|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Property appraiser candidates debate issues
By BOB MACPHERSON
Article published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 |
NORTH REDINGTON BEACH – Pam Dubov, Ben Friedlander and Frank Gregoire participated in a debate before the Barrier Islands Governmental Council Feb. 27. All three are running in the Aug. 26 primary election for a chance to be on the ballot in November in the race for Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
BIG-C Vice President and Indian Shores’ Mayor Jim Lawrence served as moderator.
Each candidate gave a short presentation, highlighting their qualifications. Lawrence then posed a series of questions that each candidate responded to.
Dubov, an 18-year veteran of the property appraiser’s office, cited her job experience as a senior manager in the office she hopes to head. She said that during her tenure in the office 53,000 more properties were added to the rolls and 43,000 more exemptions were issued, all on an average annual budget increase of only 4 percent.
Gregoire, a 27-year real estate appraiser, was a 2000 appointee of former Gov. Jeb Bush to the Florida Real Estate Appraiser’s Board on which he served four terms. He said he helped get two bills through the Legislature and signed into law to protect consumers from unethical appraisal practices.
“I retired from the board to run for the property appraiser job,” he said.
“I’m running because I see a need in the community and I wish to solve some of those needs,” Friedlander said. “I have been in real estate for 33 years and been past president of the Realtor’s association.”
Friedman said he is actively involved with the Pinellas County retarded children’s organization and the Habitat for Humanity.
One of the questions posed to the candidates related to the issue of “presumption of correctness” in the appraisal of properties. Presumption of correctness implies that the property appraiser’s appraisal is presumed to be correct and the property owner must accept that conclusion.
Dubov said she supports a change in the law.
“If we can’t defend an assessment, then let property owners prevail,” she said. “I support the elimination of presumption of correctness.”
Friedlander said it should be a level playing field between the property appraiser and the property owner.
“There is an air of arrogance coming down through the appraiser’s office. A few appraisers are not so good. Residents are treated rudely or intimidated. Everybody has a right to be heard in this process,” he said
Gregoire said that people always doubt what the appraisers say.
“I believe citizens should have the same right. I brought forward a motion to eliminate presumption of correctness,” he said.
Lawrence’s last question was what policies each candidate would implement if elected.
Friedlander said his first action would be to “require all front-line deputy appraisers to reject pressure to come up with a higher number.”
He also said “customer service is something taxpayers are entitled to. They (appraisers) need to understand they are not serving government but are serving the public.”
Gregoire said he would adopt a commitment to excellence.
“We all have to learn from our mistakes,” he said. “I happen to learn by negative examples. This (property appraisal) is my entire life. Citizens deserve something better than the same old, same old. I can assure you I will not hide behind the constraints of my position.”
“In the 18 years I have been privileged to be a property appraisal officer I have a commitment to our customers,” Dubov said. “Every office has a couple of bad apples. Customer service has to be the most important attribute of a property appraiser.”
|
Article published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
