To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the recent article by The Tidewater News (“Big cuts for Southampton?” April 22).

The board has mentioned that it would take a large increase in taxes or large cuts to balance the budget. Raising taxes should not be an option.

The board and county administrator are now feeling the consequences of past mismanagement. The taxpayers should not be responsible to bear the burden of their poor management.

The Sheriff’s Department should not be cut as they have proposed; there are many areas in county administration and elsewhere that can be cut.

Write and email your board representative. We cannot stand by and watch as our county is pushed further into debt. We must let the administration and Board of Supervisors know our position.

Winston Johnson
Courtland