(Most criticism of Sch’dy Grievance Day unfounded) Mr. DeLuccia, you say the problem was "less-responsive homeowners clogged the process." There has always been and I would expect that there always will be "less-responsive homeowners during the grievance process. As taxpayers, we expect the BAR to understand that the less prepared will show up every year. The BAR needs to deal with them in an organized manner. There is no excuse for the mess that occurred this last Grievance Day other then the BAR tried to reinvent the wheel and failed miserably as did this new revaluation.
My company appraised the Foster Building for the bank that held the note just prior to Mr. Alsdorf purchasing it. At that time the building had a negitive value and I suspect the same is true today. Eminent Domain requires government to compensate the property owner fair market value. That being said, does government expect the taxpayer to pay more than what’s fair in this situation?
Ms. Madonna, there is no excuse for the way Grievance was handled this year. Your commentary does nothing more than show me that you and your committee have not learned by your mistakes.
Unfortunately the Assessor’s office was trying to reinvent the wheel. The system they have used in past years worked fine. It was simple and expedient.
Another problem was, if a tax payer was grieving more than three properties, the Board of Assessment Review that was comprised of three senior citizens with questionable credentials, would only hear arguments on three. The taxpayer was not allowed to give the three minute verbal details on any additional properties. It clearly defeats the purpose of Grievance Day, and puts another unnecessary burden on the taxpayer. The Mayor needs to wake up and manage his people better. He should have come downstairs and put the system back on track. The next election is not that far off.
Totalpackage003, you keep writing that there is an underlying connection between the Mayor and the developer but, you don't make clear what it is. You want the AG to investagate what? Investage that you don't like the mayor's position? If you have facts, bring them forward, if not, stop pointing and crying at nothing.
Posted on July 3 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Mr.Schworm, I've said the same for years. Now, how do we get it done?
On Letters to the Editor for July 3