huh?

By GARY BURTON

World Staff Writer

MARVELL - Marvell area residents are watching a new school rise from the dust, but complications from a millage hike could delay opening classes for local children.

The Marvell School District received an eight-mill increase in 2000, but due to problems in the collection of the taxes, the amount will be doubled for the upcoming year.

"It's just a one-year deal," said Sheriff Ronnie White. "After that, things will go back to normal."

White said that an error by collectors caused the tax problem, and that he was unaware of the crisis until late last year.

"This is just a terrible thing considering the economic situation in this county right now," said Patsy Carter, owner of Carter's Service Station. "Farmers are down enough as it is without this added tax increase."

Carter added that she feels a payment plan should be worked out by the county on the tax increase, and Sheriff White said he is looking into the idea.

"I'm working on looking into the situation with the county attorney to see if we can help those that this puts an undue hardship on."

Ulicious Reed, Marvell School District superintendent, said that rumors of halting construction of the new school are false, and plans are still on schedule to open the building this fall.

"I've talked to Sheriff White, and he is working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible," Reed said.

While some residents admit they dislike the idea of any new taxes, they see the double-tax as being necessary.

"An error that was made, and like all errors it has to be corrected. We all make mistakes, and I don't hold the sheriff or collector responsible for this oversight," said Marvell Mayor Clark Hall.

Other school district residents just want to pay their fair share.

Melissa Schaffhauser told The Daily World on Friday morning that she does not want to pay any more taxes than she has to, but agrees that the school district is in need of a new school building.

"I just don't know what exactly needs to be done to fix it."

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-- Anonymous, February 17, 2002