Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The other day I brought my estimated state taxes to the treasurer’s office, as we have done since we first moved to Mathews. The lady in the office handed it back with the statement: “We don’t take these anymore. You’ll have to mail it.”

The county’s lament that they need more money would be more palatable if it were matched by an effort to provide the same level of service that they provided in the past. Instead, they propose to provide less service to less people (as our population declines) with no reduction in staff and at increased cost.

Several years ago, on first moving to Mathews, we were pleasantly surprised to find county workers who not only would help, but seemed motivated to do so. We are sorry to see that change.

John Sweeney

Cobbs Creek, Va. ...