Eat Your Heart Out, Hector!

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, New York

09 April 2001

Not many tax collectors in the world are admired or even loved by their 'clients' - but it's more likely in the US than in other places, where tax collectors, like other local officials, are elected in towns and cities across the country. And in Crete, Illinois, in America's mid-west, lives possibly the world's most popular tax collector.

Emma Schweer, age 104, has just been elected unopposed as Crete's tax collector for the 17th time. When she was 37, her husband Arthur was elected as city tax collector and after his first term she was elected as his deputy. Arthur died mid-way through his eighth term in 1964, and Emma just carried on. She had been doing most of the work anyway, using an array of sewing clubs, coffee mornings and beauty parlour gossip sessions to build an unpaid army of wives who gently coerced their husbands into compliance with the tax laws.

Mrs Schweer doesn't need to campaign for the job nowadays. "The last time she had any opposition was maybe 12 years ago," said Norenna Schumacker, chairman of the Crete Township Democratic Committee. "Out of respect for this wonderful, admirable woman we haven't put anyone up against her for years."

Emma used to drive around town in a yellow 1976 Cadillac, but after heart surgery three years ago she now gets around on foot with the help of a Zimmer frame. She ascribes her longevity to "normal living". "I get a lot of exercise, I garden even now and I still cook two meals a day for myself." She does not smoke, but has an occasional glass of wine.

And in 2005 Emma Schweer will retire? Not a bit of it - she will run again for office, God willing.

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