To the Editor:

It is obvious that “What happens in Nashville does not stay in Nashville.” It looks like Mayor Karl Dean’s tax addiction is contagious. Only weeks after Nashville passed the biggest property tax increase in history, Wilson County has decided to follow suite. They have proposed a minimum 22-cent property tax for the entire county.

We all appreciate their desire to increase revenue to improve our communities and reward our dedicated county employees and teachers for their stellar contributions, but, I strongly believe that this is not the time to increase property taxes on anyone.

The actual unemployment rate in our country is currently over 20 percent. With all of the new taxes that we will be paying next year due to the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and our continuing economic downturn, this will place a hardship on all property owners and renters. It was be devastating for seniors and those living on fixed incomes.

At $2.50 Wilson County already has one of the highest property taxes in the state. For example, Williamson County has a tax rate of $2 and provides equal or better services for their citizens. At a tax rate of $2.72, can our citizens expect a better school system or superior county services than those living in Williamson County currently have? I doubt it.

Unfortunately all of us have had to make difficult economic decisions to adjust our loss of income. It is extremely unfortunate that our local governments can’t realize this and make the same sacrifices that their citizens have had to make.

We can only hope that someday we will find a cure for this "government addiction" to other people's money.

William Haupt III
Mt. Juliet