News-Record.com

At last! Guilford Tax Director Francis Kinlaw and his diligent staff, which vows to stick to “the letter of the law” and not the “spirit,” have figured out how to balance the county’s budget without raising taxes again. I venture to say that the current budget will be reduced by half in less than five years by following “the letter of the law.”

Of course, I refer to taxes owed by Eagle Physicians and Associates for the free samples disbursed to patients. Kinlaw should add to his audit agenda visits to Costco to savor free food samples or Ben and Jerry’s for a free spoonful of the ice cream, flavor of his choice, or Macy’s perfume counter for a free aromatic spritz. Oh, and how about those tasty free mints at many of Greensboro’s restaurant counters, or why not go after professors who receive free textbook samples?

So many transgressions, so little time. Surely, Kinlaw’s contribution to balancing the county’s budget will be laudable for years to come!

If, Kinlaw’s view that “we’re responsible for conducting ourselves under the law” is equally enforced, Guilford citizens should be receiving no tax bills and a modest economic incentive check by 2012.

Joe Benson
Greensboro