Assessor-elect Jerry Clemons wants to correct the gross inequities existing with Bonner County property assessments.

On his own time and without pay, he has met with state tax commissioners, other assessors, county commissioners and Realtors.

Jerry has a big job ahead and wants a smooth transition to assessor. He realizes as an elected official he is a public servant and has the best interests of the public as his first priority.

It is outrageous that Judie Conlan is denying him current interviews with her staff because these meetings would be "unsettling and disturbing to many of the assessor's office employees."

Apparently Judie has forgotten that she is a public servant, that a large portion of the property-owning public is greatly unsettled and disturbed by current erroneous property assessments. A superior's concern for and loyalty to subordinates is an admirable quality, however, her first priority should be concern and loyalty to the public property owners as mandated by her office.

Former president Harry Truman said "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen." Perhaps these poor "unsettled and disturbed" assessor employees should do just that and consider less unsettling and disturbing employment.

It is good to see Bonner County Commissioner Joe Young supporting Jerry. Joe surely realizes that the commissioners ill thought out 2005 assessment rollback order created far greater erroneous property assessments by the state than did Judie's previous methods. Perhaps the commissioners could now order Judie to allow these interviews as they ordered her to do the 2005 rollbacks.

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla