John Taft Investigative Reporter Ed/Op

Grants Pass, Oregon (10-28-02) – The last paragraph in this article should be in all voters’ pamphlets in Oregon and other states anytime a property tax is placed on the ballot. The public has a right to full disclosure to understand the threat the property tax poses to all family homes.

Public officials are not supplying this information to the voters in their voters’ guide. Public employees, businesses, and those with a self-serving agenda use family homes as a means to finance public projects. After the November 5^th vote, the Oregon Observer and StrobeZone will expose those who promoted any property tax on a family home. Local businesses funding the Park Taxing District, organizations promoting property taxes, and both public officials and private citizens will be named. The 13^th Amendment to the constitution states, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, shall exist within the United States or anyplace subject to their jurisdiction." A property tax on a family home can be considered involuntary servitude for those who are coerced into paying when they do not wish to participate. Thus the very act of voting on a property tax would appear to be improper.

The Josephine County Tax Stoppers will ask the county commissioners to place the following question on the ballot. Shall the voter’s pamphlet and ballot include a full disclosure statement for all proposed property taxes? If the voters approve this measure, then the following statement will be included.

Warning – If you vote in favor of this property tax, and it’s approved, the new tax will be added to your existing property tax bill. If you fail to pay your annual tax bill, a tax lien will be placed on your family home. Your family home will be subjected to annual interest penalties for any unpaid taxes. If you do not pay the property tax in three years, the county will initiate foreclosure proceedings on your family home. You will then have two years to redeem your family home by paying back taxes, interest, and other penalties. If this is not done, the deed to your home will be transferred to the county. All taxes are now canceled, and your ownership rights are terminated. You must vacate your former family home. If you do not, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office or Grants Pass City Police may use physical force to remove you from the premises. You may be injured, subject to legal charges, and jailed. *

*Under certain conditions 62-year-old seniors and others may defer their home taxes to a future point in time, but unpaid property taxes, including six percent annual interest, still have to be paid before the lien against your home is removed.