Former councillor and Chief Administration Officer Michael Pawliuk is calling for greater restraint by Town of Two Hills Council when implementing increases which adversely affect the large population with limited income. Mike Pawliuk, who served as Town Manager for thirteen years and subsequently served on Town Council for ten years, said that over the last few years, there have been steady and constant increases in various aspects of the towns operations, including steady increases in taxes and the implementation of additional fees for water, franchise fees, etc. “The fixed cost of living in my home is constantly increasing and places an unfair burden on those of us with a fixed income. The requisitions, increase in utility costs, insurance and the cost of food has resulted in many of us finding it difficult to maintain our homes” said Pawliuk. “The surcharge on water, recreation taxes, and healthcare is increasing steadily and we’re asking Town Council to carefully consider these expenses when preparing the town’s budget. “In addition to this the cost of maintenance and labor in our homes has also gone up steadily. I urge council to consider that every increase in our old age pensions are limited to a few dollars per annum and this hardly covers of not only maintaining our residences but our daily living expenses. “Simply living in my home, costs me over $4000 of fixed costs, which does not take into account the cost of groceries, etc. Seniors and low income residents are finding it extremely difficult to continue to live in small towns with ever increasing costs. “I sincerely hope that the town takes this into consideration when it thinks of imposing additional financial burdens on the population of the Town of Two Hills. “As a handicapped senior, what extra assistance, for eg. Snow-shoveling, is the town providing seniors for tax dollars?’ concluded Pawliuk.