Francis Chester delinquent on Augusta taxes
VERONA — The Churchville lawyer leading the petition drive against Augusta County’s reassessessment owes more than $2,800 in real estate and personal property taxes.
Francis Chester is delinquent on $2,562 in real estate taxes on parcels in Churchville and West Augusta, and owes $328 in delinquent personal property taxes, according to records in the Augusta County Treasurer’s office.
“I’m not a hypocrite,’’ Chester declared Thursday. He said he can account for why taxes were not paid in December.
An employee, he said, told him that “we don’t have enough to pay payroll and real estates taxes. And if it’s taxes or employees, I will pay the employees.”
Chester employs 10 people in three separate businesses he owns. These business include a sheep operation, wool mill and his law firm.
Augusta County Treasurer Richard Homes said there is an “issue with anyone being delinquent.”
All county supervisors, assessors board members and department heads are current in the property tax payments, according to county records.
Augusta County Administrator Patrick Coffield said he is notified if any of the county’s employees are delinquent on taxes.
“This is why I’m fighting taxes for the people,’’ Chester said. “It’s about time we do something about it. We’re being taxed to death.”
Chester said he is paid when he finishes work or ships a product. “My money does not come in steady,’’ he said.
The attorney has mounted a petition drive to roll back the county’s reassessment, and will present the petitions when Augusta County supervisors meet March 11. Chester has said he will sue the county on behalf of taxpayers if supervisors do not act on the petitions.
Reader Reactions
Well, Mr. know it all. I would be ashamed to call anyone ignorant that I don’t know. But then again I was raised with respect. By knowing what happened you have to be a county employee. Why don’t you go to the NV website and send me a private e-mail, then we can meet and get this straight or better yet tell me when you would like to meet at the government center and we can ask the man himself.
you really are more ignorant than i thought blueboy1.
Homes didn’t bring this up, his office was contacted by someone checking on deliquent taxes so just because he’s doing his job responding to requests he shouldn’t get the bad rap.
Well Cementbrain, I was wrong with the spelling, but if you read the article Mr. HOMES is the one that brought it to attention of the media.
As I said before on the newsleader website…
WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT BLUEBOY1
First of all if you want to criticize the Treasurer get his name right….there is no “L” in Homes.
Second of all you need to understand the Freedom of Information Act. When a newspaper reporter or anyone from the public for that matter requests information that is in fact open to public inspection it must be turned over. So why are you trying to bash Homes or any other official for doing their job.
Mr. Chester chose to put himself in the spotlight by starting this petition business and it’s only expected with the way the media is today you can bet any trash in his backyard will be exposed.
The so the next time you want to start criticizing and bad mouthing someone just for saying something you just don’t want to hear you should redirect your ignorant threats and criticisms to the media instead of disrespecting those officials that are only doing their jobs. Thank you Mr. Homes and all of the other officials who are doing their best to serve the citizens.
2/27/2009 11:38:59 AM
What a lame attempt to discredit a citizen speaking out for his rights under the law. Pressure needs to be brought to bear to induce the elected leaders to correct this disreputable tax reassessment. Mr. Chester you are striking a nerve it seems, keep up the good work!
As I stated in the Staunton News-Leader Mr Holmes has stooped about as low as a man can go. Why didn’t he name all of the people in the county that are behind in their taxes. He should be ashamed to show his face public.
The fact that this man is delinquent is all the more reason to fight increased assesments that ultimately lead to higher taxes. From what I read Mr. Chester is one that makes a good living. If he is having troubles it only stands to reason that others of lesser means are having the same financial troubles. I admire him for the stand he has taken on behalf of his fellow taxpayers as well as his employees. During a time of economic crisis he has chosen to fight to get help as opposed to further burdening county taxpayers many of whom have lost jobs or had hours reduced.
This article is irrelevant to any of this assessment story. There are a lot of people who rather pay the 10% if late, and that is their right if you choose.
Mr. Chester, you are correct in taking care of your employees first.
Augusta county Attn. and Treasurer just put this out to try and pressure you, don’t fall for it!!!
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