By Diane Smith
Record-Courier staff writer
Nobody was drinking tea, but plenty of people were steaming at a local rally that addressed taxes and political involvement.
The Portage County Courthouse lawn in Ravenna was filled with people attending the Portage County TEA Party Saturday evening. Several people held signs proclaiming the theme of the rally: “Taxed Enough Already.”
Speakers included W. Roak Zeller of Mogadore, who is president of the Trumbull-Portage Young Republicans, Chris Long of the Ohio Christian Alliance, Frank LaRose, a candidate for state senate in the 27th district, and Dr. Michael Pryce, who is the author of a soon to be released book, “Anathema! America’s War on Medicine.” The speakers addressed themes of local involvement in politics, nationalized health care and reforming the sales tax.
People sat in lawn chairs, listening to speakers and wearing patriotic shirts and holding signs. Some of the signs read, “I believe in the best social program — job” and “I’ll keep my guns and money, you keep the change,” among other slogans.
Sam Williams and his wife, Jan, came from Akron to attend the rally. They wore hats with tea bags dangling from them and propped up a sign reading, “We are concerned about the course of these human events.”
“I believe we’re headed in the wrong direction,” he said.
Ralph Jones of Ravenna attended the rally with his wife, Mary, and their three children.
“None of these things they’re doing are helping us get out of this recession, and they’re not meant to,” he said. “They’re taxing our children. We’re losing jobs every day. I think we’re taxed enough as it is.”
Steve Bereceek of Nelson handed out flyers inviting Portage County residents to a public hearing Thursday on a proposed storm water utility.
“They are looking for more taxes,” he said. “No new taxes.”