To the Editor:

Regular readers of this page may remember that you published some comments by me earlier in the year (“Officials have chance to lead by example,” Feb. 14) regarding the Southampton County government, our budget and our taxes.

Basically, what you published was a portion of a presentation I made before the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 21. I urged them to exercise more fiscal responsibility, and show leadership by voluntarily taking a reduction in pay.

They have taken the pay cut. I also urged them to ask all department heads to accept a pay cut. As far as I can tell, they have not done that.

I was invited to attend a meeting recently of some concerned local citizens who are also interested in our fiscal responsibility. Together we plan to revitalize or reactivate a group known as Citizens For Responsible Government, which was very active during the 1990s under the leadership of Leland Beale.

We are having an organizational meeting Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at Southampton High School. I notice you have already published a notice of that meeting. Thank you for that.

I urge all interested taxpayers and citizens of Southampton County to join us. Together we can assist our elected and appointed county officials in doing all we can do to practice fiscal responsibility.

The general reassessment of real property is just around the corner. Don’t wait until after your taxes have been raised to show an interest in our local government. Come to our next meeting and learn how you can help.

Ash Cutchin

Courtland