Augusta County against assessment "burden of proof" bill?

Augusta County had a representative in Richmond last week arguing against the "burden of proof" bill that would make assessors prove land's increased value instead of leaving that burden of proof on citizens.

To have an Augusta County public servant testifying in Richmond is interesting considering over 10,000 Augusta County citizens signed petitions against the county to protest the odious 2009 real estate assessments, and 1,000 citizens turned out for a Board of Supervisors meeting.

Augusta citizens feel their elected representatives are not listening to them. Perhaps this type of action has something to do with that.

Del. Sal Iaquinto's "burden of proof" bill, HB 570, was introduced and passed in the House but ran into a brick wall in the Senate. Tertium Quids' Norm Leahy testified on behalf of the bill this past week:

Del. Sal Iaquinto's tax assessment burden of proof bill, HB 570, was on the agenda and I was there to speak on its behalf. Beforehand, I spoke with the Delegate regarding the bill's prospects before the committee. He said it looked like the lobbyists for Virginia's counties and cities has done a thorough job of tilting the Democrats, at least, against it.

And sure enough, when it came time to speak on the bill, VaCo and the VML announced their opposition, as did a handful of tax collectors from Fairfax, Prince William and Augusta counties.

They all believe the current system -- which puts the burden on taxpayers to show that a property assessment is in error -- is working great.

They also seem fine with the idea that, as Iaquinto pointed out, the substantial proof taxpayers must show in a challenge is slightly below the burden of proof required for criminal cases.

So yes, Virginia, the taxman assumes you're guilty, unless you can prove otherwise.

What I found interesting was that Augusta County was even there after the assessment battle of the past year. But here's the kicker from Norm:

And it was amusing to find so many local government employees lobbying on this bill as opposed to doing their jobs back home. But it seems they found their time was better used arguing against taxpayers. [emphasis added]

The bill was defeated 9-5. Thanks, tax collector from Augusta County, whomever you were.

DJ took note that Augusta County was there.

Cross-posted at Virginia Virtucon

Shenandoah County assessment rally brings out 100 angry landowners

Shenandoah County is once again following in Augusta County's footsteps (after filing a lawsuit against a citizen who asked for FOIA information from the BOS). Shenandoah's new real estate assessments just came out and out of touch, just as Augusta County assessments were six months ago.

Today in a hastily-called rally with 12 hours notice (a 1" ad was in yesterday's newspaper asking that those upset with real estate assessments show up and speak out at 9:00 a.m.), over 100 county residents made of up angry farmers and property owners turned out. We heard that the crowd was so loud it could be heard by those attending court inside.

A preliminary write-up is in the Northern Virginia Daily newspaper with additional information in tomorrow's edition after one of their reporters came out of her office when she saw such a large crowd and began covering the rally.

According to our boots-on-the-ground, Mr. Philip Hunt of Strasburg, a citizen activist, took out the newspaper ad at the urging of his 18-year-old daughter and called for the rally at the Shenandoah County Courthouse in downtown Woodstock.

The crowd of over 100 was about 75% farmers ... those folks who live on the land, work the land, and pass it on to the next generation. While the rally took place, motorists drove by and honked their horns in support.

Mr. Hunt stood on the steps and asked, "Where are the supervisors to explain this to us? None of them are here. They work for us ... we pay their salary." There were no electeds in attendance ... but three candidates for the Nov. 3 election were present.

Write-in Independent candidate Cindy Bailey running for supervisor in District 4 (representing Fort Valley and Woodstock) promised no tax hikes and that the budget would be picked over with a fine-tooth comb. Her yard signs were a hot item after the rally and word is she has more yard signs in her District than either of the other two candidates.

Mark Prince, another Independent supervisor candidate who is running in District 5 (and who was sued two weeks ago by the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors) also addressed the crowd, stressing transparency in government.

Connie Broy, running as an Independent for School Board, joined in with comments at the rally.

Fred Hughes with the group Citizens for Honest Government also spoke and said to the crowd, "We have been fighting the board of supervisors for three years. One or three or 15 can't do it -- we need you to be angry enough to do it." He received a roar of approval. He continued, "If you want to make a difference, go to supervisor work sessions because that is where decisions are made. By the time the public meeting is held, decisions have already been made."

Local small business contractors were in the crowd who wanted to know why local businesses weren't used for many of the BOS spending projects. "They don't hire locally," they said, noting that many were idled in these financially difficult times.

"This board of supervisors is becoming copycats," said Suzanne Curran, another member of the group Citizens for Honest Government. "This happened in Augusta County six months ago and the same situation arose with outrageous real estate assessments. Citizens got together and circulated petitions, collecting 10,500 signatures. The Shenandoah board of supervisors is following the Augusta County BOS example and now they have come out with the same kind of over-inflated real estate assessments."

One resident expressed the feelings of others:

Jerry Elbon, who lives in Strasburg, stood towards the back of the crowd.
"I'm here because of these taxes," he said in a brief interview. "[My reassessment] went up 100 percent. I think they're a bunch of crooks and a bunch of thieves, or whatever you want to call them. They're not for the people of Shenandoah County. They're for themselves. They're not for business."

ACTION ITEM: Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming Shenandoah County Board of Supevisors meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7:00 pm at the Government Center located on 600 N. Main Street, Woodstock. The parking lot is behind the school. Bring a homemade sign or get one when you arrive.

Directions: I-81 to exit 283. Turn east onto Rt. 42; go to 2nd traffic light at Rt. 11 and turn left. Drive through Woodstock to the north end of town ... watch for school and government center on right side of Rt. 11.

News Virginian: Francis Chester ... Augusta County hero

The Waynesboro News Virginian chose Francis Chester as one of its weekly "Three UP, Three DOWN" spotlights:

WOOL MAN: Francis Chester, a Churchville lawyer and sheep farmer, returned to a favorite place this week, center stage, to resume his battle over Augusta County’s reassessment. Chester arrived in court sporting patented duds, a jacket for which the material apparently was derived from the farm. The people love Chester. The county despises him. To the latter, what else can we say? Too baaad. [emphasis added]

This on top of the Staunton News Leader pounding down on the County of Augusta for wasting taxpayer money and time taking Mr. Chester to court because he dared to represent 10,500 landowners upset over outrageously overinflated real estate assessments.

It's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ... Augusta County style.

What did Augusta County's day in court do? It rallied citizens who are angry at the government pounding down on the little guy. Francis Chester is representing 10,500 citizens pro bono with volunteers from Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments (ACAUA).

You own that Government Center ... and those are your employees working there, thanks to your hard-earned taxes.

How can you help in this battle? Email and join the growing corps of citizen volunteers who are going up against City Hall or, in this case, the Augusta County Government Center.

Tonight ... Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments

Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments

What: Meeting to update citizens
Where: Memorial Baptist Church, Staunton - Gym (in rear)
Date: TONIGHT -- Tuesday, June 2
Time: 7:00 pm
Info: SWAC.girl@gmail.com

Churchville attorney Francis Chester will update citizens of Augusta County on the real estate assessment issue, where the court case stands now, and where it goes next. If you signed a petition ... and even if you didn't ... come out and hear the latest update.

From SWAC Girl blog - Augusta County Board of Supervisors meeting 3/11/09:
Largest Crowd Ever ... 1,000 Residents Protest Taxes (click to read)


Directions: Memorial Baptist Church is located at 224 Taylor Street, Staunton 24401, beside Robert E. Lee High School.

From Woodrow Wilson Bypass/Rt. 262 (Exit 225 - Staunton Holiday Inn exit): Turn onto Rt. 11 south toward Staunton. At split in road, bear RIGHT about 0.5 mile to next split in the road; bear LEFT on Coalter Street. Follow to traffic light; turn left onto Taylor Street. Church on right; gymnasium in rear.

Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments to meet June 2

It has been quiet since Churchville attorney Francis Chester filed the lawsuit against Augusta County on behalf of 10,500 residents asking supervisors to roll back tax assessments to 2005 values. Many have asked the status of the assessment issue.

There will be a townhall meeting of the Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 7 pm at Memorial Baptist Church in Staunton. At that time Mr. Chester will update citizens on the real estate assessment issue, where the court case stands now, and where it goes next.

If you signed a petition ... and even if you didn't but are concerned about government spending of your hard-earned tax money ... come out and hear the latest update.

Augusta tax revolt was a HUGE success

~1,000 citizens attend Board of Supervisors meeting~
~Over 10,600 signatures collected on petitions ~
~50 landowners address Board ~
~ Citizens turned away because of huge crowd~

Wednesday's Augusta County Board of Supervisors meeting was amazing on several levels. What could be billed as Augusta's tax revolt brought citizens together to ask supervisors to roll back their assessments to 2005 values.

First, We the People came out en masse to an organizational townhall meeting on February 3, 2009, as 600 citizens packed into Verona United Methodist Church to hear from Supervisor Tracy Pyles and Francis Chester to learn how to make their voices heard in the real estate assessment issue.

Second, We the People came out en masse -- 1,000 strong -- to the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 11, 2009, to speak up and show support for Churchville attorney Francis Chester who called on the board to roll back assessments to 2005 values.

Even though the Government Center had been told a huge crowd was expected, they did not feel it necessary to move the proceedings to a larger venue. As a result, the board room filled quickly, then two auxiliary rooms set up with monitors filled, and then the hallways where chairs were set up and small audio speakers allowed some to hear the meeting.

The remaining folks, estimated at up to several hundred, were left outside. Others reported they drove by, saw the crowd, and left. The large turnout was an indication of taxpayer frustration, many who feel their tax money is wasted by their government. One citizen wrote a letter to the editor saying he was upset at the supervisors' lack of planning for the large crowd. A local Patrick Henry was there holding a "Don't Tread On Me" flag.

Third, 50 citizens addressed the board. Forty-nine disagreed with the increased real estate assessments ... only one agreed with them. Speakers were given one minute to state their case, five minutes if representing a group. When Churchville attorney Francis Chester asked for 10 minutes and was told he could have five, he held up the stack of petitions consisting of 10,000+ signatures and asked for one minute per thousand signatures. He got his 10 minutes.

Fourth, over 10,600 signatures were collected on petitions that were circulated countywide. The petitions, asking supervisors to roll back assessments to 2005 values, were taken by citizens who carried them to work, to their neighborhoods, and families; 30+ businesses displayed them; Tractor Supply, with a finger on the pulse of the farming community, invited Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments to join their Community Days on February 14th to collect petitions, and they displayed petitions on the counter for six weeks where hundreds of signatures were obtained. Jake's convenience store on Rt. 250 between Staunton and Churchville, a popular spot for Subway sandwiches, coffee, and gasoline, collected hundreds and hundreds of signatures. The petition drive was a movement that carried itself.

Fifth, volunteers offered help in ways that were much appreciated by all involved. Some offered background on the current finanical climate. Others sent assessment information. They are still volunteering as Phase II of this effort gets underway with plans to carry a lawsuit against the supervisors in Augusta Circuit Court.

Sixth, the media's coverage of the BOS meeting provided information for citizens who could not attend, and follow-up for those who did. The Staunton News Leader had a live feed on their website that was viewed by many including one activist who emailed that he and others watched on the computer, reacting along with those who were on-sight at the meeting. The Waynesboro News Virginian was there as well as NBC-29 and WHSV TV-3. Pat Jarrett, a photojournalist with the News Leader, snapped many photos that are on display on their website. Eighty-One magazine weighed in on the subject as did Nelson County Life magazine. Finally, four local bloggers were in attendance and covered the meeting with commentary and photos: Yankee Philip, The Journey, Augusta Water Cooler, and SWAC Girl.

The Board of Supervisors voted down the request to roll back assessments to 2005 values. What is next?

Wednesday was a microcosm of what is occurring across the nation as concerned citizens aka The Silent Majority begin to take action against elected officials who are perceived as not listening to citizen concerns and needs. While Americans are tightening their belts in economic hard times, government continues to spend, spend, spend.

Tax revolts -- tea parties -- are springing up across the country, and many are planned for April 15 including one in Shockhoe Slip in downtown Richmond.

There is a groundswell of discontent among those who pay taxes and feel those taxes are increasingly squandered by the government. Tough times have hit Americans, something that is evident in the SWAC area of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County after local companies laid off hundreds of employees ... Invista, Mohawk Carpet, American Safety Razor, Gem Ply, Unifi, Hershey ... as home prices dropped 18% the last quarter of 2008, as housing starts dropped to their lowest level since 1959. Baby boomers have seen half their retirement savings disappear as the Stock Market dropped ... others lost their investments.

Now Dinwiddie County residents are asking their supervisors to throw out 2009 assessments because of huge increases. Sound familiar? Bath, Gloucester, and Nelson Counties have already had these battles ... and Washington County residents are contacting Augusta folks asking for help in fighting their real estate assessment increases. The discontent is spreading.

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is Wednesday, March 25, at 7 pm at the Government Center. Supervisor meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. This is the time to keep an eye on your elected representatives as they begin to discuss the budget and other issues that will involve your tax money.

Stay informed ... stay involved.

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn R. Mitchell
March 11, 2009

Now there are 10,364 signatures from Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments

The number of signatures continues to grow as more petitions are turned in and folks continue to stop by Churchville attorney Francis Chester's office. I delivered additional petitions to the Augusta County Government Center today which brings the total signatures at this time to 10,364.

While at Mr. Chester's office to pick up the petitions, four more people from the county stopped by to sign. One couple had attended last Wednesday's meeting and were disgusted with the response from the supervisors -- so disgusted that they drove all the way across the county from Stuarts Draft to Churchville to sign the petition.

Phone calls continue to come in from folks angry that supervisors did not listen and did not vote to roll back real estate assessments to 2005 values. Unrest is still in the air.

Meanwhile, we will continue to collect petitions as they are dropped off at the office and I will continue to get them to the Government Center as our list of signatures on the petitions continues to grow.

Tax revolt? Tea party? Frustration? Anger? Something is going on, not just in Augusta County, but nationwide.

1,000 protest taxes ... largest crowd ever at Augusta Govt Center

When 1,000 Augusta County residents turned out to protest taxes, part of the overflow crowd was seated in rooms with monitors showing the proceedings in the main board room.

The board room was packed to capacity ...

Tom Nelson and SWAC Husband look over Tom's remarks to the board.

Overflow crowd was seated in the hallway ...

... and more of the overflow crowd in the hallway. Others were outside on the sidewalk and others drove away when they saw the crowd.

Photos by Kurt Michael
March 11, 2009

Patrick County having assessment issues, too ...

... and Gloucester and Bath and Washington and....

Assessments come and assessments go ... so why the big fuss this year? The financial environment, in my opinion. Lost jobs. Decreased incomes. Company cut-backs. Stock market losses. Retirement savings cut in half.

My husband is a Teamster. They took a 10% cut in salary the first of the year to help the companies they work for. Trucking is down because orders are down. People are buying less ... stores are ordering less ... trucking companies are hauling less. Just about everyone is touched in some way by what is occurring in this financial climate.

In the midst of this, reassessment envelopes arrived and many properties, especially those that have land, jumped in value. Keep in mind home prices decreased 18% in the last quarter of 2008, and housing starts are the lowest they've been since 1959.

Alton Foley at I'm Not Emeril wrote a post today about Patrick County's real estate issue. I got a call from a woman in Washington County ... they are dealing with this very issue right now. Washington County had the same accessor as Augusta. Not sure who did Patrick County's assessments.

Alton wrote:

Augusta Patrick County citizens are up in arms over their latest property assessments. Well, to be a bit more accurate, they are upset over their latest property tax bill.

One thing I disagree with Alton about, however. He concluded his post by saying it's not the accessor's fault; it's the Board of Supervisors' fault.

I think it's the fault of both.

Many questions have been raised about how accessment values were arrived at by the accessing company ... how could all lots in a subdivision be valued the same no matter the size or view ... how could properties with huge electrical towers be valued the same as similar properties without that intrusion ... how could a septic field be valued the same as a building lot ... and on and on and on.

The Board of Supervisors appears to want to pass the buck. Only one supervisor has taken a stand to roll back accessments to the 2005 values or to try and find another way to help county residents.

I remember the 2005 assessments. Many property values around here skyrocketed. The combination of having that happen again just four years later, and the financial climate, probably both played into the huge outcry from the public this time.

The Augusta County supervisors meeting is tomorrow night -- Wednesday, March 11 -- at the Government Center in Verona. Petitions with thousands of names will be turned in. Churchville attorney Francis Chester will address the board. Supervisor Tracy Pyles will again try to persuade his co-supervisors to find a way to help taxpayers. Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments will be there to address the board. It could even be billed a tea party of protest against higher property taxes.

Stay tuned....

News Leader editorial misses the mark

The Staunton News Leader is certainly covering the water front today on the real estate assessment issue in Augusta County. Some thoughts....

A column by Churchville attorney Francis Chester, County reassessments topic of public meeting, lays out the information and reasoning behind challenging the Augusta County Board of Supervisors. He tells why "We the People" must be vigilent with those who represent us.

A letter to the editor from a gentleman in Stuarts Draft (whom I do not know) was in favor of rolling assessments back to 2005.

An editorial cartoon by McCloskey is unfair and plays on people's fears.

With all due respect, an editorial titled Tax Revolt? by the NL editorial board is inaccurate and spreads the wrong message. After getting the name of the group wrong ... it is the Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments (not "coalition" -- I think there is a difference), they go on to suggest the message to county residents is to not pay their taxes.

Wrong.

At no time in any size, shape, or form has anyone involved in standing up to the supervisors ever -- ever -- suggested citizens not pay their taxes.

No one is opposed to taxes -- they are a necessary part of life. However, fair representation and responsible spending are part of the job of the elected officials who are stewarts of our money.

Tomorrow. March 11. 7 pm. Augusta County Supervisors Meeting at the Government Center in Verona. This is the opportunity to speak up and speak out.

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments ... ad in News Virginian

Today's Waynesboro News Virginian has a quarter-page ad on page A-3 and a similar ad is running in the Staunton News Leader, thanks to an anonymous group of landowners who contacted us and offered to do this:

Real Estate Tax Meeting
SOUND
OFF ON THE
ASSESSMENT
at the Augusta County Supervisors Meeting
March 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Government Center
(Rt.11) Verona, VA

We the people will have an opportunity to
express our thoughts concerning the 2009 Real
Estate Tax assessments for Augusta County.

Be involved and let our voice be heard. We need
every man, woman and child to participate!!!

If you wish to address the board
come early and sign in.

It's not too late to make your voice heard!
This is one of the most important events of
the year and needs everyone to be there.

To sign the Petition
Francis Chester, attorney
PRO BONO Populi
(For the benefit of the people)
540.337.7270
3581 Churchville Ave.
Churchville, VA 24421

Paid for by the
Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments

Augusta tax revolt tea party ... three days to go

Churchville attorney Francis Chester is ready. Augusta Supervisor Tracy Pyles is ready. Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments is ready.

Wednesday is the night when the Augusta Board of Supervisors will meet. That is the night when thousands of signatures will be turned over to the Board. That is the night county residents and others from throughout the state are expected to show up to send a message to county officials.

No ... more ... taxes!

From the latest newsletter sent Sunday....

1) Time to turn in assessment petitions
Petitions should be returned this week with a March 9 deadline. We are busy counting signatures before turning in petitions to the Board of Supervisors at Wednesday's meeting. There are three ways to return petitions:

-- Mail to Francis Chester (address on petition).
-- Drop off at Francis Chester's law office (address on petition)
-- Let us know you need petitions picked up by responding to this email.

2) March 11, 2009 - Board of Supervisors Meeting
The petitions that are being circulated around Augusta County will be turned into the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday March 11, 2009, at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona. All are urged to attend. This will also be the opportunity for those who want to address the Board. Churchville attorney Francis Chester will turn in the petitions asking the board to turn back assessments to 2005 values.

3) Parking
It would help if parking closest to the door could be left for our elderly residents and the handicapped.

4) Seating
You may want to arrive early on March 11 for good seating and to sign up if you wish to address the board.

5) Petitions available
Petitions are still available asking the Board of Supervisors to roll back real estate assessments to 2004 levels:

-- Online: Here is the location of the online petition.
-- Hard copy: Contact us if you want an emailed petition

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

Counting petitions for Augusta tax assessment meeting

Kurt Michael and Jason Bibeau talk with Francis Chester while the barn kitty sleeps on the desk.
Francis Chester talks about Wednesday's meeting.

Churchville attorney Francis Chester met with members of Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments on Saturday to count petition signatures in preparation of Wednesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. While working in the office, folks stopped by to drop off petitions while other petitions came in the mail, and others were picked up earlier in the day from county businesses and citizens.

The showdown will be Wednesday at 7 pm at the Government Center on Rt. 11 in Verona. Click here for more information about Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments, to sign the petition, and for information about Wednesday's meeting.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
March 7, 2009

Wow! 70 degrees in the Valley

For the second day in a row we will have 70-degree temps in the Shenandoah Valley. Snow on Monday, 70 degrees on Friday -- must be March in Virginia.

I'm heading out to continue collecting petitions that have been available throughout Augusta County for residents to sign if they want supervisors to roll back real estate assessments to the 2005 values. During my travels, I have enjoyed talking with farmers and property owners and residents who are concerned that government is not listening to them.

Petitions will be turned in by Churchville attorney Francis Chester on Wednesday at the Board of Supervisors meeting at the Government Center in Verona.

Click here for more information about Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments, to sign the petition, and for information about Wednesday's meeting.

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

News Virginian's weekly "Three Up/Three Down" - Augusta's "Gang of Six"

The Waynesboro News Virginian's weekly THREE DOWN this week features the Augusta County real estate assessment battle between Supervisor Tracy Pyles and the GANG OF SIX -- the other supervisors on the Board:

THREE DOWN

Well, surprise, surprise, the Augusta County reassessment has been certified. It happened Friday, five days before the big showdown Wednesday between angry taxpayers and supervisors and three days earlier than officials told The News Virginian the event would take place. Pastures District Supervisor Tracy Pyles urged the GANG OF SIX, the other half-dozen supervisors, to delay certification until after Wednesday’s supervisors meeting. State law gave Augusta until March 31 to certify. So why the big rush? We’ll see Wednesday, when we expect the Gang to tell petitioners demanding a rollback to 2005 values that the deal’s done and hands are tied. That should go over well.

The News Virginian has covered this issue since it began last fall. The showdown will be Wednesday at the Government Center in Verona at 7 pm.

Click here for more information about Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments, to sign the petition, and for information about Wednesday's meeting.

Augusta County certifies reassessments

Augusta County went ahead and certified their real estate assessments on Friday, 25 days sooner than required and five days before the March 11 Board of Supervisors meeting that is shaping up to be a showdown between property owners and supervisors. The move angered some residents who questioned why the rush to certify.

The March 11 meeting at the Government Center in Verona will see Supervisor Tracy Pyles pitted against what the Waynesboro News Virginian has affectionately dubbed "The Gang of Six" -- the other six supervisors who have vowed to see the process through instead of working with Mr. Pyles in exploring other possibilities to relieve the tax burden on constituents.

Churchville attorney Francis Chester will address the board Wednesday to present thousands of signatures on petitions that have been circulated throughout the county since the end of January.

Local media who have covered the case since the beginning, including the organizational townhall meeting of Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments on February 3 when over 600 residents turned out to protest their assessments, will be there.

Farmers, landowners, blue collar, white collar ... all will be at the Government Center Wednesday night in what is shaping up to be a major tax revolt tea party in Augusta County.

Click here for more information about Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments, to sign the petition, and for information about Wednesday's meeting.

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

"Eighty-One" magazine looks at Augusta reassessment battle

Churchville resident Larry Ernst weighs in on the Augusta County real estate assessment battle in the March edition of Eighty-One Magazine. Writing in "Out of Control: Real power over local property assessments resides far away," Mr. Ernst provides insight from a personal point-of-view and offers some sage words of advice. He begins with his own experience:

I returned home, vexed, from my appointment with Augusta’s Board of Assessors. The young man representing Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal (BRMA) had been polite, listened to my appeal. At his side, a senior county resident added a local touch, an air of legitimacy. But the outcome of my appeal will be dictated by BRMA parameters, not market realities. The game is fixed. In March, the assessors will mail revised number crunches. Supervisors will then conduct a burlesque of due process, offering “hearings” to a still-irate but smaller number of victims. Form without substance: an exercise in futility.

Bemoaning the fact that local government is not "local" in many issues, he continued:

Today, the barriers to wielding influence over local matters are far higher than ever. Virginia officials have abdicated. Ginning up political pressure against them in a county the size of Augusta would require a full-scale campaign, with phone banks, printed flyers, ads in papers, mass meetings and mobs at the Government Center, bearing tar buckets and feathers. Supervisors would be intimidated by such a show. Class action litigation would also get their attention. Such drastic (albeit well-motivated) efforts would be popular. but futile. Remedy is urgently needed, but equity for taxpayers will not be thus achieved. The supervisors, those artful dodgers, are not the real culprits. The focus is wrong. The assessment problem, as horrendous as it is, is the tip of the iceberg.

True enough ... it's the tip of the iceberg ... but at least Supervisor Tracy Pyles, Churchville attorney Francis Chester, and Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments are all trying to do something by standing up for their fellow citizens and going up against the Government.

After giving background on how local power was taken away, Mr. Ernst added:

Locally, the market began to tank in 2007. Large tracts and homes wouldn’t sell, even at 2005 assessments. Instead of smelling the coffee and squelching higher 2009 assessments, Augusta County hired BRMA.... When the 2008 real estate implosion could no longer be ignored, contractor benchmarks were reduced for homes, but land revaluations were allowed to soar. 2009 assessment notices were delayed.

Now, property owners are being asked to stick their heads in the sand with the supervisors, pretend fair market values are higher, be thankful assessments aren’t more astronomical and accept the illusion of well-managed county government. Verona can’t look us in the eye, or itself in the mirror. It hopes to get blood out of a turnip or (Plan B) delay our trip to the poor house. It has shrugged off complaints, figuring eventually we’ll give up, go away and pay up. We’re in thrall to a regionalized Ponzi scheme.

Ending the article, Mr. Ernst offers words of advice to some of those involved in the battle:

As our influence over our lives decreases, as our independence diminishes, as the web of rules and regulations tightens around us, as we have our pockets picked at quadrennial intervals (extortion under color of law), our heritage, our prosperity and our constitutional freedoms have gradually, unnoticed, become things of the past.

Augusta taxpayers: Recognize that you have been regionalized and federalized.

Francis Chester: If you do litigate, include CSPDC and Federal Region 3 defendants in your suit.

Supervisors: The political reality is that you have been marginalized. However, you are the elected representatives of the people of Augusta County. They still look to you. Start being honest with them. Admit that none of us has the answer. But we can begin by looking to our County motto: Redeant In Aurum Secula Priscum. “Let us return to that first golden age,” to a good time, when we governed ourselves.

Petitions asking the Board of Supervisors to roll back assessment values to 2005 levels will be turned in at the supervisors meeting this Wednesday, March 11, at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona. All residents who are concerned about real estate assessments are encouraged to attend.

Click here for more information about Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments, to sign the petition, and information about Wednesday's meeting.

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

Augusta reassessment to be certified today

The Waynesboro News Virginian is reporting that Augusta County is moving forward with certifying real estate reassessment. As reported today:

The seven members of the Augusta County Board of Assessors are scheduled to sign and certify the Augusta County reassessment at 1 p.m. today, just five days before petitions calling for a rollback are to be presented to supervisors.

Next week’s supervisors meeting – expected to be a showdown between angry taxpayers and supervisors – did not affect the timing of certification, assessors board co-Chairman Walter Brown said Thursday.
...
The board of assessors, which was granted a certification extension, is required to sign the reassessment by March 31.

Supervisor Tracy Pyles said the board could have waited until after the public meeting.
“Obviously there was some effort to get it done before March 11, which I think is unfortunate when you have that many people wanting to be heard,” Pyles said. “I think this has been a very rushed bit of work … It’s just a hot potato that they’re flipping out of their hands … I hope there’s still some options available for us.”

Wednesday's Board of Supervisors meeting will see county residents concerned about their increased real estate assessments attending to speak out and be heard at a time when many are feeling disenfranchised by their elected representatives.

Click here for more information about Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments, to sign the petition, and information about Wednesday's meeting.

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

News Virginian editorial: "Supervisors, take a stand"

Augusta County real estate battle leading to tax revolt tea party

The Waynesboro News Virginian continues to follow the tax revolt issue in Augusta County as the days tick off the calendar leading to March 11's Board of Supevisors meeting. Residents have been urged to attend and support Churchville attorney Francis Chester as he turns in thousands of names on petitions. Feedback indicates a good turnout.

In "Supervisors, take a stand," the NV's editorial talks about Wayne supervisor Wendell Coleman who has been quoted as saying the county assessments will be a cakewalk compared to budget cuts. The NV's editorial today responded:

We aren’t buying it. Neither are Augusta taxpayers.

They are preparing for what Lynn Mitchell calls on her SWAC Girl blog a “tax revolt tea party” Wednesday at the supervisors meeting, during which Churchville lawyer Francis Chester plans to present petitions demanding a rollback of the reassessment to 2005. Property owners are predictably angry that values have increased by an average of more than a fourth. Supervisors like Coleman are unpredictably deaf to the cries of outrage.

Apart from the Gang of Six, a seventh supervisor, Tracy Pyles of the Pastures District, has been working feverishly to sift reason from thick obduracy, so far to no avail. He backs Chester’s call, but has been rebuffed by the Gang on legal grounds.

Read the entire editoral here.

The Board of Supervisors meeting is March 11 at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona. For more information or to sign the petition, go here.

Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!

LTE: County officials went after Francis Chester?

A letter to the editor in the March 3 Staunton News Leader:

While reading Feb 27 issue of The News Leader, I noticed a front page story about Francis Chester owing the county "more than $2,500 in taxes." I am still trying to put this story into perspective.

Will any other citizen who disagrees with the county be publicly humiliated or is this special treatment just for Mr. Chester?

Did (Augusta County Treasurer) Mr. Homes call the Leader to report this breathtaking news or did (reporter) Trevor Brown dig up this high impact dirt on his own?

Either way, someone needs a lesson on social ethics.

Read the rest of R.G. Howard's letter here.