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The past has taught us that such injustices, once in place, can continue for years with little or no public protest.
Our Supervisors should be glad that some constituents still look to them for help in seeing that every property is treated fairly. The history of past official lack of concern about unequal treatment does not encourage one to hope for too much.
The apathy so evident in Rappahannock political life didn’t develop overnight. Public cyncism springs from years of unfair treatment—the very unfairness acknowledged by Equalizer T. V. Williams. After that, why shouldn't people feel they "can't fight city hall” and that it will be "business as usual”? 1 have heard this too often in this county. Two members of the new Board of Equalization served as county tax appraisers in past years; the present chairman also chaired the old /tax board.
Moreoever, rural folks do not appear to be eager to attend public meetings or rummage through Commissioner of Revenue files. Many, many do not even realize they have that right—not only to review their own taxes, but to demand to see and then review their neighbors’ cards. And even if they know they can, is it not fair to assume that many are reluctant to do this, to be seen looking at a neighbor’s card?
Finally, some folks fear that they may not understand the cards—may make fools of themselves or appear ignorant. Even sophisticated people have trouble with these cards; many need the help of Commissioner Merle Scoggins (always freely and generously given, I might add.)
So, what could the Board of Supervisors—or the Equalization Board—do to make things easier for people? Well, for one thing, they could conduct small informal evening meetings around the county—teach-ins on tax assessments. Had it been done earlier, it might have assisted the work of the Equalization Board. Mrs. Scoggins could be invited to explain. A blow-up of a sample yellow card could be used to take the mystery out of the whole procedure, with
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