Garr out of touch on tax issue

To the editor:

I'm writing in response to Allen Garr's column "Fair tax is a user pay scheme," Mar. 17

1. "No evidence has been offered that business in general is being significantly affected by property taxes."

I guess you haven't been reading the debate in the Vancouver papers or talking to business people in the community. Your statement clearly shows you are only interested in theoretical/ political economics and not those in the real world that real people have to face every day.

As a former academic, I've seen the syndrome but I'm amazed when a "political journalist" like yourself ignores the basic "check your facts" tenet of good journalism, and shows his ignorance in such a public way. I really expected better from you Allen.

2. "The downtown core is about to see a minor explosion of office space."

So your theory is: baffle the silly public with apples and oranges illogic and they might buy it? Do you honestly believe that large corporations in downtown high-rises, many with headquarters in foreign countries, replace the local businesses that make our communities liveable? Tell me you're just kidding-you are, right?

3. The specious argument that Vancouver needs more (or not lower) taxes, and this is the responsibility of the city's businesses, is a red herring-and the sad thing is you know it. Play the "crime" card and the public will just fall into line-is that it? What has this got to do with the actual issue raised by the Fair Tax Coalition-business property taxes in Vancouver are unfair?

Nowhere in your "contribution" to this debate do you address the incredible disparity between the property tax load on a Vancouver business compared to a business in New West or Richmond or any other municipality.

4. You provide nothing to show that you have done any homework to support your views by actually talking to your community butcher, baker or barber. Isn't that a bit ironic since you write for a community paper. I wonder what your business advertisers will think of your views?

Allen, get your facts and thinking together before you speak out.

It's something we've come to expect from good journalists.

Rick Townsend, Vancouver

published on 03/24/2006