Bay News 9 Story

Candidates aim for Pinellas Property Appraiser's Office

Sunday, June 29, 2008

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office has been immersed in scandal, but three candidates are looking to take the helm next year and make changes.

(Read the full story HERE)

Watch the video HERE

SIGNS ARE HERE!!!

In response to numerous requests, Frank Gregoire for County Property Appraiser Campaign Sings are here!!

We have large format signs, approximately 48" x 30" for busy streets and high visibility locations. There are also several hundred smaller yard signs available for you, your friends, neighbors and family. Call or email the Campaign to arrange to have signs delivered or to pick up a few.

We need your help to find good locations for the large format signs. Permission from the property owner is essential. Let us know the owner's name, sign location and a contact number, if possible. The Campaign will take care of installation of large format signs, but we can always use volunteers.

Land Deal Clouds County Election

Jim Smith land deal clouds county election

by Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
In print: Saturday, June 21, 2008

When the Jim Smith land deal exploded into view last summer, conventional wisdom was that the scandal would overshadow Pinellas County's 2008 elections.

But on Friday, as qualification for the ballot closed, just two candidates linked to the controversy remain: County Commissioner Karen Seel and property appraiser candidate Pam Dubov, who worked for Smith..........

.......Dubov, who has never answered questions before about the Smith deal, did so for the first time Friday, a day after she resigned her post as deputy property appraiser in Smith's office to campaign.

Dubov said she warned Smith the public would look askance at the difference between the appraised value and the sales price.

In the Aug. 26 primary her opponent is Frank Gregoire. A private appraiser for 30 years, Gregoire, 55, said Dubov should have gone public with her feelings about Smith's decision to cut a deal with the county.

.....full story here
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This has everything to do with ethics, integrity and public trust. Voters and Taxpayers in Pinellas County deserve better than an individual with the "integrity" to disclose their views only "a day after she resigned her post as deputy property appraiser in Smith's office to campaign."

Pinellas County deserves a Property Appraiser that believes "in government or business, ethics and integrity are a full time job from which there can be no vacation."

Frank Gregoire for County Property Appraiser Signs

Campaign signs were ordered yesterday. We will be placing large format signs and distributing yard signs starting Thursday of next week (June 26th).

vote4frank.org

IT'S OFFICIAL!

Today, June 18, 2008, Frank Gregoire qualified to have his name on the ballot for Pinellas county Property Appraiser.

You may use this LINK to take a look at the official page.



Watch this space for upcoming news about signs, fundraising receptions and appearances. In the meantime, you can help by talking with property owners and arranging for sign locations in high traffic areas. We have several, but need many more, particularly north of Ulmerton Road.


Thanks for all your help.

Governor Crist Signs - CS/HB 909 - Ad Valorem Taxation

Today, Governor Crist signed into law CS/HB 909 - Ad Valorem Taxation. This bill, sponsored by the Government Efficiency & Accountability Council and Representative Peter Nehr, adds clarification to the definition of Highest and Best Use, one of the eight criteria to be considered by County Property Appraisers in arriving at "Just Valuation". Representatives Jim Frishe and Ed Hooper, both of Pinellas County, co-sponsored this bill.

The legislation also requires important and much needed changes to the composition and conduct of Value Adjustment Boards.

The clarification to Highest and Best Use include requirements that the County Property Appraiser take into consideration the legally permissible use of the property, including any applicable judicial limitation, local or state land use regulation, or historic preservation ordinance, and any zoning changes, concurrency requirements, and permits necessary to achieve the highest and best use.

Both the clarification to Highest and Best Use and the change in the composition and conduct of the Value Adjustment Boards are important victories for Florida Taxpayers.

Congratulations!

Valuation Professionals Fundraiser

Just a quick post to show my appreciation to Joni Herndon, SRA, Henry Entreken, MAI, H. Linwood Gilbert, MAI and Dan K. Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP for their hosting and the success of last night's reception.

It was an honor to have such distinguished and well respected appraisers host the reception and humbling to for the elite of Tampa Bay Valuation Professionals to express their support with their attendance and contributions.

Thanks to you all!

Here's a couple photos.

From the Trail

June 11, 2008 Fundraising Reception

The message below was sent to several hundred appraisers in the Tampa Bay Area last week. Keep in mind, the reception is open to all. Please RSVP if you plan to attend

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We are fortunate that a true professional, Frank Gregoire, has agreed to run for the position of Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

Frank is a 50 year resident of Pinellas County and has been an appraiser for over 30 years. Frank has a national reputation as being completely honest, an energetic volunteer and a tireless advocate for the public interest.

In eight years of service on the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, Frank was elected and served as Chairman four times. He helped coordination between state and federal agencies, helped rewrite Florida statues and helped ensure that Florida’s education and testing requirements for appraisers safeguarded the public. It is vital that our new Property Appraiser be able to help rewrite the complex new tax regulations, following the direction of the legislature and the public, and lead the office in a new direction.

Frank knows the values and the ups and downs of the real estate market in Pinellas County like few others. While the administration of the office is generally satisfactory, it is vital to have a leader who truly understands the laws and economics affecting real estate.

Please join us at an afternoon reception in honor of Frank Gregoire.

Henry C. Entreken, Jr., MAI
Joni L. Herndon, SRA
Dan K. Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP
H. Linwood Gilbert, Jr., MAI

Afternoon Fundraising Reception for
Frank Gregoire, IFA, RAA
For
County Property Appraiser

Date: June 11, 2008

Time: 5:30 to 7:00 PM

Location: Bascom’s Chop House
3655 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater
Click HERE for Map

Cost: Cash Bar

Campaign Donations: Always Welcome!
Click HERE to Contribute Online

RSVP:

Respond via email to linwood@urbanrealtysolutions.com or call 727-410-7065

Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Frank Gregoire, Republican, for Property Appraiser

Someone ought to tell tax man that housing boom's over

A column from Friday's St. Petersburg Times:

By James Thorner

Times Staff Writer

In print: Friday, June 6, 2008

When home sales were blazing three years ago, property values soared on the blast of hot air. These days, with sales as cool as Dick Cheney at an Osama bin Laden rally, values are thunking back to earth.

Unless you're Juan Lopez, resident of St. Petersburg's Allendale Terrace neighborhood.
At the height of the housing boom in December 2005, Lopez and his wife, Joyce, paid $250,000 for a rough-around-the-edges 904-square-foot house near 36th Avenue N and Seventh Street. It was built in 1941 and suffered from renter's rot. A new appraisal values the home at $237,000.

Try telling that to Pinellas County. The property appraiser's office values the house at nearly $300,000 and taxed the Lopezes $5,600. Here's the twist: The county admits his house is nearly worthless, but claims his land alone would sell for $300,000.

Full Article

The article does not tell the entire story. The Just Value of the Lopez property increased by 32.75% between 2006 and 2007. What is interesting is the increase in Just Value for the residence to west was just 26.17% and the residence to the east increased by only 12.33%!

Three residences, all on the same block, all built between 1940 and 1941, each of wood frame construction and between 904 and 987 sq.ft. of base area. How is it that the rate of appreciation (there was appreciation between 2006 and 2007?) ranges from 12.33% to 32.75%.

It's clear that the time in NOW to elect a Professional as Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

vote4frank.org