Mike Moser "I Say" Published Nov. 7, 2003

Nickel Tax Rebellion might make history

Cumberland County is undergoing a tax rebellion. Whether the civil obedience will be successful or not depends on you readers and the majority of Cumberland Countians.

It shall forever be known as the Nickel Tax Rebellion.

The idea of a tax rebellion is a radical idea, not unheard of in history, but radical all the same. The idea of taxpayers ignoring their those who set their property tax rates and voluntarily sending in checks to cover what they feel is a fair share is unheard of.

History gives us the Boston Tea Party, the whiskey rebellion and other civil acts of disobedience over taxation. But have you ever heard of a tax rebellion where citizens voluntarily paid higher taxes than they were assessed?

If it has happened anywhere else in my lifetime, I am unaware of it. And that is why today when you are reading this column, I will be delivering my fair share to go toward the cause of education for my children and thousands of others in Cumberland County.

While the voluntary tax rebellion was not my idea, I think I can proudly boast that I and my family will be the first of my kind to join the civil obedience. You see, I am not at this time a property owner in Cumberland County.

While I feel at times my wages are taxed to death by the federal, state and local governments, I pay no property taxes. So I called Tax Assessor Ralph Barnwell's office on Wednesday and asked for the appraisal of the house we live in. My contribution, based on the nickel per $100 assessed value, comes to $27.15.

My check will be hand delivered today.

The idea of the Nickel Tax Rebellion first was raised when a courtroom full of school supporters urged the county commission with impassioned speeches to grant the school board's request for a nickel increase in property taxes to help fund schools this fiscal year.

The county commission said no.

Many agendas were considered the night the vote was taken. Some I suspected were personal agendas. Some were genuine concerns expressed by some commissioners. Some commissioners opted not to say anything.

Commissioners expressed suspicions of the figures listed in the school system's proposed budget. Others expressed concern with whether the schools' plight was being projected accurately.

Still, many in the crowd that night spoke in favor of raising their own taxes.

Bob and Marilyn Johnson, a retired couple living in Lake Tansi, fired the first volley in the Nickel Tax Rebellion in a letter to the editor dated Oct. 10 when they were inspired by letters to the editor from Carry Mumford and Van and Jack Holtz.

The Johnsons included a check for $13.30 as their portion of the nickel tax increase with the footnote, "This isn't much but if half of Cumberland County would do this, it ought to show the commissioners we want the best education for our children."

Since then Carmin Lynch of Fairfield Glade sent a check for $24.32 and challenged county officials to join the cause. Richard Lammers of Pleasant Hill sent his $11.31 with this thought: "The five cents added to my property assessment tax isn't going to hurt me as much as not giving it to education (will)."

Paul Landers was inspired to send his $18.04 to cover his nickel tax increase and asked how many others would be willing to make this gesture "to further the education of our future county officials and community leaders."

The only thing bothering me is the common denominator of all those who have joined the Nickel Tax Rebellion ­ all are retired who do not have children in the county school system. Again I ask the question, where are the parents?

We have an opportunity to make history and show our elected officials, our community, state and even the nation that folks in Cumberland County care enough about the plight of our children and their schools that we are willing to do something about it.

Persons wishing to join the cause may send their nickels to the school board via the Chronicle (we would love to share your comments) or may deliver them directly to the school board's central office.

We will keep you updated.

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Mike Moser is the editor of the Crossville Chronicle. His column is published periodically on Fridays.