In just under one year’s time, a new council will be sitting in Jasper.

A major factor contributing to how many members of the current council will be there is the 2010 budget. Administration have brought forward a 5.8 per cent budget increase in the town’s operating budget. It includes increased service fees, three new positions and a large increase in insurance fees. It also includes a status quo position in terms of services, which the community is satisfied with according to the town.

Due to the recession, the community is in no mood for a big tax increase. A 5.8 per cent increase would be considered unfair to the taxpayers of Jasper, who are in need of a break following a slower than usual summer. It’s a workable number, but the public can ask for a better rate.

Citizens must, however, remain realistic as well. Zero per cent tax increases are near impossible without noticeable cuts in services, and they only serve to put off large tax increases to a later date. No community is immune to inflation, and ignoring that fact quickly erodes programs and services.

But now is the time for councillors to make difficult decisions. Beginning next week, administration will make their cases for their budgets to council, who are tasked with prioritizing and justifying spending cuts and increases. Unfortunately, with three councillors out of the country and one away on council business, council didn’t get a chance to see the first proposed draft on Nov. 3.

The public should remain vocal about what services they value in the community, and how much they are willing to pay. And since Jasper businesses have a higher tax burden, and are affected greatly by projected lower tourism numbers, what sort of break do they get?

These are not easy decisions, but they are integral to the roll of council. Budgets are one of the largest duties as a council. And the decisions made now are sure to affect which members of council are chosen to return next October. 

Fair and balanced

In last week’s letters to the editor section, the Fitzhugh was challenged on an editorial decision in regards to the coverage of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. We welcome all opinions at the Fitzhugh, and even though it questioned our work, we printed it.

As professionally trained journalists, a position we take quite seriously, we are tasked with the important role of interpreting and reporting on the events that affect our readers. We are not merely stenographers, and our experiences affect editorial decisions. We strive for objectivity, and carefully weigh reporting decisions each week. 

The reporting of the council meeting was accurate and reflected the emotions expressed during the meeting. Ignoring or failing to report the fact that two councillors thought the decision was a waste of money would have been unfair to the readers, who as the letter writer pointed out, aren’t privy to attending such meetings.

At the Fitzhugh, each week we strive to report the news to the best of our ability. We are story tellers and have a duty to report the news accurately, as we understand our role in a healthy democracy. We are afforded the opportunity that others are not, and its a job we take seriously.

As is our opportunity to have the final word.