“This is a fee, and I know you can twist it and make it anything,” Councilman Eddie Simpson said. “Our utility bill could be a tax if we wanted to call it that, I guess, but this is a fee, it’s not a tax. Our water bill’s not a tax, and this storm water fee is not a tax. Mr. (Van) Shaver can call it a tax all day, I know.
 
That brings a negative shadow into everything we try to do, but all I ask for the people to be patient and think back 15 years we haven’t had an increase in tax or fees almost nothing for the past 15 years, and I think that says a lot about our city and how we’re managing the taxpayers’ money.”
 

Simpson and Councilwoman Jennifer Wampler motioned and seconded, respectively, and the vote passed 6-0. The third and final reading will be at 7 p.m. June 26 at city hall. News Herald 6/12/17

A lot was written in local media about the Rain Tax at the time. Citizens, business owners, ministers and school officials turned out in opposition of the Rain Tax. Council ignored their pleas.

The Rain Tax has been in place for nearly five years now with no major storm water improvements anywhere in the city.

Why does this matter now?

We have a candidate running for county commission that actually voted to implement the Rain Tax. My opponent, Lenoir City councilman, Eddie Simpson, supported, pushed for, made the motion for and voted for the Rain Tax. At that meeting, Mr. Simpson went on at length about all the things the city needed to buy for his reason to vote for the Rain Tax. At one point, he even said that without the Rain Tax, Lenoir City might end up like Flint Michigan, meaning contaminated water system. Never mind that the Michigan issue was caused by lead pipe contamination which has nothing to do with storm water control. He also claimed, falsely, that Lenoir City hadn't had a tax increase in fifteen years. In fact, Lenoir City has had four property tax increases in that time frame.

Knowing his commitment to raising taxes, would he support, push for and vote for higher taxes or a Rain Tax or a Wheel Tax for Loudon County if he were elected? Sure he would.

• Mr. Simpson has voted for multiple property tax increases but claims he hasn't.
• Mr. Simpson voted for the Rain Tax but blamed it on the federal government.
• Mr. Simpson voted for a sales tax increase but blamed it on the county.
• Mr. Simpson voted to increase the gas tax but claimed no one would notice it.

Why won't Simpson take responsibility for his own actions? Why does he try to hide from his own votes?

Any elected official that would actually vote for any such thing as a Rain Tax should never be allowed to a seat on the county commission.

Loudon County property owners and residents just can't afford a tax and spender like Eddie Simpson.