Dear Editor, Wakulla.com:

I thank Ms. Regina Harrell Compton for her letter to the editor in the October 19 issue of the Wakulla News.  This allows me the opportunity to highlight why I am running to be kept Wakulla County Property Appraiser -- fair and equitable appraisals and an open door, in an integrity and honesty-based office.  However, her support of my opponent stems from a factor that has not been shared with everyone.

In August of this year, Mr. and Mrs. Compton came to my office seeking to have the appraised value on their new home reduced so they would pay less in property taxes.  This had been done for the Comptons in the past in their old home by former employees of the Property Appraiser’s office.  After a thorough review by both me and my staff, it was determined that the current assessment was accurate, and would not be reduced. The determination is subject to their right to appeal it to the Value Adjustment Board, but such an appeal was not filed.

I have made fair and equitable appraisals a central point as to why I’m running, and the Compton’s request was neither fair nor equitable to the rest of the citizens of Wakulla County.  If I lowered their assessment below the value required by law, other taxpayers would have paid the difference in their taxes.  It is just that simple.

To prevent this from occurring I have introduced new technology showing who makes changes to assessed values of properties in my office.  And I have terminated an employee for such an act of favoritism.

With honesty, integrity, and an open door is how I run the Property Appraiser’s office.  Appraisals are fair and equitable so you don’t pay extra taxes while someone else gets a free ride to the bank.  Obviously, Ms. Compton feels that my opponent will be more flexible in the matter.  The people of Wakulla County must determine for themselves whether such “flexibility” is in their best interests or someone else’s.

I deeply regret Ms. Compton has taken this public and turned what is an otherwise healthy debate on the future of Wakulla into a personal spat.  But I am sticking by my guns and will continue to “call ‘em as I see’ em” without fear or favor.  That is the law; that is what is right; that is what is fair to all.

Thank you.

 
Anne Woodward Ahrendt

This letter originally published on October 22, 2006.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

Comments (1)

AHHHH, APPRAISING--AND FAIRNESS, Thanks to Anne for her

October 25, 2006     

Thanks to Anne for her side of the story, and thanks to Wakulla.com for allowing the free exchange of ideas. While none of us will ever agree on everything, I salute the website for providing the service and to Annne for cleaaring the air. I witnessed some of the unfair and very pointed questions directed at Anne at one forum and am thankful that she has the opportunity to respond. Hugh Taylor
hughtaylor | 199.44.16.166 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

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