Chowan Commissioner Candidate Delinquent on Property Taxes
Candidate Delinquent on Property Taxes
By Ritchie E. Starnes
Chowan Herald
March 10, 2010
A candidate for the Chowan County Board of commissioners is delinquent on his property taxes by $5108.75, according to tax records.
Ellis Lawrence, a recently filed Democrat candidate for District 3, acknowledged his property tax delinquency on some 20 parcels Monday. He reconciled his due taxes late in the day.
“I don’t see this as a problem,” Lawrence said. “Compare the taxes that I pay with what the average person pays, I bet I pay as much as anybody in Edenton.” Lawrence said that he had reached an agreement with the tax department to pay $1400 per month to catch up. But, he said after the revelation that he plans to pay off the delinquent balance by Friday.
One of the issues Lawrence cited as a reason for seeking county office was the county’s wayward spending and budget issues. He did not, however, blame the economy on his tax delinquency. Instead, Lawrence questioned what he perceives as soaring property taxes in relation to shrinking property values. “Five years ago, I could get a lot more for my property than I can today,” Lawrence said. “Why would taxes increase and property values decrease?”
Lawrence also questioned the county’s diminishing services, compared to a swelling tax rate. “Instead of more services, I’m getting less,” Lawrence said. “I don’t understand what is going on.”
By Ritchie E. Starnes
Chowan Herald
March 10, 2010
A candidate for the Chowan County Board of commissioners is delinquent on his property taxes by $5108.75, according to tax records.
Ellis Lawrence, a recently filed Democrat candidate for District 3, acknowledged his property tax delinquency on some 20 parcels Monday. He reconciled his due taxes late in the day.
“I don’t see this as a problem,” Lawrence said. “Compare the taxes that I pay with what the average person pays, I bet I pay as much as anybody in Edenton.” Lawrence said that he had reached an agreement with the tax department to pay $1400 per month to catch up. But, he said after the revelation that he plans to pay off the delinquent balance by Friday.
One of the issues Lawrence cited as a reason for seeking county office was the county’s wayward spending and budget issues. He did not, however, blame the economy on his tax delinquency. Instead, Lawrence questioned what he perceives as soaring property taxes in relation to shrinking property values. “Five years ago, I could get a lot more for my property than I can today,” Lawrence said. “Why would taxes increase and property values decrease?”
Lawrence also questioned the county’s diminishing services, compared to a swelling tax rate. “Instead of more services, I’m getting less,” Lawrence said. “I don’t understand what is going on.”
