THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996 TAG: 9611020020
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 24 lines
Moving to Suffolk? Beware of surprises. In your Oct. 14 MetroNews article regarding Suffolk looking for ways to pay for growth, I think they already have the answer - raise taxes.
I have been a permanent resident of Suffolk since 1961 and this year the taxes on some of my property increased 2233.3 percent over 1995 (more than 20 times). There were no improvements or changes made to the property, just a tax increase. My total real-estate tax increase was 27 percent.
What are the advantages of living in Suffolk? My water bill is just under $20 per month for a two-adult household. However, I have been without enough water pressure to take a normal shower in my upstairs bath for two weeks.
I'll manage; I have before. But ask yourself what you will be getting for your tax dollar before you move to ``Surprising Suffolk.'' You might be more surprised than you want to be.
CHARLIE JOHNSON
Suffolk, Oct. 16, 1996 by CNB