TalkNB

Again today I took a look at CBC to only find out we are going to be paying even more in 2009. I posted earlier about how Saint John is looking at a water rate Hike and to go with it our Municipal Property Tax will be going up 9% in Saint John.

Okay I thought we were in difficult Economic times and that many people throughout New Brunswick are cutting back on their Xmas spending because of this. Even with gas prices finally back to a reasonable level most people are trying to cut back on spending to pay bills and to get ready for the winter months.

Our Different levels of Government, think this is the perfect time to hit us here in Saint John with a 21% rate hike in our water next year, along with another 9% increase in our property tax, Lets not forget that they will come around say the value or our property has gone up 5% as usual for a final blow(unconfirmed speculation only),Also lets not forget there will most likely be an increase in power rates next year of 3%.

Tell me does our elected officials at every level not care that we have to cut back on xmas, don’t care we will scrimp by to pay our heating in the winter, the answer no we are in tough economic times but that means they will all keep their bonuses and high pay checks well taking more of our hard earned money. We know corporate Canada doesn’t have any concerns Bell recently announced in 2009 they will be charging their customers more money as they put up a new Satellite last year (don’t forget that new little fee that was added in 2008 to pay for that, which wasn’t enough I guess).

One good thing it looks like they won’t be pushing through the 2% tax on the HST since the big reform is to change it 10% tax rate for your end of year taxes (if you make less than 35,000 your already in that bracket) and up the hst by 2% so if you make 35,000 or less you actually get taxed more… This one has been delayed but won’t be surprised if this shows up in the news to happen in 2009.

My Final summary for 2009 in the news - New Brunswick in 2009 we will be in a recession and going through difficult financial times so you will have less to spend to take care of your selves and your families but your elected officials at all levels will be taking more of your money. The companies who have had record profits will be taking more of your money, and firing/laying off staff to keep their profits. However both Elected officials and Corporate Canada will tell you they are concerned for how you will take care of yourself and your families in 2009 but they aren’t going to do anything to help….

The story on the cbc website -

Municipal tax assessments set to soar in 2009

Property tax bases are jumping across most of New Brunswick but with an economic slowdown looming the Opposition Conservatives are calling for property tax relief. more »

According to the Gas Buddy website, the Keswick Shell was selling the cheapest gas in the entire province yesterday at 78.9 cents per litre.  For all of you who don’t know, the current ‘regulated’ price of regular gas is 81.79 cents per litre.

For those of you in areas that are selling regular self serve gas for over 81.79 cents a litre, (Shippagan, Lameque, Bath, Woodstock.. to name a few) and wondering why you’re paying 84 cents and up.. I’ll explain it to you.

The Public Utilities Board sets maximum prices. Right now, the maximum retail price of gas is 81.79 cents, but individual gas stations are allowed to tack on a 2 cent per litre delivery fee because they ‘may’ have paid more for their gas when it was delivered to their station than it is now. So, that means that they can go from 81.79 to charging 83.79 cents per litre (huh.. you say? how does that go to 84 cents and up… don’t forget GST on that 2 cent per litre delivery fee.)

So, there’s NB gas prices and regulation in a nutshell. Now, what I want to know, is why there aren’t more gas wars in the province. I mean, competition used to be all over the place, and now, no one wants to let their profits slide so that they can get the most business. I would think, and maybe this is my lack of knowledge on the topic of economics talking, but I would think that it would be more beneficial to be the preferred gas station in the city, to get the most business, than to have the most pofit. That way, I would inccur loyal customers who would come back to me even if I didn’t have the cheapest price on something.

But, I guess customer loyalty doesn’t matter when you’re floating around in a green, purple and blue sea of money.

Well if you check in to cbc.ca you may have seen something that doesn’t sound to appealing.

Saint John businesses worry about potential water rate hike

Now I really think they should do a follow up article on Saint John Residents worry about potential water rate hike, I mean a potential 21% rate hike for Residential is alot, and this won’t just affect home owners anyone who is renting can probably expect rent prices to increase accordingly. I mean what landlord is going to swallow a 21% rate increase this is assuming thier rate increase is the same as residential homeowners.

Just thought we should make mention of this so that hopefully residents of Saint John will get to have a say before this happens. Keep in mind this hasn’t happened yet just potential from “a consultant’s report”.  I want to know where the consultant lives and what they paid this consultant anyone know where I can get that information? I mean if the consultant isn’t from around here then as a resident of Saint John I’ll take his opinion with a grain of salt and he can give back my tax money since to go along with this everyone can expect property taxes to increase this year as well.

Also anyone know if the city vechiles are still dodge chargers that are white with the saint john logo if so i think they should return those and get pontiac wave’s to drive around and the extra money can go into the water? anyone agree?