To the Editor:
    Yes, my gripe is with the Madison Group, City Hall that is. I'm sure you've heard of the tax abatement to preserve forest land for the next 15 years. Here at Riverwalk, there are 75 five-plus acre forest parcels where owners are only using approximately two acres of each parcel. We as owners collectively have over 200 acres to offer in forest preservation. Mr. Anglin, the Tax Assessor, won't consider Riverwalk. Yet the bill clearly establishes allowing neighbors to join their properties collectively for forest preservation and tax abatement.
    Riverwalk is highly overrated in property and home values stemming from the "bubble" where banks, real estate concerns, appraisers and the like all overvalued these homes for whatever reasons. Today Mr. Anglin wants to maintain these overrated values and exploit Riverwalk owners with the same property tax that was assessed during the "bubble." I'm sure you're aware of Mr. Anglin's statement several weeks ago where he claims values haven't changed in Morgan County.
    Seems to me the Madison Group wants to maintain the status quo in order to continue with the expansion and beautification of Madison, by exploiting Morgan taxpayers to foot the bill. Madison needs to tighten its belt instead of overcharging Morgan residents with improper tax assessments and evaluations.
John Sarti
Riverwalk in Bishop
Via e-mail

PRINTED IN THE APRIL 9, 2009 EDITION