A fundraising effort for a direct mail campaign against the Halifax County Schools proposed supplemental school tax on the May 8 ballot is under way.
Rom Parker, of Enfield, who led a similar effort in 1986 when the proposal was on the ballot, said he already has pledges from people in Scotland Neck and Enfield.
The 1986 successful campaign against the proposal cost $10,000, Parker, who has renewed Citizens Against Higher County Taxes, said. This time $50,000 is needed to buy advertising and do a direct mail campaign to reach some 21,000 voters in Halifax County.
(For more information or to donate contact Parker at 252-955-5502. Checks only may be mailed to Citizens Against Higher County Taxes at 105 Whitfield Street, Enfield, NC 27823)
Tonight, Parker was in Littleton at the fire department, addressing a large turnout about the proposal and seeking pledges of $250 from them. In material passed out, it is noted that a $250 donation from 50 people in four districts — Roanoke Rapids and Weldon; Scotland Neck and Hobgood; Enfield and Hollister and Littleton and Lake Gaston — would raise the money needed for the campaign.
While Roanoke Rapids and Weldon residents will not vote in the primary because they already pay a supplemental tax for their respective districts, Parker explained before and during the meeting why it is important for them to help.
“They matter,” he said. “Roanoke Rapids matters for several reasons. A lot own property in the Halifax school district. They pay taxes but can’t vote.”
Parker addresses the audience.
If passed, Parker said, the tax would affect businesses in Roanoke Rapids. “People will have less money to spend on shopping and eating out. It’s really an economic issue.”
In the 1986 referendum, the measure was defeated by a 65 percent to 35 percent margin, Parker said. “We won so big then they didn’t have the nerve to try it again until 26 years later.”
During the meeting, Connie Turner, a retired schoolteacher who lives at Lake Gaston, said while only a small portion of the lake is in Halifax County, “It pays approximately 20 percent of the entire Halifax County tax bill. Our property has been over valued and been adjusted for a steady decline in the real estate market.”
Turner said she believes if the referendum passes, the school system will slowly try to up the amount to the maximum 50 cents per $100 valuation.
The reason for doing this through mainly direct mail is that newspapers don’t have the penetration they once did, Turner explained. “If we don’t defeat it you will pay high taxes for the rest of your life. We can and will defeat this special tax. We need to send a strong message the voters are fed up with unfair taxation.”
Software and equipment to do the direct mailing has been bought, Parker said. “Direct mail is the only way to reach people. There are 21,000 registered voters. I just can’t lick 21,000 stamps.”
