Intimidation through taxes

Since The News Virginian has in recent days looked into the tax payment history of a private citizen and splashed that report all over their front page (“Chester owes IRS back taxes,” March 11), I wonder if they’ll expand their investigation? Those who have been following the recent tax revolt going on in Augusta County over the latest reassessment might also be interested in the tax payment history of the Board of Supervisors who voted against Tracy Pyles’ motion to set aside the 2008 assessments. While you’re at it, perhaps the board of assessors should also have their tax payment records made public.

Francis Chester argued that the reassessments were unfair and inconsistent and then had his tax payment history made public. Was this intimidation of a private citizen courageously standing up to a powerful government or just unbiased reporting of the news? Five of the seven supervisors argued the tax process was fair, as did the board of assessors, so lets report the news of their tax payment history as well; unless, of course, it was just intimidation.

Richard Williams

Augusta County

Editor’s note – The News Virginian, in the course of compiling its series of stories on the reassessment, checked the tax records of Augusta County supervisors and top government officials and found all were up to date in payments