While legal, increased assessments not right

I am absolutely amazed. I cannot believe that the letter I opened from the county assessor's office recently is "the way it is." I completely understand that it is legal but I am blown away that anyone — anyone — thinks this is fair. How can we, in this tiny town, this little county and small state, actually govern ourselves this way?

Everyone I know is shocked and angry about their property assessment this year. Many were just reassessed last year and are seeing a more than 200-percent increase in just one year. How hard is it to see that the people who just live here are actually not going to be able to afford to much long? Then who will own our properties, live in our town and be on the city council? Traditionally, our neighbors, friends and family have been the ones we have elected to our local governing offices, so who is utilizing the legal ability to launch this assessment as high as possible?

And when the normal regular family cannot afford to live here any more than what kind of town will be left and how can that really be what these people want? Who made the decision to go to this extent and why? I really want to know.

Just because you can do it legally, is it the right thing to do?

KIM BOND

Sagle