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Here's my nickel's worth
Published Dec. 2, 2003

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is our self-imposed property tax. It is encouraging to see how the community has stood up and let the teachers and school administrators know how much their efforts are appreciated. Our children learn more from our actions than our words.
If we truly believe in our children's abilities to succeed and show them the value that an education can add to their lives, then it is our responsibility to express these beliefs to our county commissioners; particularly the next time they are voting on the funding of the Cumberland County school system.
May God richly bless those who have paid the self-imposed taxes and thank you for supporting the teachers, students and the school system.
Tom and Debbie Netherton
Crab Orchard

Dear Chronicle,
We were greatly disturbed when we learned our county commissioners did not vote for the nickel tax increase for the schools. It never occurred to us to figure the amount we would have paid and send it anyway. Enclosed is our check to cover this amount.
Our thanks to Bob and Marilyn Johnson for taking the time to get this grassroots movement started. One person can make a difference.
Ike and Peggy Nicholas
Seminole Loop, Lake Tansi

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is our nickel per $100 tax difference (plus a little more) for the board of education. Our children are grown, but our grandchildren still go to school in New York state where our school taxes used to amount to over $500 per year.
The county commission, with a few exceptions, should be ashamed of themselves, denying our county's children the benefit of a decent education, and shouldn't be surprised when they don't get elected in the next go-around, and around, and around, and around ...
Bill and Kathy Gilray
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed find my check for our schools.
A community is only as good as the schools it supports and the citizens it educates.
Cheri Stump
Laurel Circle

Dear Chronicle,
We, Pleasant Hill residents, are disappointed that our 8th District Commissioner Dennis Hinch did not vote for the small but important nickel tax increase for our schools. Our children are our county's most valuable resource and our future.
Enclosed is a contribution of $75 to cover what his increase would have been.

(Editor's note: The above letter was signed by the following: Ted and Donna Braun, Ben and Winn Welch, Len and Betty Stark, Charles and Gaby Hein, Ed and Goldie Schneider, Jean and Don Clark, Anthony and Aiko Carter, Dolores and Bill Derstine, Dick and Trudy Braun, Bill and Helen Naumann, Dave and Janet Howell, Ted and Marti McKnight, Herb and Peg Muenstermann, Helen and Emerson Abts, Jim and Dorothea Bowling and Phyllis Dickinson.)

Dear Chronicle,
It is with great pride that we make our contribution to the Nickel Tax Rebellion to be used to improve the education of the students of Cumberland County.
Our county has a 64 percent dropout rate and a 55 to 60 percent poverty level. One of the best ways to improve these numbers is to improve the education system and our county commissioners need to realize this. Athletics appear to be held in high regard in Cumberland County and academics should be regarded that way as well.
We, therefore, wish you to accept this check in support of the Nickel Tax Rebellion and the students of Cumberland County.
Lee and Sam Goldkopf
Thames Ct., Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Here's our tax rebellion check. A great idea!
Art and Ruby Pyzik
Genesis Rd.

Dear Chronicle,
Here is our nickel per $100 of my tax evaluation. It comes to only $6.57. I can certainly afford that much!
Owen and Carol Manchester
Pleasant Hill

Dear Chronicle,
Here's our nickel's worth. We usually get what we pay for in life!
Gene and Myra Holloway
Fields Rd.

Dear Chronicle,
Add our contribution to the Nickel Tax Rebellion fund. Not all taxes are excessive and not all government programs are wasteful. Education is a good investment in the future.
Ann and Hal Schoup
Pleasant Hill

Dear Chronicle,
Here is my nickel for the children of Cumberland County.
Roberta Goodwin
Pleasant Hill

Dear Chronicle,
We are enclosing our check for the nickel tax for Cumberland County schools. President Roosevelt knew the power of ten cents when he asked all the children of America to send in their dimes for polio ­ oh, so many years ago.
Let's hope that all Cumberland County will feel the need to help support their schools by sending in their donation to help the children.
Betty and Jerry Long
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
We wish to join the Nickel Tax Rebellion and enclose our check for $16. We commend those members of Cumberland County Commission for voting for an increase in taxes to better the education of our future generations.
On the other hand, we will seek to change those county commissioners who cannot hear the voice of their voters. The next election will be an important one as we elect people with vision.
Again, accept our contribution ... use it for our kids.
Davis J. Babcock
Lake Tansi.

Dear Chronicle,
Please accept our check for $23.40, our share of the nickel tax rebellion. It is our pleasure to help the children of Cumberland County. Shame on the county commissioners.
Dick and Barb Leach
Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
Please add our tax nickel to the total for the school board. We believe in education, and think that Crossville and Tennessee ought to, also.
Warner and Joyce Seibert
Pleasant Hill

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed you will find a check for our share of the Nickel Tax Rebellion. This is a small sacrifice that should benefit our grandchildren and all the children of Cumberland County.
Lewis and Judy Stover
Poplar St.

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is our check which represents our nickel's worth, based on our assessment. Please route it to the county board of education with our hope for increased quality education for the children of this county.
Tom and Sharron Eckert
Pleasant Hill

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is our check to participate in the Nickel Tax Rebellion. We are retired and have lived in several school districts where property taxes were very high. Education was excellent and our five children received the benefit.
Property taxes in Cumberland County are ridiculously low ­ thus poor education. What can our commissioners be thinking? We frequently hear it said, "Parents on the Plateau don't want their kids to be smarter than they are." It appears the commissioners are striving to prove that.
A major question: Is it safe to give these extra nickels to the county commission? Will they know what to do with all that money? Our share would pay for two meals on a Sunday at China King, so I am going to bump our donation up to $20.
Bruce and Lee Miller
Pleasant Hill

Dear Chronicle,
Enclosed is our check for the nickel tax assessment in the amount of $15.
We are retired citizens and never had children attend Cumberland County schools. However, we feel every child deserves the best possible education in order to achieve goals in life.
As former teachers, we know the value of learning in an excellent environment. Good luck.
Herb and Jean Kenz
Meadowview, Fairfield Glade

Dear Chronicle,
In protest of the county commission's failure to support education in Cumberland County by failing to vote a nickel per $100 assessed value tax increase, enclosed is our check for $16 to cover that assessment.
I was pleased that the commissioners from District 9 supported the increase, and wish to shame the other commissioners into reconsidering their votes.
Keeping teachers underpaid only encourages them to go to higher paying jobs in other counties or to give out in effort only what they have been paid for which is minimal effort.
I'm sorry your office has the burden of dealing with over payment of taxes, but that is so much better than the alternative.
Mary and Herb Kornguth
Snead Dr., Fairfield Glade