Blair County property owners protest reassessment values

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Property owners held a protest in front of the Blair County Courthouse to send a message to county leaders to postpone certification of property tax values, which were reassessed earlier this year.

A group called Blair County Citizens for Accurate Reassessment organized the protest. One of the organizers, Richard Latker, said: "We want to give the commissioners an opportunity to postpone certification pending an independent review of the process, and we want to make sure that the process is rendered fair, transparent and accurate."

If county leaders do not postpone the certification, Latker said the organization plans to seek legal action.

The chief assessor, DeAnna Heichel, said she did not know what to tell those property owners because the county will certify the new numbers on Friday.

"Right now, things are not right. There are thousands of people who are facing real financial hardship because of this. There are hundreds of people who may actually lose their homes," Latker said.

Property owners have complained since the reassessment findings were first released in July that the values are inaccurate, and that some properties were valued at much more than they are worth.

"My taxes went from $3,000 to $20,000," William Replege, who owns a farm, said.

David Ross said his taxes were increased by over 600 percent-- something he claims he cannot afford.

Ross said he does not see a reason for the increase, saying "Last time I looked, I didn't have any oil wells or gold mines in my backyard."

Ed Figart spoke at the protest on behalf of New Hope Baptist Church. He said the church has never been required to pay taxes before because it is exempt by state law.

Figart said reassessment deemed some large parts of their property "unnecessary," and therefore taxable.

He said the church uses its money for ministry, including disaster relief projects.

"Our church does not do fundraisers. We don't go out and ask people for money. If we come to your home to do something because you can't afford it, we don't ask you for money," he said.

Since New Hope is a church, it does not take in an annual profit, and the money it uses is donated.

"This is not right. The churches in this area do a lot for people and we can use that money a whole lot better than they can," he said.

Evaluator Services and Technology conducted the reassessment, and protesters questioned their honesty and competence.

According to EST's website, the company's first listed objective is fair and quality assessment.

Blair County properties had not been reassessed since 1958.

Heichel recommended that property owners who have trouble paying their new taxes should file an appeal, which can be done in January.

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