To the Editor:

I have read the letters Joe Vick and Richard Grizzard wrote advocating a No vote on building a new Courthouse outside of the Town of Courtland. Thanks to them and I agree with them wholeheartedly.

Now I would like to list the implications of building a new courthouse to the taxpayers and citizens of Southampton County.

1. Taxes: Tax rate on real estate would go up .04 cents to at least .89 cents per $100 assessed value.

2. Garbage Disposal Fee: Yearly $500,000 savings from new Garbage Disposal agreement would go to funding the new Courthouse, and not returned to the citizens of Southampton County as it should be.

3. Other funding: Almost $1,000,000 one time payment from Enviva.

4. Southampton County Public schools: We already cannot fund our schools. These higher taxes for the new courthouse will be devastating to our schools.

Now It is time to send a message to the Southampton County Board of Supervisors and the County Administration. You must stop irresponsible spending!

We could not stop the Board of Supervisors from giving our hard-earned tax dollars to the Cypress Cove Country Club. We can stop them from building the new Courthouse. Please send a message. Vote No!

John Burchett
Sebrell