Few things are as frustrating to a rationally thinking resident of Stafford County as a member of the Board of Supervisors who ignores the will of the people and the firsthand experience of the majority of Virginia's counties and cities that are clearly benefiting from the Business and Professional License Tax.
Can we please ask that Paul Milde ["Will this new tax help?" Aug. 20] and his two Republican colleagues (Cord Sterling and Mark Dudenhefer) give long-suffering Stafford homeowners at least a short respite
I was one of the 17 attendees Mr. Milde credits with speaking in favor of BPOL at the July 2 board meeting.
As he well knows, the fact that we were outnumbered more than 5 to 1 by well-organized, sticker-wearing BPOL opponents merely reflects the massive e-mail campaign they had conducted in advance, in addition to paid ads placed in The Free Lance-Star encouraging an outpouring
The facts are simple:
The county will benefit from millions
Since virtually all the surrounding localities have already imposed a BPOL tax, the implication that existing enterprises will leave Stafford to avoid this tax is laughable.
The suggestion ("heart-wrenching pleas") that businesses will suffer is belied by the fact that in Spotsylvania, for example, establishments with annual revenues of up to $1 million pay no more than $1,000 per year in BPOL assessments--hardly an overwhelming burden.
In fact, the only assertion made by Mr. Milde with which I agree is that the November 2009 election will give Stafford residents a historic opportunity--to replace the three board members whose arrogant opposition to BPOL has proven only their ability to turn out hundreds of like-minded business owners to shout down the overwhelming sentiment of our citizens in favor of this reasonable approach to Stafford's budget woes.
Douglas J. Filler
Stafford