Editorial

Editorial

Must Be Another Way

With the approval of the proposed school budget by the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors the tax payers in the county are looking at a real estate tax increase. As it stands with the $175,000 cut from the school budget that means 85 cents per $100 of assessed value of the property. For many that adds up to more than they can afford.

What’s the answer? We all want to give our children the best education we possibly can but at what cost? If residents are forced to move because they can’t pay their taxes, then those children won’t be here to benefit from the dollars spent on education.

Perhaps a better solution is one suggested by a member of the Board of Supervisors. If state employees’ raises were based on work performance rather than across the board pay raises it could save some money since those not deserving of a raise wouldn’t get one.

The Board will no doubt look for ways to cut a little more out of the county budget, but when about 70 percent of that budget is the school budget, there’s not a lot left to cut from.

Bottom line: We need to find others ways to generate revenue for the county besides raising real estate taxes.

Support Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will take place at the end of this month. If you’re not one who’ll join a team and get out there and walk, or can’t, then help support die Relay by supporting those who are going to walk to raise funds for cancer research.

Those of us in good health must help those whose health is not good by doing what we can. One day the shoe may be on the other foot. Help support the ACS in finding a cure for cancer.

Remember Mom

l In case you’re not aware of it, or maybe haven’t glanced at a-caleiidar lately, this Sunday is Mother’s Day. Take the time to write, call, send flowers or go see your mother. What she really wants alter all is to see you.