Farmers Lead Campaign Against Metro Government
This video is no longer available.
BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. — The group leading the charge against metro government are farmers. They believe switching government systems could force them out of business, and that has them investing thousands of dollars to defeat this measure. “If it goes through it will raise taxes and we won’t have rights anymore,” Mary Lonon, whose family owns a local farm, said. According to campaign leaders for Haywood Against Metro, several local farmers fear the same thing. That’s why they donated more than $10,000 to the campaign to stop city and county government from merging. “Farmers contribute more than $40 million into government in Haywood County economy,” Mary Beth Smith of Haywood Against Metro said. Haywood County officials didn’t have specific data on how much the farming industry contributes to their economy, but agreed it’s a substantial amount. “Metro government is not good for Haywood County,” Smith said. “We are an agricultural community.” Farmers said a hike in taxes could mean downsizing or even losing their farms. County attorney Michael Banks said neither those for or against metro government have hired anyone to analyze it’s effect on taxes, but he said county residents should see an $0.18 decrease. “Our county trustee showed data that said taxes will go up,” Smith said. Banks said that’s just not true and those against metro government are not open to change. With more than 1,400 people who showed up for early voting, farmers said they’re just hoping voters are siding with them so they can protect their farms.
