Well, it’s almost been a year since I created Propertize, an application that screen-scrapes the existing government website to make is easier to compare your property assessment to the rest of the street, and it seems that a lot of people have been asking about it lately!  If you are wondering why I did this, then just try using the existing government application – the user interface is terrible!

Just click the image below to check it out:

As always, send along any feedback!

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase had a great article in this weekends Telegraph-Journal on property taxes, check it out:

This week homeowners in New Brunswick were delivered their pre-Easter presents – only it wasn’t the Easter Bunny bringing colorful and tasty delights, but rather the tax man and his grim property tax bills. This certainly has made many people grumpy. Saint John Common Council decided to hold the tax rate despite a growing chorus of discontent from the citizens that their property taxes are too high, and despite the tax accountability measure issued by the provincial government, which recommended that the tax rate be dropped by about 5 cents.

Stephen Chase walks uptown with the Saint John Arts Centre in the background. Deputy Mayor Chase dismisses the idea that Saint John homeowners carry a lower tax burden than residents of municipalities where property values are higher. He says the city’s high tax rate and rising property tax assessments are putting pressure on families in a community where the average household income is relatively low.
I did not support holding the tax rate because I believe the tax rate is too high and that combined with rising property tax assessments, the tax bill is becoming unwieldy for many homeowners. One argument used to support not lowering the tax rate is that Saint John’s tax burden is the lowest in the province. The argument is meant to say that on a household basis, the tax bill is lower than elsewhere because of lower property assessment values.

This is a false argument.

I offer two points that support my assertion.

While historically Saint John’s property assessments may have been low, the times are changing. Property assessments are increasing and mostly evident in newer construction. To illustrate, I will compare two similar properties in Saint John and Fredericton.

A newly built semi-detached home on Downsview Drive in Saint John is currently on the market for $188,000. It is assessed at $173,600 and has a tax bill of $3,098.

In a comparable neighbourhood in Fredericton, a newly built semi-detached on Canada Street is on the market for $189,900. It is assessed at $156,700 and has a tax bill of $2,265.

The difference in the tax bill between the two properties is $833 in favour of the Fredericton property.

The Saint John property, with only a marginal edge on property assessment of 10 per cent over the Fredericton property, pays a tax bill 27 per cent higher. Hardly a lower tax burden.

Secondly, the tax burden must be considered relative to the individual household wealth in the community. Based on the latest census data, let’s consider the income levels in Saint John:

The medium household income for all family type households in Saint John is $51,042. In Fredericton, it is $60,705. In Moncton, it is $56,292. The medium household income for married couple households is $63,053 in Saint John, $72,382 in Fredericton and $67,281 in Moncton.

This data indicates that the City of Saint John has lower household income than either Fredericton or Moncton. What this means is that even though a property may have a lower tax bill than a comparable property in Moncton or Fredericton, the lower household income wipes out any notion of a lesser tax burden. In fact, with rising property assessments and weighed down by Saint John’s high tax rate, the tax burden on Saint John households could be the greatest in the province.

The argument that Saint John can justify a high tax rate because the overall tax burden is comparably lower than other cities in New Brunswick is no longer tenable. Growth and prosperity in Saint John will require a tax rate that is competitive to other municipalities. This will attract home buyers and new construction – both of which are required for sustainability.

Stephen Chase is deputy mayor of Saint John, elected at large by voters across the city’s ward constituencies.

So much for respect in the New Brunswick Legislature.

Yesterday, it was another “day at the circus” with Abel being Abel:

Opposition members Margaret-Ann Blaney and Paul Robichaud complained to Speaker Roy Boudreau about repeated insults hurled by Abel LeBlanc, a Liberal backbencher, toward Blaney.

But after both sides of the house agreed the solution was for all members to show more respect toward each other, the Conservatives were stunned when LeBlanc then gave Blaney “the finger.”

Although Government house leader Greg Byrne quickly stood and promised to deal with LeBlanc’s behaviour in caucus, there was no stopping LeBlanc as he jumped to his feet to make his feelings crystal clear.

“I’ll not apologize in this house for that young lady over there,” he said of Blaney, accusing her of lying about former tourism minister Stuart Jamieson.

Then turning his sights on Tory Dale Graham, LeBlanc said, “I’ll walk outside with any one of you here. Don’t ever laugh at me. Yes, I gave you that (gesturing with his middle finger) and I’ll give you that again (gesturing once more with his finger) and I’ll give you this (a fist) if you want to go outside. You’re a punk.”

Boudreau asked LeBlanc to withdraw his remarks. When he did not, the Speaker told him to leave the chamber, which he did.

I can’t be the only one counting down to the election this fall…

The voters will be sure to give you “some of this” Abel!

Last week the Telegraph-Journal printed the following opinion on PlanSJ:

Council knows public’s priorities
There are a number of ways one could interpret the rush of applications to serve on Saint John’s municipal planning committee.

Clearly, many citizens want to have their say in how the city will develop over the next 25 years. The question is, how much of the interest stems from the perception that council is not achieving enough progress on the city’s priorities?

This year and next, council will invest approximately $1 million on devising a new municipal plan. Such a plan is badly needed, since the city’s zoning and development strategy hasn’t been overhauled since the 1970s. But the magnitude of the investment is disappointing in a city where basic services such as reliable drinking water, well-paved streets and recreation facilities require significant capital investment.

Does City Hall really need a new storefront office to communicate with the public about planning issues? Does council really need an elaborate process to understand what residents want in terms of facilities and community development?

If so, there’s something wrong.

Citizens have been telling councillors what their priorities are since before the last municipal election. Veteran council members, such as Mayor Ivan Court, Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase, Chris Titus, Bill Farren and Peter McGuire, have heard the same concerns raised year after year. New councillors don’t have the same depth of experience, but they must be noticing certain common threads in the conversations they have with their constituents.

Council members should not need to muse about what kind of city people want to live in. One where the water is treated to national standards, and people can drive on the roads without losing hubcaps, bending struts or wrecking their cars. A place where their children can play hockey and soccer and baseball, and not need to walk in the street in winter because the sidewalks are impassable. A city where rainfall is collected and diverted before it floods streets and houses; where phone calls to municipal departments are answered or returned; a city whose administration is focused on improvement and which tracks quality control because it is proud to serve a public of neighbours.

Perhaps council should spend $1 million more on these priorities, which it already knows about and has made a public commitment to, and direct the city’s planning department to handle planning issues at a minimum of additional expense.

Today, local artist Sarah Jones had a great response printed:

PlanSJ seems like dynamic initiative

Sure, everybody wants clean water and passable roads, but these demands do not amount to a sound, effective or long-term urban plan. Contrary to what you suggest in your editorial, it is not necessary to sacrifice a long-term plan for short-term necessities.

And when your newspaper calls so frequently for governmental transparency and public consultation, I find this editorial critique of PlanSJ odd. After meeting the Citizens Advisory Group, attending the launch last week and checking out the great storefront in Brunswick Square, PlanSJ strikes me as one of the most dynamic initiatives and extensive community engagement projects we have seen in this city. Too bad you can’t see past the potholes.

SARAH JONES

Saint John

If we have all learned one thing from the recent NB Power controversy, it’s that citizens want to be engaged from day one. They want to have their thoughts and opinions heard.

PlanSJ is a process that will ensure the people in this city have a voice in the new municipal plan.

I believe in this process.

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

Some very exciting news in the TJ this morning.

Saint John’s Municipal Plan is official kicked-off and underway, read on for the details.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 28th, 2010:

SAINT JOHN – Mayor Ivan Court calls it the city’s newest hub.

A storefront location for Saint John’s municipal plan opened Wednesday in Brunswick Square.

“Actually it’s an extension of my office,” the mayor joked before a crowd of about 50 people, as he revealed a logo with the plan’s new official slogan: PlanSJ.

Onlookers sipped coffee in the mall walkway, where Court said he likes to hang out.

“It’s their city. They pay the bills,” Court said, gesturing to the people sitting nearby. “We have to listen. What do they want for their city, their children and their grandchildren?”

The city is undertaking a two-year process to rewrite the municipal plan – something that hasn’t been done since the early 1970s.

Public consultation is a huge part of the process, with a citizen advisory committee and the storefront as key pillars.

The plan will act as a legal document to direct the city’s growth, development and land use for the next 25 years.

The Brunswick Square location will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a couple Saturdays per month.

The smell of fresh paint lingered in the bright, white space. Maps and panels explain the process and plan, and a room at the back of the store has a white projector screen, several chairs and a table that could be used for children’s activities.

Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker of Urban Strategies Inc. said she hasn’t seen a city take such strides to involve the public in its municipal plan.

“This storefront will be the energy centre – the brain centre – of this plan,” she said. The Toronto-based consultants, along with Saint John-based ADI, will help city staff and the citizen advisory committee with the nuts and bolts of the plan.

Councillors Carl Killen and Peter McGuire, who sit on the advisory committee, were also on hand for the announcement.

“This will be council’s legacy as we move into the future,” McGuire told the crowd.

Council has earmarked $750,000 in the 2010 budget to create the new plan. Next year, that amount is expected to go down to about $250,000.

Dave Drinnan, who owns a communications company and will sit on the citizen advisory committee for the next two years, also attended the storefront opening.

“I’ve had a long-term interest in the city, both as a resident and in its economics, where it’s going,” Drinnan said.

“When they invited participation, I jumped at it.”

The city received 90 applications for nine citizen spots on the committee, Court said.

The way planners are reaching out to the community is encouraging, said Steve Carson, the chief executive of Enterprise Saint John.

“I think that’s really critical,” he said in an interview at the storefront.

“If it’s a Saturday morning, they’ll be able to come in and feel a real comfort. Some people aren’t comfortable with big office buildings and going to a floor at City Hall. This will really make it friendly, especially for the young people.”

Carson said creating a new municipal plan will be important for attracting new investment to the city.

On Wednesday night, the city held a public launch at the Market Square atrium. Planners and staff answered questions as residents wandered through the displays. There was also a public presentation.

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

Last week, I was asked to join a panel on CBC Radio in Saint John to discuss who we thought was a local newsmaker of the year, and this morning, I was on CBC Information Morning to talk about it.

I spent a lot of time last week speaking with people throughout the city, and I heard many different opinions; however, several events kept coming up with everyone I talked to.

This helped guide me in my selection for local newsmaker of the year.

I have chosen: Irving Oil.

While Irving Oil seems to be in the news quite often, I felt that there were several major events that took place in 2009 that justify Irving Oil as being the top local newsmaker of the year.

1) Decision to not move ahead with a second refinery

This was major news across Greater Saint John.  It was something that many residents felt was a “sure thing”.  Because of this, many people were shocked that it wasn’t going ahead after so much “energy hub” talk.

This massive development that would have: employed thousands of workers for extended periods of time,  caused many spin-off developments, and driven up property prices.

2) Irving Oil Headquarters

The headquarters plan was announced last year; however, this year has been full of discussions and debate over land sales, transfers, and construction.

Most recently, pre-construction work at the site began with 350 steel beams being driven into the ground to anchor the weight of the proposed building.

3) Canaport begins receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG)

There has been plenty of controversy with Canaport LNG over the years; however, no matter where you stand on the issue, the fact that it is now operational is big news.

• This is the first LNG terminal built on the east coast of North America in 30 years, and the first LNG receiving and regassification terminal in Canada.
• The LNG facility has a nominal capacity of 1.2 Bcf/day, enough to heat 5 million homes.

Local Trends

In addition to selecting a local newsmaker of the year, I’ve also been thinking about local trends, and there has been one that comes to my mind right away – condos in Saint John!

I think that this is an area that Saint John seems to be lacking in; however, this year, there has been an explosion in both the interest and availability of condos.

The best part is that much of the availability is in the uptown area.  Besides the obvious benefit of being an affordable option to many people, ownership also brings a lot of pride, which directly improves the neighborhood.

Predictions for 2010

I also have a prediction for 2010:

• If the decision on Peel Plaza goes ahead, the municipal tax rate will skyrocket, and the population will decrease.

People don’t live in a city because it has a fancy police station.  They live there because it provides the services that they want and need at a fair price (tax rate).

As a taxpayer, I feel that there is much work that must be done on the infrastructure side before any new building can go up!

Not a fan of the plan to sell NB Power?

Check out this hilarious protest song:

Like many people in Saint John, I’ve been trying to figure out how the sale of NB Power would affect the rate that I pay for power.

I asked the president of Saint John Energy for details, and I received the following response:

Shawn,

You’ve asked a very pertinent question. The honest answer is ..We don’t know, due to the lack of details at this time. As one of three municipal utilities (Wholesale class) in the province we are discussing a number of issues with costs being the prime focus. We hope to be meeting with the government in the near future to express our concerns. As the deal stands today with frozen rates for all but the industrial class, the Wholesale utility will lose money over the first five years due to the effects of inflation. Any loss must be made up from rates. It will be our intent to maintain the benefits we bring to our respective municipalities as this proposal moves forward. Thank you for your concern.

Eric J. Marr, P.Eng.
President & CEO
eric.marr@sjenergy.com

This runs contract to Mayor Ivan Courts comments on the matter.

Following meetings with Premier Shawn Graham and others in the provincial government, Court said Saint John power rates should actually go down.

“My understanding is whatever reduction is going to industry will go to Saint John Energy. So there should be actual savings,” Court said. “What we have now we’ll still have, but there should be actual reductions.”

However, this wouldn’t be the first time the Mayor is completely wrong on a given subject.

It was only a few months ago that the Mayor suddenly announced that the province would be chipping in $59 million dollars for water treatment.  It turned out that he was wrong on the subject, and according to Saint John Energy, he is also wrong on energy rates.

While we await more details, it looks like this deal isn’t just bad for us in the long term – it’s going to be bad for us in the short term too!

A lot has been said over the past week around the sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec.

Regardless of where you stand, one thing is clear – this is a very contentious issue that will not be settled by a million dollar (tax-payer funded) PR campaign by the government.

I believe strongly that this issue is so important (as it WILL affect each and every New Brunswicker) that it can only be decided by calling an election.

If the government believe so strongly in this plan, then they should be willing to fight an election on it.

After all, this government was elected to represent the people of this province.  If the people in the province want NB Power sold – they will vote according.

Shawn Graham – don’t sell out our province in a backroom deal.  It’s our NB Power just as much as yours.  We own the assets along with the debt.

Let us decide what to do!

What do you think?  Comment below, or post your thoughts on Twitter using the #nbpower4sale hashtag!

Don’t forget to join the “NO to Sale of NB Power” Facebook group!

I read a great article in Opinion section of today’s TJ:

Instead of the mayor and councillors looking into the ownership of Saint John Energy, maybe it should be the other way around. Let Saint John Energy determine the ownership of old Saint John, acquire it and get us into the black for a change.

Don’t think for one minute that the city fathers have any intention of doing any favours. They just want to destroy something that appears to be working too well in order to pay off some of their ever-increasing debt. Let’s not let this happen.

There are too many horror stories from places that have “sold off” their electrical providers only to be shafted by the new buyer with exorbitant energy rates and poor service.

Let’s fall back and regroup on this one. And while you and your provincial counterparts are tramping around in the same market, selling off electrical independence, get them on board with the proper decision too.

JOHN MacDONALD

Saint John