Published: May 12, 2008 07:10 pm            

Thanks for nixing Tazewell meals

We want to commend Seth White, Dave Anderson, and Vice-Chairman Bill Wimmer for voting against the food tax referendum. By their 3-1 vote, they saved Tazewell County $25,000 in election costs alone. Chairman Bill Rasnick was not there to vote against the spending for a special election. No doubt he would have voted with the majority in favor of common sense. Mike Hymes was the only supervisor wanting to spend the money for a special election. We don’t think this county has $25,000 to waste, nor did the majority of the board.

Mr. Mike Hymes accused the Tazewell Republican Party of dirty politics for running ads and asking people to come to the meeting. We don’t think this is dirty politics, just public awareness. We know that Mr. Hymes understands the democratic process and probably regrets this statement. This is participatory democracy, and it has become a rarity. Make no bones about it, there is a new Republican Party in Tazewell County. If Mr. Hymes wants to blame the new GOP for the defeat of the referendum, so be it. Can anyone explain why the cost of county government has grown exponentially over the last 20 years when our population has been stagnant, and actually declined; so much so the school board is already closing one high school? Regardless of the diversity of opinions that surround this debate, one thing is for sure, moms and dads, and the working class deserve all the tax relief they can get!

The taxpayers of our county deserve leadership that can say “no” to bloated government. They deserve government that is lean, efficient, and fiscally responsible. They deserve a choice, and a voice. Instead of name calling, we welcome Mr. Hymes to work with us and the other board members to “cut unnecessary spending” out of county government. This will ease the burden on working people, after all, working folks are the ones that always foot the bill. As soon as this fact is accepted, then our county will begin moving forward. We are taxed enough already. The working folks and senior citizens are paying enough taxes and high energy costs this year without raising taxes again and burdening our working class.

Aaron Roberts

chairman, Tazewell County Republican Party

        

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