Making free... (From York Press)
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Making free...
9:55am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Letters
I DO not pretend to be an enthusiast for the edifice entitled Splash Palace, but I have felt thoroughly cheated as a council tax payer since it closed.
The replacement facilities have the audacity to charge me for the privilege of relieving myself, where once it was free.
The alternative is a significant detour out of the city centre for a simple natural function. I begrudge paying twice for a council service I have already paid for.
As one gets older, the need to make use of these places increases and therefore it is a tax on the elderly too. If anything forces me to visit Monks Cross, etc, to do my shopping where this facility is available free of charge, this does.
David Monk-Steel, Holgate, York.
Comments(2)
Buzz Light-year
says...
8:27pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Splash Palace, but I have felt thoroughly cheated as a council tax payer since it closed.
Ok Mr Monk-Steele...
Light version:
Yeah, me too. That's why I've got together with some others from round here and we've organised a "Community Splash Palace". Through events and sponsorship we've raised funds and we've dug a huge hole in the local park which can only be accessed by grimy steps which are so dangerously slippy that we've had to install a handrail that no-one in their right mind would touch unless they wanted to share bodily fluids with a thousand people who chose not to wash their hands cos the basins looked muckier than the bowls.
When we raise more cash we'll install the high-density ammonia supply and eventually we'll be able to pay someone full time to wet the floor and randomly leave chewing gum, fag packets, needles and nappies in there.
Importantly everyone will be welcome regardless of how much council tax they pay.
Not so light version:
Council tax is a tax. You are not buying goods and services. You are not paying twice.
Tax is not a a consumer service. It is not retail.
By definition you should feel cheated because you have been taxed regardless of what is closed/ open/ not good enough.
Anyway just walk twenty yards further, stand on some escalators and bingo - these aren't just toilets but M&S toilets...
Stevie D says...
4:58pm Wed 8 Feb 12