Maria Canton
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 09/99) - If ratepayers created a loud enough roar, they may be able to change council's mind about the six per cent tax mill rate increase, says Councillor Cheryl Best.

"We need to take action now. There seems to be a feeling that we can wait until next year to act, but I don't think that's good enough, it needs to happen now," she said Wednesday.

Best (left) was speaking out at a press conference held to address the concerns of upset taxpayers.

About 30 people gathered at the Yellowknife Inn to join forces and discuss what measures will be taken.

Mayor Dave Lovell, however, says increasing taxes was a hard decision for council to make, but the only other option was to cut services.

"There's a lot of public opinion against increasing taxes," he said.

"But there's also a lot of public opinion against cutting services...the choice here is to raise taxes or cut out something big."

Lovell, who has been in Iqaluit since last Monday at a Capital Cities conference, thought the idea of a tax revolt was "presupposing" a lot.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce, who was present at the press conference, said phones have been ringing non-stop at the office.

"We were in disbelief over the decision they made, we thought it would be defeated," admitted Gordon Van Tighem, chamber president.

The chamber has organized a rally to take place outside city hall Monday at 6:30 p.m. before the regular council meeting.

"It's time to get involved. We've seen Yellowknife become more affordable over the years, but the only thing that keeps going up are public costs," Van Tighem said.

The public voiced concerns over the city's spending on beautification, the out-of-town bus contract and the fact that the city chose the middle of summer to introduce the tax hike.