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Highlands Today

Fire Assessment On Churches

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William H. Van Duzer

Published: August 22, 2008

I had the privilege of serving the people of Highlands County as a state employee with the Department of Children and Families for 14 years. Many times children under my jurisdiction needed the state's help. Often, we could only help them by removing them from their families and placing them in foster care.

The New Testament Mission provided an alternative solution. Sometimes it was food, a hot meal, lodging but it never involved a fee. Pastor Karl never charged a dime for the services he rendered to the citizens of Highlands County. We have been blessed in this county to have such a helpful and willing institution.

Cannot the city extend its fire services without having its hand out? If we were to lose the New Testament Mission, the city and county citizens would be the losers. Our Lord taught us: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,"

The long history of this great nation is to exempt churches from property taxes and assessments. Our founding fathers saw the wisdom in this public policy and I think we should also.

William H. Van Duzer
Sebring

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