In Alabama some of the biggest roadblocks to better schools and other progress are the people who moved here for the lower taxes, and especially the property taxes. Many are retirees, and people about to retire, and many vote for their lower taxes, which means passing or extending a low cost tax proposal to help fund schools very rarely passes.
However, about 2 years ago, every county passes the $50 per household property tax, to fund the volunteer fire departments. Before that, each department had to send out letters for annual dues, and only about 10% of the homeowners paid it. I paid it, because it was the right thing to do, and also if you didn’t pay, and needed an ambulance, firetrucks, or other help, you were charged by the hour for each type of equipment, and if you didn’t pay they can put a lien on your property.
Many of the people where I live now, and where I used to live (on the Alabama side, near Fort Benning), are active duty, or retired military, and they manned the volunteer fire departments, backed up the local law enforcement when needed, and when there was a car or motorcycle accident, were doing first aid, and directing traffic until the police and other rescuers arrived.
When I lived here before, near Fort Rucker (where I worked), virtually every person I dealt with had a military background, or some connection to the military post. And most of the rude people I run into are from somewhere else, and only moved here for a limited time, or moved here only because it was cheaper, and have no intention of putting down roots, or becoming part of the community.
The only place I’ve lived where chiggers were a problem was Oklahoma, way out in the countryside. Never saw them here, or anywhere else I’ve lived. I think they’re mostly in the tall grass.
