Stick with success in Vernon Township

In a recent letter to Fence Post, John Billis complains that the Vernon Township Assessor Gary Raupp and the Vernon Township Supervisor Bill Peterson are not doing their jobs and therefore should not be re-elected. But does Mr. Billis understand exactly what their jobs are? I think not.

Mr. Billis states that Gary Raupp raised the assessment of his house and thus his property taxes went up. According to local real estate appraisers his house is appraised for about $100,000 over what he could sell it for. This may be true as the current economy has not been kind to the housing market. However, your assessment at this point in time is NOT based on "current appraisals," but rather on the assessment made Jan. 1, 2008.

Despite the fact that your house has decreased in value, expenses of local taxing bodies have not decreased. Due to inflation taxing bodies increase their spending every year and whether assessments go up or down, they still have to get their revenues. In other words even if your assessment goes down, all the taxing bodies still need to obtain money from their levy that was passed by "we the voters," compelling the county clerk's office to apply the legal rate increases.

Although Supervisor Bill Peterson may not be checking to see that lawns in unincorporated areas are mowed, he does run an efficient township office. As a resident for 34 years I note that when you call Vernon Township you do not have to wade through a menu of options, but speak with a service-oriented person ready to answer your questions.

Change in April? I think not. I support the re-election of the Townships Citizens party.

Karen Duhig

Prairie View