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Readers sound off on Tax Rebellion
Published Nov. 26, 2003

The first shots were fired, in what has become known as the Nickel Tax Rebellion, when letters to the editor by Carey Mumford and Val and Jack Holtz were received in the offices of the Crossville Chronicle regarding the Cumberland County Commission's failure to pass a five-cent tax increase to further fund education in the county. Those letters were published in the Oct. 10 Crossville Chronicle. After that, a letter arrived from Bob Johnson suggesting property owners voluntarily send in the nickel the board of education had requested. That suggestion led to one of the most phenomenal outpourings of voluntary taxation since neighboring states approved the lottery; but this time the money will stay right here in Cumberland County. Homeowners, even renters, have been sending in checks equal to 5 cents per $100 of assessed value on their homes to the Chronicle office. The Chronicle will, in turn, entrust the money to a foundation being formed to handle the money for the Board of Education. The letter from Bob Johnson and a few of your friends and neighbors in Fairfield Glade follow:

Dear Chronicle,
Thanks to Carey Mumford, Val and Jack Holtz for their letters in the Oct. 10 Chronicle.
Let's find out just how many Cumberland County people really feel about the "lack of the .05" increase in property tax for education.
My condo assessment was $26,600. That times five cents per $100 equals $13.30. Enclosed is my check for that amount. The commissioners are to keep their hands off this money.
This is not much, but if half of Cumberland County would do this ... it ought to show the commissioners we want the best education for our children.
Bob Johnson
Big Horn Dr.

Dear Chronicle,
I wish to commend the letter to the editor from Bob Johnson in your Oct. 29 edition concerning the $.05 for the education tax issue. I applaud him for taking a personal action and I am enclosing my check for $24.32 representing my "nickel's-worth."
I would hope other Cumberland Countians, including county officials, who favor increased educational spending, will join him in his efforts.
Carmin E. Lynch
Creigmont Dr.
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
We are pleased to send along our phantom tax check in support of the schools which we ask you to forward directly to Dr. Ragsdale. It saddens us to think of the children of our community who are victims of the stubborn, short-sightedness of our commissioners.
It is downright embarrassing to us all that, for example, our underpaid teachers feel they must purchase school supplies with their own money. It is a shame those who sit as commissioners cannot demonstrate a willingness to trust the new board of education and superintendent.
I urge Dr. Ragsdale to have patience, and know that the commissioners do not necessarily represent the views of all of us. Hopefully, this debacle will be remembered at election time.
Dan and Sherry Jacober
Littlemore Terrace, Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
I applaud your efforts and those of the Johnsons in trying to right a wrong done by the county commission. I am not a property owner but am the parent of two children who attend Cumberland County schools,.
I will make a contribution to the Nickel Tax Rebellion based on the value of my current home/property I rent. Our children deserve and should receive the best education possible.
If the county commission cannot approve an increase, then we, as child advocates, can! Thank you and the other child advocates of this county who care.
Angel Brewer
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
We think the members of our community have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate their solidarity and their ability of working together by voluntarily taxing themselves the additional nickel per $100 assessed value for the education system of Cumberland County.
Such action demonstrates the commitment that the citizens of our county have to the future of its development as well as the development of the future of our young people. Kindly accept our share.
As Mr. D stated in his letter of Nov. 7, we need to prepare the youth of our community for the competitive world that lays before them. However, we also need to prepare our children to learn to work together and what better way is there to do that at this time than to forward our small shares to the school system that needs it.
As for ourselves, we think this might also demonstrate to the political systems of our communities the urgent need we have to cooperate with one another and to look within ourselves as to just where our values lie.
Myron and Marcella Hornyak
Lakeside Dr., Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed please find our check in the amount of $16.75 for the Nickel Tax Rebellion Fund to be delivered to the Board of Education. My husband and I were very impressed with your recent article and wish to add our names and dollars to the needs of our school district.
As an aside, I have forwarded your article to our son, Erich Murphy, who is managing editor of the Pontiac (Illinois) Daily Leader and an advocate for good school systems in his area and state. Thank you for assuming responsibility for this wonderful cause.
Judith and Ron Murphy
Jasper Dr., Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Please pass this check to the Cumberland County Board of Education to support education. Thanks to you for publishing concerning the Nickel Tax Rebellion. There's nothing more precious than the welfare of the children of Cumberland County and their education.
Pete and Bonnie Pino,
Brompton Ct., Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is our check for $27.31 which represents our nickel's worth based on our assessment. Please provide it to the county board of education. We are retired and have no children in the school system, but we understand we can make no better investment than investing in the children of this county.
We hope our county commissioners will soon realize this obvious fact.
Don and Kitty Lebowitz
Augustine Lane, Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
This is to join Bob Johnson in his effort to help the school system in Cumberland County.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Minnich
Dovenshire Dr., Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Here is our nickel increase for education.
Charles and Geraldine Lowder
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
I think we should do whatever is necessary to increase the graduation rate from Cumberland County High School. Here is my contribution of $27.04.
Herbert Noble
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is my nickel's worth of additional tax to benefit the school children of Cumberland County. I'm a retired school teacher and am on a very fixed income, but cannot believe the low priority education has in this area of Tennessee.
Our children are the future. They really need all of the education possible to carry on the work they will have to do to keep this state and the county going when the old folks and the babyboomers and the naysayers are long gone.
Phyllis Mohr
Delbridge Lane, Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
When our generation is in our rocking chairs or residents of a nursing home and cannot guide our country, not withstanding our right to vote, it will be today's children and young people who will literally hold our world in their hands.
How can we not consider the worth of providing the finest education for this future generation. The need is overwhelming and the tax so small a price to pay.
Here's our nickel's worth of additional tax to benefit the school children of Cumberland County. The first step begins in our own backyard.
John and Mary Ann Taylor
Robin Hood Dr.

Dear Chronicle,
I have enclosed a check for the nickel on the $100 assessed valuation of my property tax for Cumberland County schools. I feel this is a small investment that is justified for the education of the county's children.
Elected officials must understand that Cumberland County has little hope for the future without an educated population. We must improve our schools to give our children the opportunity they deserve.
Jean and Sandy Liberty
Mountain View Dr.

Dear Chronicle,
Please forward my check to the Cumberland County school board to support the Nickel Tax Rebellion.
Edward Bullock
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
What I don't understand is how can there be talk of a new high school and the commission won't pass a nickel tax increase.
Leta Gilbert
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
We are pleased to enclose our check for $20, representing our contribution for increased educational spending in Cumberland County.
Harold and Beverly Garrison
Kingsboro Lane, Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
This is to inform you that we are in favor of the Nickel Tax Rebellion. Enclosed is a check representing our share of the nickel property tax increase for education.
We are retired and do not have children in the school system, but we feel that education is most important for the future of our community and our country. We hope the Cumberland County Commission will listen to the taxpayers and vote in a positive manner.
Paul and Joan Kennedy
Walden Ridge Dr., Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is our nickel per $100 of our home assessment which is to go to the schools. We do not have children in the schools, but believe in educating every child.
A.J. and Corrine DeRubeis
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Please add our names in the Nickel Tax Rebellion to help support education in Cumberland County. We pray that many who can afford to pay the "nickel tax" will send it in.
Thank you Mr. Johnson, for being the first to take action for the great cause. Enclosed is a check for $15.
Robert and Pauline Rocheleau
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Our leaders of tomorrow need education today.
Lucy B. Eckert
Druid Landing

Dear Chronicle,
Shame on the Cumberland County Commission for turning a blind eye to education. All they have done with their negative "just say no" attitude to our children is put one more roadblock to our future leaders.
What were they thinking?
John and Fran Kinnunen
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed please find our nickel tax contribution to the school budget. We read all school news and I am a volunteer in the schools. As a former teacher and as parents, it is beyond our comprehension that the county and school board members will not fully fund the schools.
Our children are our future. They deserve the best teachers, facilities, books and materials that money can buy. That nickel should be multiplied many times over.
Please settle any disagreements and come together for the sake of the children and this fine community.
Beverly and Carl Olin
Fairfield Glade