Tax Relief Deadline Set

by Scotty Wampler
Staff Reporter
        Taxpayers who intend to apply for county real estate tax relief must do so by May 1 to get credit on their 2006 real estate taxes.
       Qualifying applicants must have been at least 65 years old or permanently disabled as of December 31, 2005. Also, the combined household income for any
applicant cannot exceed $20,000 per year, with the first $5,000 of a relative’s income being exempt.
        A household held by a husband or wife may qualify for tax relief if the net combined financial worth, including equitable interest (excluding the value of the dwelling and the land not exceeding one acre) does not exceed $50,000.
        Applicants must file with the commissioner of the revenue’s office before 5 p.m. on May 1 to be eligible.
         The tax exemption will not exceed $125 for any one year. If the tax liability is less than $125, the amount exempt would be the amount of calculated tax.
         Taxpayers are required to file yearly to qualify for the relief. Applications must be filed with the commissioner of revenue’s office, located on the first floor, room 120 of the Buchanan County Courthouse in Grundy.
         Questions regarding an application may be directed to the commissioner’s office at (276) 935-6547.

Branham Will Continue Work in Progress

        As Carroll Branham takes over the North Grundy post on the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, he said he does so planning to continue the work which was already underway in that district by former supervisor, the late Joe Keene.
         Keene died as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident last month. His death while in office necessitated the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors’ action last week to name a successor to the post on an interim basis until such time as a special election can be held in November. Branham was picked for the post following a public hearing last week (see related story, this issue).
         Branham is a retired Buchanan County educator, having taught in the Buchanan County Public School System for the past 43 years. He retired last year as principal at Grundy High School, a post he has held for 15 years. Prior to his service as a principal, Branham had been a classroom teacher, teaching English and government and had coached both basketball and baseball.
         He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pikeville College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Kentucky. He has also done some study through the University of Virginia to earn his administrators qualifications.
         "The biggest reason I sought this post is that I want to help the county," Branham said. "I want to continue to do the projects Joe had underway and to go ahead and try to finish the things he had planned."
         Branham, who is also the current vice chairman of the Buchanan County Public Service Authority board, said one issue which remains as a top priority for him as a supervisor is seeing to it that water service is made available to residents county-wide.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.

Mountaineer Special Issue Is Planned for Mid-April

         Work is well underway on the Mountaineer’s annual progress edition, Buchanan Neighbors.
          A deadline of March 17 has been set for news and advertising for the special edition which has tentatively been set for publication in mid-April.
         Last year’s edition didn’t arrive on newsstands until June 2 due to the Mountaineer’s move from Main Street to the Grundy Plaza. However, this year, Publisher Lodge Compton said plans are to return the issue to its early spring publication timeframe.
           Businesses who would like to become a part of the special issue, who have not yet been contacted by the Mountaineer, are encouraged to call now to reserve space in the special issue which provides a comprehensive look at the community and what it has to offer.
           In the past, the edition has been enthusiastically received by the community and it is used as a mailer by the Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce to respond to inquiries about the community. It has also been recognized by the Virginia Press Association in the past for overall excellence.
          For information about the issue and how to become a part of it, interested persons may call the Mountaineer at 276-935-2123.