From FoxNY:

BEAVER, Pa. (AP) – A widow was given ample notice before her $280,000 house was sold at a tax auction three years ago over $6.30 in unpaid interest, a Pennsylvania judge has ruled.

The decision last week turned down Eileen Battisti’s request to reverse the September 2011 sale of her home outside Aliquippa in western Pennsylvania.

“I paid everything, and didn’t know about the $6.30,” Battisti said. “For the house to be sold just because of $6.30 is crazy.”

Battisti, who still lives in the house, said Monday that she plans to appeal to Commonwealth Court. That court earlier ordered an evidentiary hearing, which led to last week’s ruling.

Beaver County Common Pleas Judge Gus Kwidis wrote that the county tax claim bureau complied with notification requirements in state law before the auction. She had previously owed other taxes, but at the time of the sale she owed just $235, including other interest and fees.

That said, Judge Kwidis and every government official responsible for passing this incredible abortion up the food chain solely for the sake of “bureaucracy satisfied” needs to have their own homes taken from them for a $6.30 mistake.  For any reason.

This was a heartless and inhumane act justified simply because of rules embraced by a faceless bureaucracy.  No exceptions, black and white.

At any point in the chain, just ONE human being could have pulled out a single ten-dollar bill and made it all go away.  But no, the agency and the county instead spent thousands and thousands of dollars — taxpayer dollars — to continue the process.

For one reason and one reason only: to make a point.

A point of fear.  Because they could.  A point of power.

Let’s review history, shall we?  Because when bad things happen to other people, it simply doesn’t concern me, does it?

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out–
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out–
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out–
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.

And there, ladies and gentlemen, is the unequaled concern, sensitivity and awareness of your various levels of government, ca 2014.

BZ