Monday, April 26, 2010

Board of Assessor Endorsement

There are three candidates for this office. Last year I supported Todd Greenwood in his race against Thomas Gunning. This year he and Jim Henderson are running against Kathi Heffernan.

Todd is a strong candidate and if he were running against one of the other incumbents I could easily support him. His educational background and experience in Quantitative Analysis equip him for the job. A year ago he took the Assessors course offered by the Department of Revenue.

But he’s running against a bright spot on the current board. Kathi Heffernan is dedicated to a job she’s done for some time and done well. While opponent Jim Henderson seems to believe the Board should be “advocates” for taxpayers, Kathi properly understands the role as adhering to well prescribed procedures to ensure fair and accurate valuations of real estate, and to properly adjudicate requests for abatements.

I’m looking at a piece of literature from Jim Henderson’s campaign. It asks, “Frustrated with your tax assessment?” and goes on to suggest a vote for change. Is Mr. Henderson promising lower assessments? Just for those who vote for him, or everyone? Does he have some reason to believe there is a problem with assessments? As a CPA he touts his knowledge of taxes. But a CPA is paid by a client to use the tax code to minimize tax payments. That is not the job he is running for. A member of the board of Assessors has certain limited power affecting individual Milton residents. They can neither be advocate for nor against any taxpayer. Kathi Heffernan’s appreciation of this important point explains why she has never taken political contributions while serving in this role.

I hope Todd Greenwood runs for the Board of Assessors next year. This year, I hope you vote for Kathi Heffernan.

13 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kathy Heffernan was missing in action when the important Temple property issue was being discussed at the Special Town Meeting.

It was an issue which has been on the table and would go to a special town meeting but MS. Heffernan chose to go on vacation than to participate in this vital meeting.

I do not know where she stands on the Temple issue and the associated assessment issues in a zoning change.

Therefore, I cannot vote for Kathy Heffernan this time.

My vote will be for Todd Greenwood who has shown the dedication, background and intellect to transform the Assessor's Office from its 19th Century status to an up to date and efficient 21'st Century operation.

Wish Ms. Heffernan well, but it is time for a change to TODD GREENWOOD FOR MILTON ASSESSOR.

2:26 PM  
Blogger Philip Mathews said...

Ms. Heffernan's vacation plans were made before the special town meeting date were established.

There was no issue of assessments that required a Board of Assessors opinion, which is why during the four days of debate no one asked them.

Making changes to the operations of the Board of Assessors requires a majority. Ms. Heffernan is hardly the stumbling bloc in that regard.

2:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Phil
We will have to agree to disagree on this one.
To this voter is shows a lack of interest on a very important issue and more than that Kathi ducked taking a stand on the Temple issue.

It is vital that the only remaining Temple remain in Milton if we are really a welcoming community.

Perhaps, if Kathi Heffernan or her husband, past town moderator, Rick Ward had been there they could have convinced more town meeting members to vote for ... or against the zoning change. We will never know.

I know where Todd Greenwood stood on the issue and that is why I will be casting my vote for TODD GREENWOOD FOR ASSESSOR on Tuesday.

2:48 PM  
Blogger Philip Mathews said...

Kathi did not duck the issue and anyone who has talked to her knows, she supported the Temple.

In any event, the stand on that issue shouldn't be a qualification for being on the Board of Assessors.

2:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We can already see were next years endorsement is going

4:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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6:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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6:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry Phil

When you do not take a public stand you are ducking the issue.

My friend Kathi made a tactical error and voters noticed.

Better to admit it an move on.

8:44 PM  
Blogger Philip Mathews said...

You can't take a public stand when you're not here.

8:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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10:47 PM  
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10:49 PM  
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12:26 AM  
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12:27 AM  

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