Tax protestors at City Hall are, from left, Rick Skiles, John Erwin, Bobby Boback, Edna Taylor, Rhonda Thurman, Harold Henry, Doris Smith and Thelma Potter. Click to enlarge all our photos.
photo by John Wilson
A group of veteran tax protestors say they are fighting a projected city of Chattanooga property tax increase.
Edna Taylor and Rhonda Thurman were among those carrying picket signs at City Hall Tuesday night.
The subject of a tax increase was not on the City Council budget, but Mayor Bob Corker said a property tax raise is inevitable this year.
Mrs. Taylor said, "We are here to let them know that government belongs to the people, but they are trying to thwart the will of the people."
She added, "There are so many pathetic people out there who can't afford to pay higher taxes."
Mrs. Taylor said the city ought to raise money by selling off the Chattanoogan conference center, cease public-private partnership endeavors, stop hiring "expensive outside consultants and experts," and "put a freeze on all increases in salaries and taxes until we have a more stable government."
Mrs. Thurman, who earlier led a successful effort to stop a local wheel tax, said, "The people are saying 'Enough is enough.'
"They need to cut their expenses because the people can't afford to pay any more taxes.
"They've got to get back to the basics of what government is supposed to do."