Asking for frugality not ‘abuse’

Editor:

The letters to the editor in the Jan. 29 edition should be read and re-read by every citizen of Madison County — especially by the board of supervisors. 
The letters from George Beker, M. Christopher Martino, Leri Thomas,  Supervisor Arrington and Herb Putz all have valuable points that make sense, but space here won’t allow quoting the important points that were made by each.

I have been wondering since the new tax rate was set several months ago why there was not a taxpayer revolt in Madison County.  The “powers that be” and the assessors paid no attention to the common knowledge that real estate values were dropping precipitously. 

When increased assessments were questioned we were told that taxes “wouldn’t go up much,” if any. The new lower tax rate was set and when my bill came I had an increase of 43.5 percent over the previous year! (The new assessment is greater than 235 percent more than I paid for the house 10 years ago and there has never been an assessor inside my house!)

Now they are saying again it won’t be “much.” How much will “not much” be the next time?

There are additional questions. Mr. Arrington is the voice of reason and how many times has he been denied the position of chairman of the board, and why? Why are the others not listening?

Do we need $1 million ballfields when income is down and expenses are up? 

Do cars need replacing when they have 100,000 miles on the odometer?  (The car I drive to work has almost 200,000 miles on it and it certainly will not be replaced this year.)

Will elderly and near-elderly citizens on fixed incomes (and no children in school) be forced from their homes because of the rapidly increasing cost of living here?

Asking the board of supervisors to answer questions, cut expenditures, and live within our means is not abuse.

Richard Collier
Wolftown