Dear Editor,

My name is Michelle Givan, and I live in Chelsea. I am a housewife and mother of 12-year-old twin boys.

I’m not a school board official like Mr. Fuller, and I am not a political activist like Mr. Munoz. I consider myself to be your ordinary Alabama girl, and I’m proud of it.

After reading Mr. Munoz’s statements in last week’s online article, I realized that he and I have a few things in common.

It is apparent that he cares about the future of Shelby County.

He and I love our country and are thankful for the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

However, based on the ideas he expressed in the article, he and I have totally different perspectives on the Feb. 8 tax referendum. I plan to vote “yes,” and I want to encourage others to do the same.

Mr. Munoz believes that my “yes” vote will increase his property tax rates. I respectfully disagree.

Most property owners understand that the amount we pay in taxes is, in essence, based on a percentage of our property value.

My “yes” vote will not give Shelby County the authority to increase my tax rate. My “yes” vote will do just the opposite.

By voting “yes,” I will lock in the same tax rate that I have always been paying for the next 30 years.

I am, however, very grateful to Mr. Munoz for the views he expressed in last week’s article. Based on what he said, I decided to call the tax assessor’s office in Columbiana to find out just how much of my annual property tax bill goes to support the schools in Chelsea.

I was shocked to learn that based on my property value, my husband and I pay a total of about $60 each month in property taxes for my sons to be educated in Chelsea schools.

We pay $60 a month for reading, math, science, history, band, art, building maintenance, and the list goes on. I encourage each of you to do the same. Call and find out what you pay for kids in your school district to be educated.

If you feel the same way I do, take a neighbor to the polls with you.

Michelle Givan

Chelsea