for her family.
Richard Koett, Surrey
Obama earned respect
Listening to outgoing President Barack Obama’s farewell speech to the Armed Forces, I was struck by how much he and his administration achieved in eight years.
I sincerely hope the American people appreciate what he has accomplished. His humility is unsurpassed among presidents. As a Canadian, I have the greatest respect for him and his wife, Michelle. All I can say about Jan. 20 is, God help the United States and the rest of the free world.
Judith McQuiggan, Coquitlam