Published: July 05, 2008 10:30 pm            

Letters to the Editor 7/6/08

Why another appraiser

To the Editor: The chief appraiser of the Navarro Central Appraisal District requested another appraiser be added to the staff in the 2009 budget. That sure upset some people as indicated by a letter to the editor in the Daily Sun on Sunday, June 15. The CAD board of directors, at its June 19 meeting, did indeed approve hiring an additional appraiser in 2009. Why did it do so in the face of such rabid criticism?

Simple. Texas law states all real estate is to be rendered at 100 percent of market value. Market value means what a property sold for or what it would sell for if placed on the open market. The law further states in the event appraisals are not rendered within specific parameters the State may withhold school funding.

Previously, many properties in Navarro County were assessed below market value with full knowledge of the CAD board. Some properties were undervalued as much as $100,000 and more. Some less. Based on 2007 tax rates, a property owner whose property was undervalued $100,000 would save $1,285.00 in CISD taxes, $627.20 in city taxes, $575.40 in county taxes, and $120 in junior college taxes. That’s a total of $2,607.60 on just one property for one year. Multiply that by several hundred properties over several years and one readily sees the significant losses incurred by the various taxing entities. Undervalued assessments directly impact the tax base which is used to set the tax rate by all taxing entities.

It is only natural to expect some complaining from owners who have not been paying their fair share of taxes over the years. However, they must recognize there were many who have paid their full share, and more.

Wouldn’t you say the move by the CAD was warranted?

Grover Pearson



Taking a stand

To the Editor: I am proud to see people standing up for their rights, rights that so many ignore and take for granted. Yes, I am against the power plants, my reasons are the concerns and health of not only my family, but of the people in our community.

For some people I’m sure I have not done enough in the fight against the power plants and for some, I’m sure I have done too much. It is not my intention to offend anyone; if I have I apologize. I apologize for being so concerned for the health and well-being of people I know and love, and for those I don’t know; for believing that their physical welfare is more important than making a dollar.

After the last meeting I attended, I had a young woman ask me who I was. I had asked her during the meeting who she was. I had asked because the way she laughed and made fun of those who stood strong enough in their beliefs to stand up and state their beliefs; they were a joke to her. I did not see her stating her beliefs or showing her support in a respectful manner. When I told her who I was, just another concerned citizen that lives near the proposed plant sites with a child that will not benefit from the pollution, she commenced to tell me that my family and I needed to move or “get the (deleted)” out of her county.

I hope that everyone, no matter your stand in this matter, can later look back on this issue and be proud of the way they acted and their decisions.

My hope and prayer is if these power plants come about, you as individuals and as representatives of Navarro County will hold them to the highest of standards.

Lori Tigue



Read Simpson’s column

To the Editor: If you didn’t read Gelene Simpson’s column published in the Daily Sun on July 1, 2008, please locate a copy and read it.

You will be inspired by what she shares with us as we observe the Fourth of July holiday.

Sincerely,

Jean C. Tatum

        

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