Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Alert! Alert! Despite getting a windfall of tax money in inflated car values even after reducing the tax rate, our county supervisors have voted to return the tax rate back to $4.50 per $100 of assessed value.  

A somewhat attempt to help the citizens of the county fight inflation has gone down in flames. The supervisors have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory one more time. 

Yes, citizens on Social Security have gotten a very good but needed cost-of-living raise effective in January. However, inflation has already increased over 5% this year. The supervisors are considering voting themselves a substantial pay raise that would offset any tax increase (inflation or otherwise) to go into effect next year. 

We just voted out a School Board that did not listen to the citizens. It is time the citizens take a hard look at the individuals running for reelection to the supervisor positions in the county come November. Sixty cents per $100 equates to $180 on a $30,000 vehicle. Most elderly people on Social Security or financially disenfranchised could eat/exist for at least two weeks on that. 

I wonder: Maybe the Supervisors saw a citizen that was somewhat overweight, then thought, “Well now, the citizens of the county are overweight. We can put them on a diet by reducing their income, thereby making them more healthy.” 

Yes, sir, gaining defeat from victory is the right and just way to proceed. Just because a tax avenue exists does not make it justifiable. Citizens, come November, make that the two-week period you give up existence and vote, vote, vote.

 

Ray Baxter

Windsor