By Jerry Coon
In researching the files, I wrote my first Tax Attic article for the October 3, 1996, Rockford Squire. At that moment in time, the Rockford Independent had began publishing a weekly paper and my friend, Roger Allen, Squire owner, publisher, salesman, chief cook, and bottle washer, needed a column to fill some space. He asked if I could write an article on any topic I wanted to write about. Of course, Roger knew I could talk and write about income taxes all day and all night long. He also knew that his readers didn’t necessarily want to read about taxes all day and all night long. His direction to me was to keep it interesting. By that he meant including subjects other than taxes while still including taxes and tax-related topics.
I have tried my best to honor Roger’s request and direction over these last 26 years. It’s been my privilege to provide helpful information on the somewhat boring subject of taxes but also to write about more interesting topics and people. I have also tried my best to keep politics out of the equation, but taxes and politics do go together. Washington is driven by politics, but tax policy has been, is, and will be used to keep votes and to win votes. Changing tax policy has given me an unlimited supply of Tax Attic information over all these years. I have also met Roger’s request to keep it interesting by including other topics. Squire readers know about our trips to Knoxville, Iowa’s World of Outlaw Sprint Car Nationals; my college roommates and our walleye fishing adventures in Canada and on Saginaw Bay; deer hunting; my like for Rockford Brewing Company’s craft beers, specifically Sheehan’s Irish Stout; years long battles with yard pests like moles, groundhogs and exotic weeds; updates on my involvement with the Rockford Rotary Club and also the Chamber of Commerce while being the Treasurer and serving on the Board of Directors; City of Rockford updates over my eight years on City Council with two as Mayor, and the various other adventures the Coons have experienced over these 26 years.
I want to thank Beth and Ethan for giving me the same literary grace, upon Roger’s retirement, that Roger had. I also want to thank all the Squire readers that have read this article over these 26 years and thanked me for writing it. It’s been fun. This is Jerry Coon signing off for the last time.
Jerry Coon is an Enrolled Agent for Integrity Tax Group on Northland Dr in Rockford. Contact Jerry at RKD@integritytaxgroup.com.