Senior’s property assessment jumps 81 per cent

Dear Editor:

In June of 2006, I received notice that my proposed property assessment was in the amount of $94,200. Eight months later, in February of 2007, I was notified that my proposed property assessment was now $170,600 – an increase of 81 per cent.

I submitted an appeal before the February deadline and requested that someone from the assessment office visit me at my home. After four months and several phone calls I am still waiting.

I have communicated with my county councillor as well as my MLA. Both have been very sympathetic, but the bottom line is I should simply pay the bill, due the end of June, and see what happens of later.

There are several reasons offered to explain the sudden increase. All shorefront property has gone up in value. A sunroom has been added to my cottage-type home, and a small shed erected in the back yard. While aware these reasons are valid, they do not justify such a dramatic increase in my taxes. To have to pay this large sum of money will certainly cause duress, as I am a senior citizen with a single, fixed income.

To make things more interesting, in 2005 I received notice that my 2006 property assessment was $76,500. Shortly after that, I had a letter telling me about the CAP program. A program designed to protect citizens from sudden and dramatic increases in their taxes – and of course I applied. I was subsequently advised that my property was not eligible for a CAP.

But hey, guess what? Now that I’m assessed at $170,000, now I qualify for the CAP program. Is this supposed to make me feel everything is all better? Well, it doesn’t help much.

Marilyn Jones,

Cottage Cove