Hampton seniors protest for tax relief

HAMPTON — A small group of senior citizens picketed outside Hampton Mayor George Wallaces State of the City address Wednesday.

Earlier this year the city changed the way its offers tax relief to low-income elderly and disabled residents.

Having an exemption from paying taxes on their home is no longer an option. Celestine Monroe organized the protest.

If they were on the system last year they should have left them on the system and they can use the grandfather clause now and put them back on the system, Monroe said.

A statement released by the city says the change is needed because of a growing older population… and if some residents arent paying their share theres more of a burden on other taxpayer to pick it up.

The current options: eligible seniors can either choose to freeze their property taxes at the amount theyre paying now or have their taxes deferred until the house is sold or the property owner dies.