Taxpayer's Association calls it quits

The North Bay Taxpayers’ Association, after years of battling city council on a variety of issues, has dissolved entirely effective immediately.

A news release says the decision was unanimous.

"We take this opportunity to thank our supporters for the encouragement, concerns, and ideas that all have put forward toward the betterment of our community over the past 5 1/2 years.," says a news release by President Miles Peters.

"You have all helped to raise the consciousness and engagement of our citizens at large while alerting the established entrenched leadership on the consequences and impact of their decisions and actions."

Peters is running for council along with Don Rennick. A former member, Gary Gardiner, is running for mayor. He resigned earlier this month.

"Although there is much more to be accomplished in the future, it is now time for our citizens to choose the leadership they desire to achieve the transparency, fairness, respect, measured performance and critical evaluation that will provide benefit and service for all within our community," continued Peters.

"As most of our citizens are aware The North Bay Taxpayers Association have stood firmly united with concerned citizens in their efforts to establish greater public trust and confidence in our political leadership and administration that had been found severely lacking, as was indicated in the Baylor Public Survey.

The Association has often had a stormy relationship with council, leading an angry Mayor Al McDonald to ban the group's treasurer Don Rennick from speaking to council until he had publicly apologized.

"We are confident we have done everything possible to bring the vital issues and public engagement to the forefront and now it is time for all citizens to turn the page and move forward. We have always stated that NBTA is the “one” organization that we wished had no reason to exist.

"We can rest assured that all that have served and comprised a vital component of The North Bay Taxpayers Association will continue to speak individually in support of 'The Common Good' and betterment of our community as their passion for our city and its citizens has not waned."