Waggener High School - RingBrothersHistory.com

The Voice of St. Matthews, April 20, 1950:Let’s talk taxes.OTHERS HAVE INCORPORATED, WHY CAN’T ST. MATTHEWS?TAX RATES ARE AT LOW POINT EVERYWHERE BUT LOUISVILLENot on the LOUISVILLE LEVEL. The “experts” don’t like to talkabout Louisville’s tax rate. It’s too high. Yet, when you ask the“experts” why Louisville’s tax rate is so high, they just shrug andmumble something about the “high cost of services.Louisville’s tax rate is the highest in its history. It is $2.97 for each$100 property valuation. And if things keep on going as they are inLouisville, the tax rate will go HIGHER than that.Louisville’s tax rate is based on a total property appraised value ofapproximately $560,000,000 That will yield Louisville this year 1950approximately $15,000,000. At least half of that will be spent on thepublic school system of the City of Louisville. The other half will bespent on the City of Louisville’s General Purpose, for all other municipalservices—including fire, police, sanitation, and such.Audubon Park has a 75-cent tax rate on approximately $3,000,000appraised property value. And 20 cents of that rate is frozen in astreet-building fund. It is a beautiful city of which its citizens rightlycon be proud.Richlawn has a 50-cent tax rate on approximately $3,000,000 appraisedproperty value, It is growing into a beautiful residential city.4 Page —AdvertisementIndian Hills has a 75-cent tax rate on approximately $2,000,000 appraisedproperty value. It compares favorably in beauty with any other resi-dential city in America.Anchorage has a 40-cent tax rate on approximately $7,000,000 appraised property value, and has reduced its tax rates twicein four years. It is nationally-famous as a residential city.Shively has a 20-cent tax rate on a property valuation estimated to be appraised at more than $200,000,000. In 1939,Shively’s appraised property valuation was approximately only $13,000,000. It is a bustling, up and coming city, with greatpossibilities like THE CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS.Druid Hills has a 30-cent tax rate on approximately $2,500,000 appraised property value. It is attractive and desirable as aresidential city.We could name more incorporated cities in Jefferson County with similar low rates on taxes. Let the “experts” name youthe disadvantages of incorporating.St. Matthews has a population estimated at 10,000 to 12,000. THE CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS has an appraised propertyvalue, estimated by the Louisville “experts” at $16,000,000. IT IS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN THAT, BUT LETTHEM TELL YOU THE TRUTH ABOUT THAT.It will not require a high tax rate to maintain, develop and beautify St. Matthews. In fact, the law will not permit us as thesixth class CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS to charge a tax rate higher then 75 cents.AND WE WILL SPEND EVERY PENNY OF THAT TAX MONEY ON OURSELVES, ON OUR COMMUNITY.St. Matthews is a strong spiritual community with many churches. We have over ten churches in our area. With the helpand support of these churches and our churchgoers, we can keep our spiritual strength and grow strong. It is our greatestprotection against vice.We want the good things for THE CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS. You do, too. BUT WE WANT THOSE THINGS PAIDFOR OUT OF OUR OWN MONEY. WE DON’T WANT OUR TAX MONEY SPREAD ALL AROUND LOUISVILLE.We want to spend our tax money AT HOME to develop, beautify and maintain THE CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS has adesirable and attractive place to live and bring up our children. There is no reason that THE CITY OF ST. MATTHEWScannot be as beautiful and as desirable a residential city as Oak Park, Illinois, the renowned example of better living.Court action was filed Tuesday, April 18, by Raymond C. Stephenson, Louisville attorney and member of the LouisvilleBoard of Education, further complicating the St. Matthews situation in attempts to block THE CITY OF ST. MATTHEWS.Signers of the petition of suit are: Clarence W. Hardin, 3816 Hycliffe; Frank H. Stallings, 157 Wiltshire; Charles Booth,204 Colonial Drive; Mrs. Alice Wick, 4059 Richland; Don Chitwood, 316 Breckenridge Lane; Hugh Doyle, 400 OreadRoad, and A. B. Root, 3611 Hycliffe. More efforts to try to divide and conquer us. Beware of petitions to join in this action.