I championed the runoff fee. It made sense to me that the tax burden would also be shared by the tax-exempt properties such as Bates College, etc. However, the additional proposed tax increase of 10.9 percent floored me!

The samples of properties featured in the newspaper were impressive, but unrealistic. Why did City Assessor Joseph Grube go back 10 years, before the Homestead Act came into play? Do city officials really believe that residents are not smart enough to see through that smoke screen?

We could lose the Homestead Exemption in the future, then what?

The land valuation was updated in 2003, and the real estate valuation is due to be updated in the near future.

What I visualize for the future is a revaluation of properties, an increase in the mill rate, and increase in the runoff fee and a possible loss of the Homestead Exemption.

Whoopee! Have a nice ride.

Jennie Peters, Lewiston