Read the Letter

Hanger a Democrat Playing Republican

Wednesday's edition of The News Leader published an article regarding the primary challenge by Scott Sayre to incumbent state Sen. Emmett Hanger. Among other things, the article suggested that this challenge would tear apart the local Republican party opening the door for a Democrat to take the seat. Mr. Hanger also suggested that his vote for a huge tax increase in 2004 would help prevent an increase in property taxes. Have you seen your new property tax assessment? How did this work out for you? Are your property taxes going down? I don't think so. (Ironically, within weeks of the vote for the tax increase, ostensibly needed because of the coming terrible budget deficit, the state announced a huge budget surplus totally unrelated to the tax increase which hadn't yet taken effect.)

Members of my family and friends worked very hard to unseat Frank Nolen and elect Emmett Hanger in 1995. The centerpiece of this effort was Mr. Nolen's refusal to go along with then-Gov. Allen's tax cut.

Now we have Mr. Hanger betraying the people who supported him by crossing over and voting for the huge tax increase in 2004 virtually weeks after he had been re-elected using ads assuring us that he would not vote to raise taxes.

We don't need Republicans who vote like Democrats. Hanger pulled the same bait-and-switch in 1999. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I will be supporting and voting for Scott Sayre in the June Republican state senatorial primary. I urge others to do the same.

Staunton
STEVAN T. HANNA M.D.

(http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007704220324)