DEAR EDITOR:

Like Allen Hirons, I was also in a quandary about "to pay or not to pay" school taxes when I turned 62. After all, the system was set up to relieve me of that responsibility as I got older and my income became smaller. The feds do the same thing with income taxes in that we get an additional deduction at age 65, and it seemed to me that there should be some relief after 30 plus years of taxation.

I've never been one to buy into "we are citizens of the world" silliness, but still felt somewhat guilty opting out of the school tax since the education of our children is a common interest. However, I took a good look at the tax. In my case it was more than $1,350 per year. I took further notice of the childish squabbles of the school board. I took more notice of its wasteful spending, seeming inefficiencies, top heavy bureaucracy, penchant for secrecy and finally determined not to invest any further money, especially when it's not required. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said no citizen has an obligation to pay taxes for which he is not legally bound.

Luckily for the board, many seniors aren't aware of their option at age 62. I even had to explain it to a couple friends. Perhaps if the tax wasn't so egregiously high or the board and administration weren't so egregiously arrogant and foolish, I might change my mind, but those things aren't likely to change so I think I'll hang onto my money, thank you very much.

Mike Woodliff
Smyrna