Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

To The Editor:

To pay for foolish spending and in the name of schools, Charlotte County is trying to trick you into agreeing to a 6.3% sales tax, a full penny higher than the current 5.3%.

Charlotte’s real estate tax rate at $.0.62/$100 is much higher than Lunenburg County. For example, annual property taxes on a $100,000 home in Charlotte are $620 while taxes on the same home in Lunenburg are $380. Charlotte’s personal property taxes are also higher. Our tax and spend county government is out of control, having maxed out real estate taxes they have schemed to tax you more with a new sales tax.

Foolish Spending #1 – A $14.5 million courthouse with excessive operating costs when a functional courthouse with ample parking could have been built on county property near the jail for likely two thirds the cost. The reason told for not spending less was a referendum was required to move the courthouse. Why is the county now willing to hold a referendum to raise taxes when they would not hold a referendum to keep taxes low?

Foolish Spending #2 – Patching three old elementary schools with a declining student enrollment and excessive operating cost when all new would have cost little more. Our children could have had a new facility designed for today’s educational system and equal opportunity for all students, with much lower operating costs. But the School Board would have none of that as they cannot close Bacon District Elementary. The real reason to keep Bacon open is one of those things no one wants to talk about.

Virginia’s sales tax started in 1966 at 3% and has steadily increased. Do you think the proposed 6.3% sales tax will ever be reduced? Have you ever seen a sales tax lowered?

Do not be tricked. Tell our elected officials to stop the foolish spending. Vote “no” to higher taxes.

Terry Ramsey

Charlotte Court House