Dear Editor:
Business Improvement Associations: The good, the bad, the ugly!
As a businessman I've paid little to no attention to BIAs. For starters, I'm in business to make money. My efforts to satisfy customers are fiscally motivated.
I'm not in business to build a better community, or assist with the cost of municipal renovations, or supplement the cost of policing, etc.
It's not that I don't care. It's just that those things have nothing to do with business, unless it can be proved that they contributed to the bottom line.
James Crosty has voiced multiple concerns (Uptown plan raises too many questions, In My Opinion, The Record, Jan. 31). So he, and all business persons, should. A few minutes spent researching BIAs from their humble beginnings in a Toronto suburb in 1968 to the bloated beasts they've become, yield few business cases to support their existence.
The good: Plenty of well-attended festivals of food, drink and music to rave about, but did the profits generated cover the tax increases to business?
The bad: BIAs are a not-so-clever way of shifting the tax base. Decorative lighting, landscaping and artsy banners on lamp posts are great, but how did they become the responsibility of the business community? Shouldn't those costs be borne by all taxpayers?
The ugly: Well, that's the truth as usual. The best way to improve business is to let business figure it out for themselves. Some complain about cheque cashing services, while others go on about dollar stores. Like it or not, folks, business knows more about this fine city than you do.
When we change, so will business. There is no amount of landscaping or fancy sidewalk pavers that will change that reality.
New West has the good fortune of having a fabulous urban garage winery, Pacific Breeze. When was the last time you picked up a bottle of their Killer Cab? I was excited to learn that Steel & Oak will be continuing on with the Royal City's history of brewing beer. Will you join me in supporting them?
Loyalty is given, not taken. Taxation weakens business. It's only we, the collective us, that strengthens it.
Brad Porcellato, New Westminster
