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| Twenty minutes away but miles apart on issues of Ridley Island the Prince Rupert/Port Edward tax dispute is heading to a new level |
The ongoing dispute between Prince Rupert and Port Edward has escalated significantly it would seem, with the latest stage of the ongoing tumult now adding the province to the mix of the stalled discussions.
In an account from CFTK TV yesterday, it was reported that Mayor Lee Brain has taken the ongoing issues of the dispute to the province, seeking the assistance of the province to explore the issue and take measures to bring it to a resolution.
In their report TV 7 outlined some of the significant escalation to the dispute that has taken place and how the City has reportedly asked for the province to de-incorporate the District of Port Edward, apparently as a solution that would end the continuous revenue sharing dispute over Ridley Island.
For his part Port Edward Mayor Knut Bjorndal referred to the city's move as that of bullying, with CFTK observing that Mr. Bjorndal dismissed both the idea of de-incorporation, or any call for amalgamation with the larger community to the Northwest.
The CFTK Report can be viewed here.
The Television station also noted that as of yesterday, the City of Prince Rupert had offered no comment to their report, a theme that seems to be holding true into today, with no mention of the City's letter to the province to be found on the City website.
Also on radio silence on any themes of Port Edward and disputes for now is the Mayor's Facebook page, a portal that is normally an ever flowing fountain of the Mayor's thoughts on all topics including the city's issues with Port Edward, commentaries that are usually applauded by his loyal followers.
The heated debate over the Ridley Island Tax issue has been a long running story with the most recent brush fire arriving with a difference of opinion on the provision of mutual aid for the two fire departments.
You can travel back in time to explore the course of the dispute from the entries below:
October 2018 -- The Prince Rupert City Council Forum: Eight variations of a similar theme
September 2018 -- The Victory speech he won't have to make: Mayor Brain's Northern View podcast moments
September 2018 -- Ridley Island Tax issues with Port Edward remain a concern for City officials
June 2018 -- Annual Report presentation channels many of the Hays 2.0 themes
June 2018 -- Partnerships and Solutions part of the focus for City of Prince Rupert's 2017 Annual Report
May 2018 -- In your mailbox this week ... your 2018 Property Tax Bills
May 2018 -- City releases notes on recent audit of 2017 finances
April 2018 -- Small Business Committee Report finds common ground with many City Council initiatives
April 2018 -- City's Small Business advisory committee to deliver report to Council tonight
March 2018 -- In final year of their mandate, City Council's list of feuds continues to grow
March 2018 -- City's Budget Presentation now available online; providing City's message along with a review of revenues, expenses and taxation loads
March 2018 -- Some rumblings of discontent from one of the BC NDP's most loyal constituencies
February 2018 -- Budget preview charts course towards public consultation period in Prince Rupert
February 2018 -- Council members to receive Chief Financial Officer's 2018 fiscal blue print tonight
June 2017 -- City's Annual Report available online; public comment session set for June 26th
June 2017 -- City's tax notices make their journey to your mailbox this week
May 2017 -- Prince Rupert City Council's election Quiz
March 2017 -- Familiar themes and a mill rate increase mark Budget Presentation to council
The District most recently made note of the ongoing dispute for Port Edward residents in their March Newsletter, though to this point Port Edward officials have not followed up with the information release that was noted in their report.
To provide some sense of the long running issues between the two communities, here's how the District viewed the dispute two years ago.
Since that time the only thing that seems to have moved forward is the level of heated rhetoric on the issue, much of which is coming from the Council Chambers on Third Ave West in Prince Rupert.
More items of interest on Prince Rupert City Council can be found here, while our notes on the District of Port Edward can be explored here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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