Published: October 31, 2008 03:53 pm            

Readers' Forum: Nov. 1, 2008

No more study; get rid of all township assessors

Please allow me to rebut a few statements that were made in your Oct. 24 editorial, “Assessor question deserves time, dialogue.”

First, you suggest that it is ill-advised to deauthorize experienced personnel who work for the township assessor. In fact, county assessors across the state are hiring former township assessors and their staffs if those individuals have proven to know the job and are willing to work under the new system. And that’s exactly the point: people who know how to assess should continue to do so, but under a standardized, countywide system with one accountable leader, ensuring uniformity and thus fair taxation.

You also say that the consolidation won’t save taxpayer money. Actually, some jurisdictions are recognizing sizable savings. The Hancock County assessor has said that consolidation has saved her county $95,000 this year and will save $150,000 next. The Indianapolis controller estimated savings of at least $3 million if the eight townships with a referendum all vote to consolidate.

But even in areas where the lump sum savings are small, one should remember these two points: It’s wiser to pay a little more for professional work than to pay plenty for less-than-professional work. And when assessments aren’t conducted uniformly, the result is unfair taxation — so somebody is paying the price.

Third, you state that nothing guarantees the township assessing budget will be used for assessing. Actually, state law requires that the budget of an abolished township assessor office rolls over to the county assessor.

But perhaps the most troubling assertion you make is this — that this issue “deserves time, consideration and measured, pro-and-con dialogue.” Isn’t 191 years long enough? That’s when the first questions about an excessive number of “listers” — the precursor to assessors — were raised. Isn’t 73 years long enough? That’s when a blue-ribbon commission appointed by Gov. Paul McNutt stated that “the county rather than the township should be made the unit for assessment purposes.” Similar questions have been raised in study after study after study, year after year after year.

Indiana has 3,100 of the 39,000 units of local government in the United States. In other words, a state styled as having common sense and small government has 8 percent of the local units of government for only 2 percent of the population. We think this change is long overdue. Vote “yes” to ensure uniform assessments and fair taxation.

— Marilyn Schultz

Executive Director

MySmartgov.org



Be suspicious of central governing

Our governor appointed the Kernan-Shepard commission which was charged with “streamlining government” in Indiana. Basically, it calls for Indiana counties to have one elected commissioner who will appoint the sheriff, auditor, and other previously voter-elected office holders. The claim is that this move from an elective to an appointive government would be more efficient and cost-saving. Does this mean we would want the president of the U.S. to appoint our governor in the name of efficiency? I don’t think so!

Under the plan, the reorganization of government in Indiana is supposedly to reduce the size of government. Unfortunately, it doesn’t perform that reduction at the top where it belongs, but in the rural areas of Indiana. This centralized government takes it away from the citizens. Some communistic, socialistic and even dictatorship forms of government have risen to power in the name of efficiency. Increased bureaucracy is most often more expensive and less efficient.

Some have justified centralized government by claiming that in this day of better communications and technology, government officials are more accessible. Some of our private businesses are examples of communications “improvement”. Our electric company has merged several times and is now owned by an out-of-state corporation. I recently called about a street light being out. The recorded message informed me something to the effect of “we are extremely busy, call back at another time.”

The arrogance of power of our leaders in the state capital is evident with the attitude that the small communities and rural Indiana don’t have the intelligence to handle the problems. It is more difficult when many of the problems have been created by the state and federal government bureaucracy.

If we accept the philosophy of government propounded by the Kernan-Shepard panels, don’t be surprised if you try to call your county commissioner (commissar?) and reach only a recorded message, “I am extremely busy, call ----”!

— Dorman W. Clark

former mayor

Jasonville



When you vote, don’t forget babies

“Most people vote on things concerning the economy and second on moral issues. The reverse should be your concern. If you vote on moral issues, God will take care of the economy.”

This appeared in a recent church bulletin and it is food for thought.

Thank you, Tom McBroom (10-19) and Michael Effner (10-22) for making abortion a top priority. I hope that others will do the same.

I read where only half of the Christians vote. That’s shameful. Even if you don’t care about any of the other issues, do it for the babies.

— Marilyn Payton

Rosedale



Keep Abe in mind on Election Day

As Election Day approaches, it is hoped all readers of the Tribune-Star will reflect on the very wise words of President Abraham Lincoln.

He said, “You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage, by taking away men’s initiative and independence. You cannot help 20 men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.”

Maybe these great words will help you decide on election day. I believe his words are as good today and when Lincoln said them.

— Jerry Penman Mitchell

Terre Haute



Negative attacks cheapen process

Desperate people do desperate things.

I am informed that Bob Heaton, state representative Vern Tincher’s opponent, has repeatedly accused Tincher of having qualified for a large legislator’s pension.

Using Heaton’s own figures, it is estimated that the pension will pay Mr. Tincher approximately $300 per month.

Heaton’s negative attacks on a proven and effective public official such as Mr. Tincher only serve to cheapen the election process.

— Jerry Kearns

Terre Haute



Another step in move to socialism

Recently our elected congressional leaders performed a disservice to the American people when they supported and passed the “bailout” proposal.

In fact, they effectively proved their collective incompetence by passing such loathsome legislation. Why do I say this? Because that unnecessary action took the USA a giant step away from a free-market economy and took us a giant step deeper into socialism.

Marx and Lenin would be proud.

— Kenneth F. Zane

Paris, Ill.



Fox News has its own biases

In response to the letter written by Debby Elsberry of Paris, Ill., I too watch Fox News, but I also watch other political channels, mainly because I am neither Democrat or Republican oriented.

If you watch mostly Fox, you are not a voter with an open mind. Fox is a Republican-owned network.

Some folks are easily manipulated and apparently you are one of those if you think Fox is non-biased.

— Sandie Vaughn

Linton



Abe lacked experience

When Abraham Lincoln was elected president, he had never before been elected to an executive position. He, therefore, had no executive experience prior to taking office.

— Char Minnette

Terre Haute



Vigo County voters have a gem in candidate Bill Treadway

I see that my friend Bill Treadway is running for the office of Vigo County Clerk. In addition to being a professor of history at Indiana Wesleyan, Bill is also chairman of the Vigo County Republican Party. If candidates were elected on the basis of admirable character and uncommon decency, Bill would win in a landslide. Bright, articulate, sensitive, caring and always the gentleman — that’s Bill in a nutshell.

I rarely comment on local politics, preferring the national and international scene. But occasionally a person of such esteemable qualities tosses his hat into the ring and I’m compelled to comment. Bill’s candidacy is a good case in point.

I’ve known Bill for over 20 years, and in all that time I’ve never heard him curse or speak ill of another person. Aside from my wife, I can’t say that of another individual. And while Bill is certainly passionate about politics, one of his endearing qualities is that there is nothing mean-spirited in his political approach. He remains a happy warrior. A devoted family man and active in his church, Bill and his wife, Angela, both Sunday school teachers, reside on the city’s north side with their three sons.

Bill’s penchant for fiscal conservatism is most refreshing in this era of massive deficits. Aside from Ryan Cummins, I can’t think of another politician who manifests such dogged determination when it comes to keeping government out of taxpayers’ purses. Bill notes that our last local election cost taxpayers over $500,000. If elected, Bill would seek to lower the cost by reducing the number of polling sites (there are currently more than 50).

With the advent of satellite voting — which allows folks to vote at their leisure — ubiquitous polling sites on Election Day are unnecessary. It’s instructive to note that “two judges, two sheriffs, two clerks and one inspector” must monitor each polling site. Total cost to taxpayers for these seven individuals to monitor just one site is $770. Multiply that sum by 50 and pretty soon we’re talking real money.

Another change Bill would seek to implement is the odd practice of using area schools as polling sites. As a parent, the notion of convicted child molesters gaining access to our schools causes Bill and other area parents genuine concern.

Bill would also seek to save the taxpayers money by implementing a “paperless” filing system for circuit court judges. Such a system would shrink government by reducing the number of new personnel to be hired.

Instead of Judge Smith asking his file clerk to retrieve “xyz” document — a process that oftentimes entails leaving the premises — all Judge Smith would need to do is click his mouse. (A backup database would be utilized as a precautionary measure.)

Before casting a vote for Bill, you might be curious as to whether he’s been effective as party chairman. I will respond by pointing out just two facts: Prior to Bill becoming party chairman in 2005, Terre Haute had not elected a GOP prosecutor in two decades, or a Republican mayor in nearly four decades. Both offices are now GOP strongholds. Coincidence? I think not. Bill appears to be the real candidate of change.

And while I appreciate Bill’s politics very much, what’s most impressive about him is the fact that he is a conservative in the philosophical sense of the word. Bill manifests the sort of traditional conservatism that was embodied by the late Russell Kirk: an abiding devotion to what Kirk called the “permanent things” — family, hearth and home. Regrettably, such values are missing in this era of slick politics and airbrushed candidates sporting $1,500 Armani suits.

Moreover, Bill views politics as a temporary public service and has little interest in becoming a career politician. (God knows we have plenty of those already.) Eventually, Bill hopes to devote all his working hours to his favorite vocation: teaching.

Voters seeking to cast a worthwhile vote this election cycle would do well to vote for Bill Treadway. Politics aside, how often does one get the opportunity to cast a vote for a first-rate human being?

— Reggie McConnell

Terre Haute

        

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