Tuesday, October 06, 2009

News Virginian: Francis Chester ... Augusta County hero

The Waynesboro News Virginian chose Francis Chester as one of its weekly "Three UP, Three DOWN" spotlights:

WOOL MAN: Francis Chester, a Churchville lawyer and sheep farmer, returned to a favorite place this week, center stage, to resume his battle over Augusta County’s reassessment. Chester arrived in court sporting patented duds, a jacket for which the material apparently was derived from the farm. The people love Chester. The county despises him. To the latter, what else can we say? Too baaad. [emphasis added]
This on top of the Staunton News Leader pounding down on the County of Augusta for wasting taxpayer money and time taking Mr. Chester to court because he dared to represent 10,500 landowners upset over outrageously overinflated real estate assessments.

It's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ... Augusta County style.

What did Augusta County's day in court do? It rallied citizens who are angry at the government pounding down on the little guy. Francis Chester is representing 10,500 citizens pro bono with volunteers from Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments (ACAUA).

You own that Government Center ... and those are your employees working there, thanks to your hard-earned taxes.

How can you help in this battle? Email and join the growing corps of citizen volunteers who are going up against City Hall or, in this case, the Augusta County Government Center.

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