While there wasn’t a lot on the ticket at the Leesburg Town Hall meeting Monday, June 1, there was one discussion item of historical significance to the people of the area.

Judd Alward, a small business owner, proposed to host a tea party at the Leesburg Park July 4 in protest of high taxes.

“When you have Congress vote on a bill without having read it, it is taxation without representation,” said Alward.

“I don’t have a problem with this,” said Mayor Edward Mackey. “I think this is a grassroots effort.”

Alward, who is affiliated with the American Family Association, says that he would like to have music and a few public speakers to come and address the crowd.

“We would also be dumping one to three pounds of tea into Weiss Lake,” said Alward.

“I’m a veteran,” said Alward. “So I also plan to have prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the playing of the National Anthem. I would also like to honor our veterans.”

Alward said he plans to advertise through flyers announcing the event.

Gaye Nichols, who runs the new Leesburg Gun and Pro Tackle shop with her husband, veterinarian Roger Nichols, said, “Obama will tax health insurance, sugar and sodas because they say we’re too fat. We’re fed up with high taxes.”

“I make a motion to approve the tea party,” said Dianne Tillery, Council Place 5, thus the Leesburg tea party of 2009 is given life.