Seniors hammered on property taxes

My name is Jeannette DeGoede and have had the privilege of living in Skagit County for 64 years. In 1959 I married Anthony DeGoede who was a bulb grower. The farm was called Tulip Town. Our lives consisted of hard work and wonderful opportunities for our children,

Anthony passed away five years ago. I sold the farm, and now, living on the channel in La Conner, most of my neighbors are seniors. The Senior Center is a part of my life that I truly enjoy.

In conversations with my senior friends, most of us are 80 and older. We all have our homes paid for.

The property taxes have been raised so that it makes it very difficult to try and balance our prescription bills plus increased food prices. Many are struggling to stay in their homes with all the rising costs.

I’m referring to us middle class seniors.

Many seniors would not qualify for the exemptions that the Skagit County has allotted for them, because we, that middle class that has paid our expenses for our lifetime, do not fit these parameters of your program.

We have thought of this idea.

What if when we turn 80, or at the time of retirement, the county could freeze our property taxes. We then could count on the amount we are paying at this time. That would be a solution for us, the middle class that have been accountable a lifetime to contribute as best we can in our circumstances.

At 80, we would love the privilege to stay in our homes, for the remainder of our lives. Thank you for your attention to the senior needs in our Skagit County.

Jeannette DeGoede

Greater La Conner