Rockingham County residents oppose 1-cent property tax increase proposal

Concerned with the prospect of county jobs and services being cut, Rockingham County residents spoke out at a public hearing Monday evening, largely in opposition of a proposed 1-cent property tax increase.

The increase is “just a temporary fix” to a recession that’s likely to continue, Eden resident Keith Mabe told the board.

“You’re bleeding from both arteries in the neck,” Mabe said. “We’re not going to get any better over the next three years.”

County Manager Tom Robinson has recommended the tax increase to fill the gap in his proposed $78.9 million 2009-10 budget. Last week, he told commissioners that if the hike wasn’t approved, the county would have to look at eliminating 15 jobs, most of which are currently filled. The cuts would affect services the county offers, Robinson said.

“There’s not a soul in this room that’s not going to forgo services before this is over,” Eden attorney Thomas Harrington told the board, adding that “everybody is suffering right now” but raising taxes isn’t the answer.

In addition to the tax increase, Robinson’s budget includes cuts to Rockingham County Schools. The school system asked for $17.3 million, the same it received this year. Robinson is recommending schools receive $16.9 million. Commissioners heard from several local teachers and principals who asked the board to keep their funding at the current level.

Duane Hensley, of Reidsville, principal of Bethany Elementary School, urged the board not to cut school funding. He said he had recently hired teachers from Guilford County who were amazed at the level of technology displayed in his school’s classrooms.

“Rockingham County can now bring almost any experience in the world into our classrooms on any given day, due to our county’s continuous support,” Hensley said. He said that many parents who work in Greensboro move to Rockingham County because of the school system’s reputation.

But Stoneville resident Janette Good told the board that the schools need to focus on individualism, teaching students how to make do with what they have.

“You don’t need a room full of technology to teach somebody what two and two is,” she said.

Residents also spoke out on other big projects, including the equestrian center and the animal shelter.

Barbara Moore, of Reids-ville, told commissioners the horse park was a “great opportunity for Rockingham County” and would bring jobs and revenue to the county. Visitors to the horse park would eat at local restaurants and shop at local businesses.

“To those who say we can’t afford to do this, I say we can’t afford not to,” Moore said.

G.A. Tredway, of Eden, spoke in opposition to the “pony palace.” He said the center is not going to raise the money some think it will. He said he has gone to similar centers and instead of boosting the local economy, he spent most of his time at his campsite.

Tredway also told the board he was against any tax increase.

“You need to be like Jesse Helms and say ‘no,’” he said.

The commissioners are likely to vote on the budget at 9 a.m. today at the Rockingham County Govern-mental Center.

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