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Duncan wants to expand? Unlikely

It is so sad to see that Duncan wants to pursue expanding into Area E, North Cowichan
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Duncan wants to expand? Unlikely

It is so sad to see that Duncan wants to pursue expanding into Area E, North Cowichan or some combination of the two. Duncanites had their chance to grow into North Cowichan but rejected the idea overwhelmingly. Now the minnow wants to swallow the whale. The same reasons Duncanites rejected amalgamation still apply. Duncanites will lose control of their town to those who opposed so many of Duncan’s decisions such as warming centers.

To suggest that Duncan might want to absorb Area E and not raise taxes in Area E is bizzare thinking. That would mean that the current Duncanites will be subsidizing Area E with higher taxes on the current city.

The advantages, cited by Duncan’s CAO, are nebulous at best, but the one thing Duncanites can expect with expansion is higher taxes to pay the bureaucrats and councillors more for the inflated value they will place on their expanded responsibilites and their bureaucratic empire building.

Southenders currently in North Cowichan, can also expect higher taxes because the huge contribution made by major industry (sawmills and pulp and paper) will be gone and the residentials will have to pick up the whole tab.

Don Swiatlowski

North Cowichan