October 28, 2003
Kamloops Daily News



A taxpayer and his money are not soon parted.  So it takes
a bold politician to suggest that taxes are a good idea. 
That's just what Mayor Mel Rothenburger did.  He recently
quoted a study that says  "in fact, there's evidence to
suggest that cities with the highest levels of taxation are,
in many cases, the most progressive, healthiest and
economically secure."

The study is by John M. Eger professor of Public Policy at
San Diego State University in California who goes on to say
"the successful cities and metro areas of the 21 st century
will stimulated by their attractiveness to young, talented
people."

This flies in the face of conventional wisdom that says the
way to attract business is to lower taxes.  The trouble with
this plan is that other cities also lower taxes in
competition.  It quickly becomes a race to the bottom which
no one wins.

What brings business is young, talented people.  And what
brings people to the city is amenities, like art, music,
education, sports, parks, trails, lakes, fishing, golf, and
river recreation. 

Kamloops already has a unique, natural beauty and a mild,
dry climate.  We already have many attractive amenities. 
Those include UCC,  a good hospital and health facilities,
the art gallery, our symphony, professional theatre, and a
lively arts scene.

If we attract talented people to Kamloops then business will
follow.  And businessmen and women are like the people they
hire - - they also look for attractive features in a city.

An example of this "people first" strategy is the move of
Nav Canada to Kamloops.  Employees of the Flight Information
Centre chose Kamloops as a place to live and that prompted
Nav Canada built their new facility here.

Private developers help, but only the city can build the
kind of public facilities and common spaces on a scale that
make a significant impact.  Businesses can build facilities
but they eventually serve the interests of shareholders.  We
are the shareholders in Kamloops and public development
serves us and our future.

The City of Kamloops hopes to develop the concept of  the
Tournament Capital of Canada through an ambitious sports
complex plan.  Voters will go to the polls on Saturday to
decide on borrowing money to build the proposed facilities.

Anything that involves even a modest tax increase is a hard
sell.  Taxpayers are suspicious of governments.  There is a
sector of voters who feel that governments are conspiring,
with wild and harebrained schemes, to take their money.

Kamloopsians, like all British Columbians, have a love-hate
relationship with taxes.  According to an Ipsos-Reid poll
taken one year ago, two-thirds (67%) of BC residents think
they are getting a good value for the taxes they pay to
their local municipality.

But when asked how they feel about tax increases for new 
services or to maintain current ones, they are more
ambivalent. Half (47%) said they don't mind higher taxes,
while half (47%) would prefer to maintain taxes even if it
meant a reduction in services.

Saturday's vote is complicated.  It requires a decision on
more than spending tax dollars, or attracting talented
people with amenities.  Some see the sports complex proposal
as a way of developing local athletics and attracting high
caliber athletes from across Canada.  For others, it's seen
as part of UCC's  promotion to be known as a university.

The linkage of marketing for the City of Kamloops and UCC
produces a powerful message.  UCC already advertises
Kamloops as a student-friendly, safe, city.  The sports
complex, if approved, would not only attract people to
Kamloops, it would attract students to UCC.   It makes sense
for Kamloops and UCC to team up on marketing.

The idea of sports compliments a healthy, fit, outdoor
lifestyle that Kamloops can rightfully claim.  Even for
those who are not involved in sports, fitness has strong
appeal for those considering a move to Kamloops.

Prudent tax spending on public facilities is a sensible
expenditure.  The use of tax money to build the future of
our city is based on sound business principles.  It's a
principle that developers of shopping centers use but on a
bigger scale.  First, build an attractive facility that will
attract customers.  Business will rent space because
customers are coming. 

It all starts with attracting people. 

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