Democracy in action. People packed into a middle school gymnasium in Grayson, Kentucky, Monday night to speak out against a new tax.

The mayor and most of council support it, but almost everybody else there strongly disagreed.

It was certainly a heated meeting at East Carter Middle school.

It was a chance for the public to weigh in on a proposed payroll tax.

About 500 people showed up to speak out. But before folks took to the microphones, city council voted to amend the ordinance, dropping the rate from 1.75 percent to 1.5 percent.

Although some people thought that was no big deal, after it was lowered, there was thundering applause. But from there, there was little agreement between the speakers and the mayor and council.

Mayor George Steele says the payroll tax is necessary to the future of Grayson. But the vast majority of folks say that's nonsense. Most of them live outside the city limits, but work in Grayson. And they say it's unfair to make them pay this tax.

One person asked Mayor Steele, "Why is it that I don't have a vote? I'm asking you why I don't have a vote in how my money is spent in this town. You've made up your mind or you would be willing to let us get together and discuss this."

The mayor said, "I understand how they feel, but I still want better for this community than what we've got, and we're not going to get there unless we put some effort into it. This type of tax is nothing new. About 130 towns in kentucky alone already pay it, including Ashland, Pikeville and Paintsville and many other towns."

This fight isn't over. There will be one more reading of this ordinance next Tuesday.

Folks are expected to come out to that meeting and have their voices heard.

This tax will likely take effect January 1.

As of now, only one council member is against it.

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