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Let’s keep Piper Creek requisition in perspective

On May 3, the Piper Creek Foundation requisitioned the City of Red Deer for $235,000. City council, as it debated this issue, brought up a number of issues that I would like to address.

On May 3, the Piper Creek Foundation requisitioned the City of Red Deer for $235,000. City council, as it debated this issue, brought up a number of issues that I would like to address.

First of all, I would like people to understand that this money does not affect their city services. In fact, none of the money the foundation receives comes from the city budget.

The money comes directly from the taxpayers; the only role the city plays is to collect the money on our behalf.

As a member of the board of directors, I am one of five community members who participated in the decision to ask the taxpayers of Red Deer to support seniors housing in this community.

Our board members are five community members, one resident of the lodges and Councillor Frank Wong.

We are taxpayers just like you and take this decision very seriously. We also take our responsibility to offer safe, affordable housing to our seniors very seriously.

Did you know that we are the oldest lodge operator in the province of Alberta? We have been providing an affordable option to low-income seniors for over 50 years.

We have been able to do this because we work with our community and manage the foundation’s operations in a fiscally responsible manner.

Finally, I wanted to put this requisition in perspective.

We have not requisitioned the citizens of Red Deer since 2002.

From 2002 until 2008, the citizens of Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Fort McMurray have contributed more than $5.4 million through their requisitions. That’s an average of $767,000 per year.

In that same period of time, we requisitioned $22,000 in 2002.

When you look at your tax bill and see the requisition for the foundation, please know that your money is managed in the most responsible way and you are now directly supporting affordable housing in your community.

We want to thank you for your support and we will continue to let the citizens of Red Deer know how we are spending their money.

Karen Burnand

Chair,

Piper Creek Foundation