Todays Times includes a story about three local elected officials who are among those in Green County who are delinquent in paying their 2008 property taxes. One of the officials, a Monroe alderperson, owes taxes from the past two years on one property. Two others, Monroes mayor and a Green County supervisor, are delinquent on their second installments of payments on 2008 taxes.
All names of those delinquent in paying their property taxes are public record. But, obviously, the average taxpayer doesnt have a story written about them being behind on their payments. I and others at the Times discussed for some time whether and how to write todays story. Ultimately, we believe that public officials, who are elected by voters to make decisions on how to collect and spend their tax dollars, must be held to a higher standard. That is why the elected officials tax deliquency is news.
My questions to you today are: Do you think it is right to hold elected officials to a higher standard in regard to the paying of their taxes? Does it matter to you whether a public official is late in paying taxes?
Im interested in your responses. Make a reader comment below. Thanks!
All names of those delinquent in paying their property taxes are public record. But, obviously, the average taxpayer doesnt have a story written about them being behind on their payments. I and others at the Times discussed for some time whether and how to write todays story. Ultimately, we believe that public officials, who are elected by voters to make decisions on how to collect and spend their tax dollars, must be held to a higher standard. That is why the elected officials tax deliquency is news.
My questions to you today are: Do you think it is right to hold elected officials to a higher standard in regard to the paying of their taxes? Does it matter to you whether a public official is late in paying taxes?
Im interested in your responses. Make a reader comment below. Thanks!
