Our readers write

Tax increases
not the answer

To The Editor:
I am truly sorry to hear that the county’s budget problem is going to cause you to increase our wheel tax (See related story, Page 1), our property tax and that you took $500,000 out of the county nursing home fund. That seems to solve the problem.
However, my pay has not and is not going to increase, so since you cannot balance the budget, mine must be cut, because I have no avenue to force a tax increase to resolve my budget shortfall.
You say that you cannot cut anymore. I can’t either, but I must. So I ask you, where do I cut?
Food? Medicine? Clothes? Shelter? Tithing to my church? It’s got to come from somewhere.
Before your next meeting in August, ask the people of Obion County how you should vote. As for me, make no mistake, I ask you to vote no more taxes. Period. Balance the budget; cut what you must. Every level of government — local, state, USA — must come to realize that increasing taxes must stop. This county is already suffering the loss of Goodyear and it will effect everyone, but then to increase taxes on top of it all, what are you thinking?
To the people of Obion County, now is the time to tell your commissioners how you feel.
It should be majority rules. If they fail to vote to your satisfaction, for or against, the next vote is yours; use it.
Joe Wilson
Troy
OC should live
within means
To The Editor:
In 1976, we, the taxpayers of Obion County, voted yes to a $10 wheel tax because we were promised the money would go to much-needed improvements of county roads. We were also told this tax would probably be repealed in about five years. After 35 years, this “temporary” tax has quadrupled and now the commission’s budget committee wants to raise it again to $50. What is wrong with all of you? What were you drinking or smoking when you came up with that brilliant plan? (See related story, Page 1)
It is bad enough that gasoline prices are close to $4 a gallon, which is putting a strain on the working people of this country, but now we are losing the county’s largest employer, Goodyear, and the 1,900 jobs it provided. Increasing taxes will only add to the economic burdens on everyone. Also, increasing taxes will make it harder to attract any new manufacturers to this area.
It was reported there is a $1.6 million deficit in the county general fund. As a taxpayer, I want to know why. What have you been doing with our money? Another question I have is: Of the $40 wheel tax, how much of it actually goes to the highway department? Give us an accounting, in writing, of where our tax dollars are going.
It is time for government — both local and national — to start living within its means like the citizens it represents.
Pam Puckett
Troy

Published in The Messenger 7.27.11

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