Shame on you, Jerry Clemons

Jerry Clemons calling for raising tax assessments on agricultural land is absurd. His saying soil type is affecting land valuation — the soil type has not changed forever. It has not improved to justify an increase in any value.

Crop prices are not making the land more valuable. Grass hay is the crop. It always has been. The only reason the price received on hay has gone up is that the production costs have increased. What has changed is the decrease in tax revenue collected due to the number of foreclosures.

Sounds like the county is trying to find ways to get revenue to cover shortfalls like the bill on the courthouse.

The Federal Building was remodeled to accommodate county officials. County government has continued to function with some juggling. The county should have sold the courthouse and used the money for something needed.

The county needs to tighten its belt like the rest of us have to.

We know the country is worse off than in 2007-2008. Land values have not gone up.

GINNY DEANE

Sandpoint