TO THE EDITOR:

My husband and I are planning to move to Washington. I have been reading The News-Reporter to get a feel for the politics of the area.

We are deeply disturbed by the fact that taxes have been raised so much in the past couple of years. It gives me a feeling of trepidation when I plan to grow old in a place to watch taxes jump the way they do in Washington-Wilkes.

Now the city council is treating themselves to taxpayer-provided health insurance, and we are very disturbed by the latest news (and still trying to figure out the logic) of the city's condemnation of property for an amount 55% of what Rev. Edward Norman was paying taxes on: A $15,000 offer for property tax-appraised for $27,040. Mayor Burns' explanation that the county's appraisal for taxes was a different process from the city's fair market value appraisal for purchase is asinine. Typically, fair market value for tax purposes is below the real fair market value. Any system that has a disparity like this is wrong morally and should be illegal. Because you are anxious to perform urban renewal on a slum area is no excuse to trample on property rights, which are supposed to be central to the United States of America. Any system that has a disparity like this is wrong.

Things like this make me wonder exactly what country I am living in. Other Washington-Wilkes citizens need to pay attention to matters like this and protect this man's rights. Just keep in mind that if this can happen to Rev. Norman, it can happen to you also.