An anonymous comment was posted to my announcement letter on June 29, 2008 on Wakulla.com. Pursuant to Wakulla.com’s policy on anonymous comments to news articles, the comment was removed.

Because these comments will more than likely appear in some other forum or media outlet, I will address the false attacks head-on. I have documented proof that the accusations are false and solely intended to mislead the public about me and my accomplishments while I served Wakulla County as Property Appraiser. The goal of these accusers is to direct attention away from the failings and incompetence of the current Property Appraiser, Mr. Donnie Sparkman.

Anonymous Commenter:
“Comment: Comcast has you on tape from the last election admitting that you did not create the Wakulla property appraiser website. In fact you only renamed it.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
Please reread my announcement letter. It stated that I updated the phone system and the website-I did not say I “created” it.

I did, however, improve it significantly by making sure it was user friendly and that the content was updated with the most current information which does not occur under Mr. Sparkman’s administration.

Anonymous Commenter:
“The office always had a mapper until you started shipping it to Miami to be done. Maybe that's how you decided it was expensive and to actually hire someone. HMM, privatization is expensive....surprised a "Jebite" realized this fact.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
You are totally wrong again. From a letter dated February 1, 2005 from Mr. Ronald W. Kilgore to Jim Zingale Executive Director of the Department of Revenue, third paragraph:

“…we are currently working with Panda Consulting with the development of a data layer to monitor our field progress with our GIS software.”

So-there you have it-The so called “Miami Mapper” was product of the Ronnie Kilgore Administration.

Anonymous Commenter:
“Do we actually believe that you believe in "Heritage"?”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
I am proud of my heritage like so many of the citizens of Wakulla County. My family is in possession of farmland in Gadsden County that was granted to my ancestor, Joseph Sylvester, on March 10, 1843 during President John Tyler’s administration. My parents are possession of these original land grants. I also am proud of the fact that my cousins still own the property that has been my paternal grandmother’s family homestead in Mount Pleasant, Florida since 1828. I share this heritage with several Wakulla County families.

That being said-I have also seen the heartbreak of my mother and her siblings as they sold their family farm in South Georgia earlier this decade.

Anonymous Commenter:
“You didn't touch big business on the 2005 tax roll that you called equitable. In fact, Walmart's land value assessment for 2005 was 595,000 for 24.6 acres of commercial land.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
That’s correct-I did not touch big business during the 2005 tax roll.

The 2005 tax roll was put together by the Chief Deputy, Colleen Skipper and the Tax Roll Supervisor, James Burke. In the same letter mentioned above, “Our plan is to be 30% complete with the analysis and values by the next progress reporting date, March 1, 2005 and 70% complete by the following reporting date, April 15, 2005.”

My first day in office was May 16, 2005 and yet, you mention absolutely nothing about the 2006 Tax Roll for which I was responsible.

In 2006, the Percent Increase in the Taxable Value due to other than new construction was only 16.41%. Compare that to the 43.08% increase in taxable value in the 2005 tax roll that you are complaining about. No wonder you only want to look at the 2005 roll-the roll I was not responsible for.

Anonymous Commenter:
“Walmart purchased the land for $1.2 million. Assessed at half of the purchase price, while you slammed the "Heritage" at the coast.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
Once again, 2005 tax year was under Mr.Kilgore’s administration and staff. Let’s look at the letter again and I’ll quote from the fifth paragraph.

“As previously discussed Wakulla County is experiencing tremendous growth with rapidly transitioning markets. Some of the coastal areas revalued last year and assessed accordingly have sales indicating a doubling of assessment again for the 2005 roll.”

Anonymous commenter:
“Tripling and quadrupling values on family heritage. People look at the 2005 tax roll for the whole story. So, maybe we should ask you "where's the beef?".... I mean the tax dollars.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
You have no clue how this works do you? The Taxing Authorities determine the taxes.

Anonymous commenter:
“The tanking real estate market may also have something to do with the roll not increasing.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
When ranking the north Florida coastal counties of Escambia, Walton, Santa Rosa, Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Levy and Taylor with regard to the 2007 tax increases (excluding new construction), Mr. Sparkman submitted the second highest tax increase-second only to Taylor County.

Check the DOR 2007 Tax Data Book available on line. Look for the Tax Base Related Data Part 2 table and check the percent increase due to other than new construction. That’s the real tax increase. This number does not include the new growth aka new construction.

Furthermore, Florida Trend magazine in March of this year stated that Wakulla’s growth is still 5% above the state average.

Anonymous commenter:
“Did you have your head in the sand at Summer Camp? Remember? That's why they let hundreds of people go. That's right laid off.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
I was laid off on December 31. 2007 from St. Joe Company/SummerCamp along with those hundreds. So what’s your point?

Anonymous commenter:
“Also, as the former property appraiser, you should know that anything that was corrected had to be approved by the Department of Revenue. The property appraiser cannot "fix" an approved tax roll. It must be deemed incorrect by the DOR, and then corrected as the DOR directs. Just because you had a roll approved doesn't mean there weren't errors. In fact, all the DOR can do is correct errors. So, the DOR corrected errors from 2005 and any other year that has an error...big deal.”

Anne Ahrendt responds:
Wrong again. According to Florida Administrative Code Chapter 12D-13.009 (3)”Refunds of less than $400 shall be made directly by the tax collector, from undistributed funds,without approval from the department or the various taxing authorities.” Mr. Sparkman has totally abused this rule.

During the time period from 11/13/06 through 5/5/08, Mr. Sparkman has issued close to 1,000 certificates of correction. Neither Mr. Kilgore nor myself issued anywhere near this number.

This should be a big deal to all Wakulla taxpayers-is Mr. Sparkman making a lot of mistakes or is he buying votes by reducing assessments for his cronies and special interests? Either way Donnie Sparkman is too expensive to retain in the Property Appraiser’s office.

Anonymous commenter:
I could go on more about alot of issues in this announcement alone, but I'd like to see what other mud slinging will happen. This is just getting started. I feel the temperature rising.

Anne Ahrendt responds:
I am sure you will have your hands full.

In closing, it’s time that Wakulla County taxpayers know the truth! I will respond to these baseless attacks with the truth every time. Keep your eyes on my website and the forums. I am sure there will be more to come.

Wakulla County finally has a candidate that knows the real story about the Property Appraiser’s office and how it should function for the benefit of all. I am willing to fight for all taxpayers and not just for a select few. Elect Anne Ahrendt for your Wakulla County Property Appraiser.

Keep it up Annie! I'm behind you and proud of the job you did in the office before. I am looking forward to having one of your campaign signs in my front yard once again and hope you get elected.

I didn't see the negative letter, but you have done a fine job with your rebuttal.

Anne, as someone who is vying for a elected position, it might behoove you not to be so combative...or at least appear to be. I think you did a fine job, but you have to learn to be a politican, unfortunately.

Mah8689,
I am not deliberately trying to be combative and I know sometimes my writing style as well as my voice comes across that way. The truth is that I am simply very passionate about what I believe in-as a candidate, a taxpayer and a citizen of Wakulla County.

There was and continues to be a move in our community to paint me as a “mean” individual. For those who know me personally, they know that that is so far from the truth-I have opened my heart and my home for many over the years-no matter their station in life. I know no stranger.

However I do stand very firm on my principles. If you ask me to steal for you-I will not. If you ask me to lie for you-I will not. And if that’s what being a politician is, then maybe I am not a politician-maybe I am simply an advocate-a voice of truth for all of Wakulla County taxpayers.


The painful actuality is that sometimes in government, as there is in love and life, there is just no way to sugar coat the truth. As property appraiser, I spoke the truth-I was honest and open to the citizens of Wakulla County about what was happening in the property appraiser’s office. And should the citizens of Wakulla County choose to return me to office in November, they will know that I will continue to speak truthfully and honestly-always.

I would invite you to contact me at my website www.anneahrendt.com at any time to speak with me about my campaign.

Thanks again for your comments.

Go Anne Go!! You are awesome and we are proud of you!!