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Letter to the Editor - Ann Schartz
In regards to the Oct. 3 story about The Cow Creek Band of The Umpqua Tribe of Indians placing property into their land trust. What's the big deal, other than our greedy governments whining about lost tax revenues? They need to analyze how much property is sitting as non-tax status. What the Cow Creeks are adding is a very small portion.I looked at the obvious properties held by religious organizations within the Roseburg area, it totaled over $24 million. Mercy alone has properties valued at $35,810,500 that is not on the tax rolls. These figures don't include other non-profit properties, fraternal organizations, school district holdings or government properties. Leases to non-profit/tax exempt organizations removes properties from the tax roles.
The proposed property that the Cow Creeks are converting is a minute drop in the trough. If all the numbers were known, there is probably close to a billion dollars that is not taxable.
I think before long, serious examination needs to be done to non-profit exemptions. If everyone is exempt, who's left to pay? How many tax paying jobs will the Cow Creeks be creating, bringing out-of-town money to the area and supporting the local community?
I prefer the Cow Creeks do their plans than have a "let's give away the candy store" sweetheart deal to some out-of-towner who ends up giving us the shaft (like most of the deals) that have gone south.
Ann Schartz
Roseburg
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