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Letters Dear Editor, In these times of high gas prices and everything going up in price, it's becoming mighty hard to make ends meet. When goods and services go up, isn't that inflation? It may be that the Federal Government is afraid to use that word. Our insurance cost is on the rise too, be it medical, dental, or ear insurance. If that's no bad enough, our taxes are on the rise. Land taxes go up every year now. Then there are all those fees, permits and late charges, aren't these also taxes? I don't recall getting to vote in these either. It seems that instead of putting taxes on the ballot they just sneak in the back door with hidden taxes. Wouldn't that be unconstitutional in some cases? Then there's that tag fee. You know the one I am referring to, the one that our illustrious commissioners came up with. That $25 fee that pays for the industrial site and the L.P. Mill at the north half of the county. If I was a betting man, I would bet you that not 30 people from this county will have permanent jobs there. Also, L.P. could be one of those companies that shut down the facility after five years and leave. Scotch Co. would probably be the only one to take over the mill. Of course our tag fee would keep going on forever. L.P. Co. probably will offer something fabulous like a new playground for a school or a donation to the library. (Big Deal!) What about out great governor? He has reduced taxes, given us a tax break, (started out as a tax refund, I'm still waiting by the mail box for that) and done away with yearly land reappraisals. Oh! I'm sorry that's just a campaign promise isn't it? Now he has that Plan 2010 he keeps referring to. That plan sounds more like IRS Form 2010 to me! I'm not sure we can stand another four years of his plans. Do you remember Siegelman's last four years? I don't think Lucy Baxley would do any better. We just don't have much of a choice in my opinion. We are just getting too much "Big Government" if you ask me. I think that if enough people get fed up with higher taxes, something could be done. Let's go back to the courthouse crowd, shall we? A few years ago, I received a notice from the Courthouse Appraisal Office that said our 10 acres was being reclassified as real estate instead of Forestry Land. I promptly went up there thinking this was a play to raise my taxes. The man told me my tax was not being raised, but I insisted on having it left as it was as Forestry Land. He did this but was reluctant. Our land has no improvements on it and obviously no one had checked it. I asked him why our land tax went up every year, and he told me that we have to keep up with the other states. I told him, to heck with these other states (this is the nice version). The last time I was at the courthouse I remember standing in line and was reading something that was posted, having to do with registering your vehicles (probably a new way to tax by registration). Then, I overheard the lady in front of me, she was buying car tags, say she had bought a new SUV and her total tag fee and tax came to $1,200.00. I could tell she was becoming red in the face, so I thought I might have to catch her if she fainted, but luckily she didn't. Someone later commented that she shouldn't buy those expensive cars, but it's coming to that as car prices soar. The higher the price, the higher the taxes! By now, you have figured that I am not a fan of "Big Government," and high taxes and government red tape (tax, fees, registration, and permits). I believe we need to have a talk with our legislators, and soon, before it's too late. It does not matter if it is city, county, state, or Federal, it's all the same (taxed to death). Oh yeah! Then, there is the Inheritance Tax, which I won't comment on at this time. Does anybody out there care? Let me hear from you on your opinions. Fed up in District One, Ronnie Wilson Grove Hill
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