I want to pay my tax

As a citizen, I will be proud to pay this tax so that I can in turn be proud of what it will do for my country.

I am very much aware that I may be a minority of one in this quest for justice, but I remain undaunted in my desire to pay property tax on my home. And yes, it is a quest for justice because I want what is due to me, which is drivable roads and passable bridges, regular water and reliable electricity.

After that I want what is due to me by virtue of this tax which are green spaces scattered throughout the country, properly maintained as they should be; the grass verges of my highways and byways maintained; oh and garbage collection; the cleaning and dredging of the waterways so that my farmers lands are not flooded out and crops destroyed because it will be them that will feed me when the energy revenue declines and we cannot import our tomatoes, cauliflower, carrots, avocados from Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

So I urge all citizens to embrace this tax. Go down to the Internal Revenue Department and pay your taxes. Free paper must burn and for far too long we property owners have gotten away with paying what can only be described as a pittance because $245 a year can’t pay for one truck load of manure.

I am however mindful of those who cannot pay this tax — senior citizens who live on fixed reduced incomes, the unemployed and the underemployed and even those who have been unfairly assessed.

The right to appeal and redress of these situations must be upheld and I would rely on the myriad lawyers careening through the halls of justice to fight for the rights of these people.

My husband and myself have built a beautiful home and intend to pay to keep improving its value and our quality of life. Anything else would make me a lesser citizen, not prepared to pay to play.

SATU-ANN I RAMCHARAN Maraval