Question for the next Assessor

Since it's obvious that current Porter County Assessor John Scott is done, having totally messed up the 2008 assessments to the point that the state had to finish them ... and now spending tax dollars to appeal an assessment against Mittal Steel which was completed by the state.

Here's the Times article where Scott kinda cops an attitude and suggests 'all' property values are going up. That statement alone shows his incompetence, when property values nationwide, and here locally went down in 2008, and were at best leveled off in 2009. And to hire an out of county attorney to attempt to fleece the steel company ... say no more. Let's just be glad they are still here, they could go somewhere else for lower labor costs and a whole lot less headaches on personal and real property taxes.

The legislature is trying to give the county council more teeth to keep the Assessor and Auditor and Treasurer accountable, and I would predict there will be more moves in this direction in this session. Watch for proposals to merge the three jobs, to allow removal from office by vote of council and commissioners, or other hybrids.

So my Question for the next Porter County Assessor: What will you do to re-establish trust in your office? Will you agree to vote in favor of merging your job with the Auditor and Treasurers jobs? Do you see it as your job to fleece big business for as much money as possible ... or to value all property at true market value and stay out of tax policy?

Love to get some responses from those wanting this job in 2010.