LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reader questions fairness of Rochester reassessments
The reassessment of the home my wife and I have lived in for more than 40 years illustrates the unfairness of the city’s reassessment process.
When I spoke on the telephone to someone from the assessor’s office, he told me that our home was assessed at $162,000 based on comparing it to recent sales on streets a few blocks from our home.
He did not mention a smaller house less than a block from our home, which sold last September for $110,000 in a sale not yet noted on the city’s recent sale web page.
Doing some comparison research, it would appear our home should not be assessed at more than $85,000.
The unfairness of the reassessment process is shown by the fact that our reassessment was based on homes in the general area rather than the one that is less than a block from ours.
The unfairness is further demonstrated by the fact that the city’s recent sale web page is obviously not up to date.
Melvin Cole, Rochester
Minister opposes a death sentence for Buffalo Tops shooter
An urgent call to conscience has been issued with the execution of Kenneth Smith, which took place recently in Alabama.
Smith was convicted in 1988 of the death of a minister’s wife, who had paid Smith and another person for the killing to obtain insurance money.
A jury voted 11-1 to sentence Smith to life imprisonment, but a trial judge overruled the jury and ordered the death sentence.
After Smith’s death, the state’s attorney general called it a “textbook execution.” The Rev. Jeff Hood, who was present for the execution, reported that prison officials appeared “visibly surprised at how bad this thing went.”
Federal prosecutors have opted to seek the death penalty for Peyton Gendron, the gunman responsible for the Tops Market killings in Buffalo two years ago. Gendron is serving a life sentence without parole. ‘
Hopefully, pressure can be exerted on those who make life and death decisions to refrain from another execution.
The Rev. Kevin McKenna, Rochester
Reader advises disputing big boosts in property assessments
Many people have recently received their 2024 tax assessment updates. Ouch!
The Town of Ogden has raised tax assessments, in some cases more than 50 percent.
Call or write or text your town supervisor, tax assessor or town clerk about these huge jumps in assessments.
Speak up. Attend you Grievance Day. Do your research and save money.
My assessment is set to go up 58%. I have not received a 58% pay raise.
Mark Voelkl, Rochester
Wrong time to raise property assessments, reader says
I personally think our elected officials don’t live or work like most of us do. Or maybe they simply don’t care in regards to raising property assessments.
Many people are having a difficult time with the cost of everything in raising a family.
I think it was the wrong time to raise property assessments. People do not need this added expense.
John DiProjetto, Rochester