Some say he is a hero while others are upset that he hasn't paid the same taxes they presumably paid. What is your take on the issue?
View full sizeJoseph F. "Jay" Noone stands in front of his two-family home on Main Street in Bondsville. The town of Palmer has taken over the property and is trying to evict Noone because he owes $23,000 in taxes. On Tuesday, which was supposed to be eviction day, Noone was joined by 20-plus supporters.PALMER - The town of Palmer is taking the home of Joseph F. "Jay" Noone for his refusal to pay $23,000 in property taxes, but he isn't going down without a fight.
On Tuesday as the town held its tax auction, a group of supporters gathered at Noone's Main Street home, videoing police nearby and standing to prevent him from being evicted, as he was supposed to be out by Tuesday morning.
Some of the group was recruited through a Facebook page, "Anti-House Stealing Party! Help Jay Out!"
"Am I to understand that the state has the right to do things that the individual may not, such as steal property?" Noone said. "If you have to pay a tax on property, you don't own it."
Treasurer-Collector Paul A. Nowicki said the town is cracking down on tax scofflaws in an attempt to recoup money owed and return properties to the tax rolls.
Noone, a Bondsville firefighter, said he has never paid property taxes, and calls them "extortion." He said he has issues with the May 12 judgment from Land Court in the tax lien case that favored the town, as it bears no signature, just a stamp.
Noone contends that the town of Palmer is not a government, and accused the town attorney of trying to "line his pockets." He said if he is evicted, he will probably file a lawsuit.
Read the full report by Lori Stabile by clicking here.
Since the story hit MassLive Tuesday evening, it has quickly received many comments with readers taking a variety of stances. Some people are hailing Noone as a hero for standing up to the municipality while others are chastising him for not paying property taxes like they claim to.
Here is what some of you had to say:
majorityof1 says: It does raise an interesting point - can one really "own" anything when ownership is conditional? You buy a house, you don't pay your annual property taxes, the government takes it away from you. You buy a car, you must pay annual excise taxes. Can you truly "own" something if you are forced to pay an uninvolved third party to retain your right to it, especially when this third party owns exclusive rights to legal use of force to collect what it is owed?
joey1023 says: Home ownership is one of the dumbest investments possible. You pay and pay and pay. Then when you can't pay anymore, they kick you out and steal your home.
antiglobalist says: All Jay did was read history, and follow his core values like our founders. After all, the system Jay is asking for to be followed, is the system Massachusetts Public Schools teach is the government we have.
413 guy says: i like this guy. finally someone steps up against tyrannical state and local governments who govern the people through loopholes.
keepemrunnin says: When I bought my house, I knew taxes were part of my responsibility. Did this come as a surprise to Mr. Noone? If he didn't want to pay taxes, he shouldn't have bought the house. Go live in some state without property taxes, if you find them so horrible. Yes, it stretches our finances, but schools, police, etc, all need money to operate. Where does Mr. Noone think Palmer/Bondsville should get the money to support services to it's residents?
sampleinajar says: This really makes me mad. I cannot believe this guy bought a house and then thinks he shouldnt have to pay taxes on it. If you don't want to pay taxes on something, DON'T FREAKIN BUY IT!!!!
What is your take on the issue? Do you support Noone's stance and his plight to keep his house? Chime in below and let us know what you think.