I can’t believe the audacity of the people behind this act. Why should the City of Red Deer have to pay for a service they use that takes money to run? Maybe they should sell the taxpayer-bought photo radar truck and equipment and cut their losses.

Oh, but wait. Let’s do the math, shall we? A projected $2.2 million in revenue from photo radar and red light tickets for the year less $.35 million for the new fee (that the province has been eating at the taxpayer’s expense), works out to a net $1.85 million for the City. Not bad for a system implemented as a deterrent to speeding and red light running that is now depended on to offset costs of other services.

What would happen if Red Deerians stopped committing these acts? Would council cry foul? Would they raise our property taxes? Absolutely on both.

Instead of looking at maximizing efficiency within municipal operations, it is so much easier to simply raise taxes. Humans, by nature, take the path of least resistance. If we as taxpayers don’t speak out we are allowing the mayor and council to do just that.

Steve Mantle

Red Deer