The Roseau City Council says it is getting tough with those in the capital not paying their house rates.
Mayor Cecil Joseph while not giving the exact figures involved, said the rates were reasonable and people in arrears should settle outstanding debts or face the unpleasantness of being taken to court.
He said one of the council’s greatest setbacks is the reluctance of too many served by the City council to meet their commitments to the council to ensure that the municipal body is able to provide the services it is expected to.
The mayor said the council has been forced to take people to court over non-payment of rates.
“I am very happy with some of the results that the courts are giving us now,” Mayor Joseph said, explaining that some citizens were facing the prospect of going to jail if they don’t pay up by a stipulated period.
He told Dominica News Online that he was not daunted by the thought of possible political fallout because of the tough stand being adopted by the City Council.
“It’s not about popularity, I always know that a leader has to do something not only for today but also for tomorrow, and I’m really preparing for the next mayor who’s going to be coming in, to ensure that people understand the value of paying their rates,” Joseph, who indicated that he is serving what will in effect be his last term in office, explained.
According to the mayor, those owing the council include both householders and business property owners in the city.
mayor cecil joseph good job you all are doing in roseau keep wih the good job
omg people time has change so can you what so wrong with paying taxes and it helps the people that pick up the garage and fix the street and work for the capital of roseau we complain how the street is so dirty but we dont want to pay to have the capital look cleanand fresh and some of that taxes goes towards paying the same dumb people who complain wake dominican people pay the taxes everywhere govenment is the same shit u guys think da is everywhere is hard for everyon the rich middle class and the poor stop complaining to do something aboit it all you all want is what the government going to do for you what you going to do to help the government help you all i hear is poor us wake up help yourself
i going take you to court for stealing wine and beer in our party
Roseau is in the most deplorable ,run down , AND EMBARRASSING state I have ever seen. I do not know whether it is a case where the money owed is the solution ,if so then that system is not beneficial to anyone . Mr Mayor take some pride in the functioning of your job.Solid Waste does a much better job than city Council . The Govt does not have to do everything . Take example from the village councils . Buck up . Check up and monitor that which is in urgent need of fixing.
Just more money for someone pocket! Mind me, i know what i saying!
drag all of them to court. collect your taxes to buy more garbage bin from dopwell.
why must someone own a house in the town and still have to pay house rate in this hard time here? Don’t you find you all too wicked? People can hardly even pay their bills muchless morgage
ANywhere in the world, they would have to pay. Parro these are just the facts of life
they have to pay the taxes that one thing i think in dominica that the citizen get away with paying tax and the tax in da is not that becuase my tax is $9,000 a yr plus my imcome tax
who cares, pass your rear in d/ca and pay tax here instead… man salary not even 6000 a year here yet you opening the hole in your face polluting our environment
“Finally! “Yes I said it” Hats off to the mayor what took you all so long? its not a matter of popularity its a matter of doing the right thing,and giving to Cezar what is due to him” In this case paying our taxes which will aid to provide some of the services we always crow about. Simply put some of us and I repeat Some of us as Dominicans do not do our part to keep our country on the right track but[ some of us ]who the cap fit,] just blow our top complaining about what is or not done whilst some people are the very ones that think certain cevic responsibilities does not apply to them it`s about time some people stop and realize and ask them selves what can be done to promote the cause of our lovely Dominica instead of puting Dominica Down and acting like it`s not their business to do the right thing that mind set is killing our Dominica to the point that it always takes one to resort to the big stick and strike us to the head in order to have some people understand it`s a “WE THING” NOT the Mayor,or the Police ect,ect,thing. If we do not rid ourself of that mentality least we all go down together. Wake up my people we all know very well the things we ignore and take for granted in Dominica are the very same things we gladly comply willingly, any where outside of Dominica. Now sound off, I`m sick and tired of the BS taking place in Dominica. Make my Day for the Love of my Country. I remain a humble servant and will always be for D/ca.
Why should Dominicans pay taxes & rates when we have so much corruption in Govt?
wat is the sense to pay house rates when city councel not cleaning in my area stupes
Maybe that’s why they are not cleanning – No money to pay for the clean up
Perhaps its a case of which came first – chicken or egg?
AS I SEE IT
ABOUT TIME MR.JOSEPH NOW YOU TALKING
JUST DONT AGREE ABOUT GOING TO JAIL
THEY SHOULD LOST THEIR HOMES FOR NONE
PAYMENT OF TAXES
THERE NAMES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE INLAND
REVERNUE SO WHEN THEY ARE TRAVELING ALL TAXES SHOULD BE PAID BEFORE THEY GET THEIR CLEARANCE TO TRAVEL.
GOOD GOING I REALLY SUPPORT THAT.
Yah boy the beer and wine was not enough
you want money know lol lol
This is stupid and childish…grow some substance
Very good move mister mayor,
Please do not let this be a personal or political vendetta. Just do it fairly across the board, leaving no stones unturned, neither for it to be only one set get penalized and not your supporters or party supporters.
Please Mr Joseph ensure that your staff update the records before taking anyone to court. I am paying through salary deductions and it was rather surprising that so many months were not updated on my record at the RCC.
Yep, they need to make sure their records are updated and correct.
it was time something be done. Same thing needs to be applied to Portsmouth as all these people in Picard and Gutter not paying tax to run the town. Haterz I done care about your thumbs down. Only the same set paying.
Mr. Mayor can you please tell me what we are paying house rates for?
Who should pay for your services???? Sewage/Garbage Collection
garbage collection is already paid for when we buy in the shops and stores.. because we pay environmental levy on everything entering intb dominica..
f@#$ house rate man cannot even survive in dat damn country,. money going one place we cannot even pay our bills because some man does there tiefing de country money and building villas, apartment, house and buying big pajero from tony and dem… boy f#@$^ allu and allu house rates
Solid waste is paid for garbage collection and DOWASCO is paid for Water