Idaho County Treasurer Denies Strange Request For Tax Notices
Here is a clever way of getting an important point across. This is an article that appeared recently in registerguard:
GRANGEVILLE, Idaho — An Idaho treasurer resisted a doctor’s push to include colonoscopy reminders in annual tax notices, fearing some taxpayers would find the notes “ironic.”
Idaho County Treasurer Sharon Cox denied the request from Dr. Andrew Jones in a letter Tuesday.
Cox says she does not find colon cancer humorous, but given many taxpayer opinions of taxes, “recommending a colonoscopy in the same envelope as the tax notice may be considered ironic.”
Jones asked the county last week for help in reminding residents about the importance of the screenings.
Jones says Idaho County has one of the lowest colon screening rates in the state and one of the highest rates of colon cancer.
The story appears to be true. I myself have seen it popping up more than one time. What I took away from this is the power of one person to make a difference. What appears on the surface to be a story about stereotypes associated with taxes turns out to be a story with a lot of hidden meanings. First, what strikes me is the power of communications today. All it took was for one clever doctor to pull what is obviously a publicity stunt to draw attention to a deadly disease, which if detected early can save lives.
Secondly, as a regular participant in colon cancer screening I can tell you it involves nothing to do with probing into sensitive areas. The test is totally externally done in the privacy of your own home. You can even mail in your sample and get the results. I guess in a way, it’s similar in many respects to taxes. It’s really not as bad as it is made out to be.
