For the record, I am posting the letter to the Commercial Appeal. Since the letter writer is in error, I have omitted his name. Corrections are in italics:
Let Lakeland pay for its services
It seems Lakeland has a new fire station that will be equipped and manned by the Shelby County Fire Department (March 12 article).
The City of Lakeland has no business (Yes we have business taxes) or property taxes. Its schools (? What is he talking about-Lakeland residents pay school/county property taxes, the same as ALL residents!), ambulance service (the City of Lakeland pays the SAME PERCENTAGE as County residents and other suburban cities. It is based on the percentage of calls in the City) and fire (City residents pay fire fees, the same as County residents, PLUS built a Fire Station! The Shelby County Fire Department is completely fee based) and police protection are furnished by Shelby County. Why should I, a citizen of Memphis, pay county taxes to provide services in Lakeland? (An absolutely untrue statement. We could ask about the County paying completely for the jail, the MED etc. when very few Lakeland residents use these facilities! Also our sales taxes support Memphis and only Memphis!)
It's time for Lakeland to step up and pay for the services it demands from the taxpayers of Shelby County. (We already more than do!) This is especially true considering the county's current financial plight.
(End of Letter)
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