1941: Hamilton Township to Lower Taxes!

1977: Once Upon a Time in Financially Secure Hamilton...

Many of the persons, places, and things of the past can have an impact on the persons, places, and things, of today. This letter, which Jack Rafferty submitted to the late, great Mercer Messenger give an insight to the financial situation as it was in Hamilton 38 years ago, soon to be 39.

1978: The "Rafferty" of the "Rafferty Team"

It took a few extra minutes to combine this photo of Jack into this article on the Hamilton budget as it was unveiled back in 1978.

Jack: Were we ever this young?

1937: HAMILTON TAXES INCREASE BY 12 TO 13 POINTS

"NO MATTER HOW MUCH THINGS CHANGE, THEY STAY THE SAME." EVEN BACK THEN THE TOWNSHIP WAS FIGHTING TO KEEP THE TAX RATE SOMEWHAT STABILIZED.

1891: HAMILTON, HERE'S YOUR TAX BILL

HERE'S A LISTING OF TAXPAYERS IN 1891 HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. MANY HISTORIC FAMILY NAMES ARE IN THIS LISTING. CHECK THOSE OBSCENE TAX ASSESSMENTS!

1811: TAXES-READ IT AND WEEP!

HERE'S TAX INFORMATION ON THE VARIOUS PERSONS, PLACES, AND THINGS FROM THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP (THEN NOTTINGHAM) FOR THE YEAR 1811. I WONDER IF THE RESIDENTS WERE UP IN ARMS OVER THEIR TAX ASSESSMENTS. CHARLES ANDERSON WAS PROBABLY FROM THE SAME ANDERSON FAMILY WHOSE EXTENSIVE FARM DATED TO PRE-REVOLUTIONARY WAR YEARS. THE ANDERSON FARM WAS LOCATED IN THE AREA OF TODAY'S WOODLAWN AVENUE AND EXTENDED TO THE AREA AROUND NORWAY AVENUE.

1886: NOTTINGHAM TOWNSHIP'S TAXES

AS JUDY AND I SKIMP AND SAVE TO MEET THAT HORRIBLE NOVEMBER QUARTERLY TAX PAYMENT TO NOTTINGHAM TOWNSHIP.....UHH, EXCUSE ME..HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, WE LOOK LONGINGLY BACK TO THE POST PIONEER YEARS AND WONDER IF THE CITIZENS OF THAT ERA WERE AS UPSET ABOUT RISING TAXES AS WE ARE.

(THE ANDERSON FARM IS WELL KNOWN IN LOCAL HISTORY. ITS LINEAGE GOES BACK TO PRE REVOLUTIONARY WAR YEARS. IT WAS LOCATED ON TODAY'S GREENWOOD AVENUE, ENCOMPASSING THE AREA NOW OCCUPIED BY NORTH AND SOUTH LOGAN AVENUE, CONNECTICUT AVENUE, LYNWOOD AVENUES.)

1990: HIZZONER JACK RAFFERTY BATTLES HIGH TAXES

THIS LETTER WHICH FORMER HAMILTON MAYOR RAFFERTY SENT TO GOVERNOR FLORIO BACK IN 1990 OBVIOUSLY FELL UPON DEAF EARS. THEN, AS NOW, THE UPWARD SPIRAL OF THE SCHOOL TAX HAD MANY OF OUR SENIOR CITIZEN COMMUNITY IN A VERY TENUOUS FINANCIAL CRISIS. IT SEEMS THAT OUR SCHOOLS GET THOSE "COST OF LIVING" INCREASES, BUT WE SENIORS ON FIXED INCOME GET A MEASLY INCREASE WHICH DOESN'T KEEP UP WITH THE OUR TAX INCREASES.

1931: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

You think we have it bad here in Hamilton with our taxes? Just look what the schools did to the taxpayer's wallet back in 1931. A 16 cent increase in the school tax, and look what they did to the teachers!
(Note: Tongue firmly implanted in cheek)

1886: Nottingham Taxes

You think your taxes are high? Just read this article of the taxing situation in 1811 Nottingham Township, and you will see how well of we really are here in the Hamilton Township of 2006!