Public has a 'vested interest' in protecting property from rising taxes

Editor:

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Barry Paschal's Dec. 9 column regarding "vested interests" and Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson's plan to eliminate property taxes ignored the public's vested interest in controlling property taxes on their homes and businesses.

The "whole truth" is that Columbia County's property tax revenue increased 15.5 percent in 2007 - more than five times the inflation rate! If left unchecked, the appetite for tax revenue will soon exceed the taxpayers' abilities to continue to rent their properties from the county.

I urge you to look more closely at the speaker's plan. If you still disagree, offer an alternative that will protect us and our properties.

Bill Trotter

Evans