Macy’s Abandons Prop. 13 Appeal

In response to Robert A. Jones’ column (“Rally ‘Round the Palm,” Part A, June 5):

It is hard for me to believe Jones’ column bashing Proposition 13. He obviously was not a taxpayer prior to the passing of Proposition 13! I was and particularly remember the way it was before.

We bought this place in 1948 because it was (and still is) a place where we wanted to live forever. Taxes increased every year until we began to worry that we would be unable to pay them. We own a six-acre orange grove now surrounded by new homes in the $450,000 price range.

Real estate agents tell us our place is now worth in excess of $600,000. I just calculated taxes on this place with that value; it comes to over $6,100. I am retired, on Social Security plus a small pension. I couldn’t afford that much tax and would have to sell and move to some place that could never match this place, losing one-fourth to capital gains taxes to boot.

The local county and state politicians have been struggling to make a budget that we could afford, no question about it. But can’t you see their eyes light up at the prospect of having their golden goose restored by killing Proposition 13? Mr. Jones, I can afford a 1% or 2% raise in my state income tax. How about you?

BILL TEMPLE, Fallbrook