5 township assessors join county work force

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BY BILL DOLAN
bdolan@nwitimes.com
219.662.5328 | Tuesday, July 01, 2008 | (28 comment(s))

CROWN POINT | The offices of five Lake County township assessors, who once issued sovereign judgments on south Lake County property taxes, are set to become ordinary county government outposts today.

The public will hardly notice the transformation.

The Indiana General Assembly earlier this year passed a government consolidation law that takes effect today, handing over to county assessors the duties of 965 township assessors statewide.

Eagle Creek, Cedar Creek, West Creek, Hanover and Winfield township offices will remain open, and the staffs there will remain on the job.

"As of right now, we sit tight," Cedar Creek Township Deputy Assessor Jolie Covaciu said Monday. "Taxpayers can call at our office in Lowell. We will still help them exactly the way we always did. There are no staff reductions. If you count the assessor -- who is now an employee -- we have four. Nothing but some of our duties have changed."

Hanover Township Assessor Carl Spiechert said Monday, "This is my last day. They asked me to fill out a form to stay, but I didn't want to."

Previously, the five township assessors prescribed values for property for taxing purposes.

John Curley, who was Winfield Township trustee and assessor until Monday, will lose that job today.

He said his three-member staff will continue to fill out paperwork and forms and he will continue to give advice.

"But instead of my signing off on it, they will submit that to the county, and the county will sign off," Curley said.

In Lake County, Curley, Rick Niemeyer in West Creek Township and James Morrow in Eagle Creek Township will retain their authority as township trustees to oversee fire protection, poor relief and other social services.

Legislators have said the ousted township officials will be paid at least until year's end.

Sherry Stone, an assistant to Lake County Assessor Paul Karras, said the county might consolidate some offices in the most rural townships at some later point, but no layoffs are planned.

Niemeyer said he plans to stay on.

"I will ... do what they want me to do until the end of the year, or until they tell me not to. I feel like I'm still working for the people and will stay on in that capacity."

But Niemeyer said he is angered by the change.

"I'm mad as hell at the General Assembly that they took out the five southern townships and let the other six have a referendum," Niemeyer said. "Talk about discrimination."

Voters will be asked Nov. 4 whether they want to abolish the Calumet, Center, Hobart, Ross, North and St. John township assessor positions.

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Ellen wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:57 PM:

" People...Karras is part of the problem! "

Business as usual wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:53 PM:

" The Democratic machine will certainly not take this opportunity the Governor has dropped in their laps. The opportunity to save a great deal of money by streamlining this operation. "

Moving wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:50 PM:

" you people need to realize...these local government employees don't care about you...they don't care about your concerns....and they certainly don't care about providing even marginally good service. "

Get the word out wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:38 PM:

" Vote these hacks into oblivion!!! "

Same ole same ole wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:37 PM:

" There are some very good points being made here but it is typical Lake County Politics....don't do anything until you are forced to....and then mess it up so horribly that you miss a good opportunity to fix things. "

Concerned Taxpayer wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:35 PM:

" Larry makes an excellent point. With all of the complaints against the township employees one would think there is some credibility regarding general incompetence. Why not take this opportunity to become more efficient. Do an assessment of each employee to determine if he/she is qualified for the position. Very simple! It would be nice to hear Mr Karras' response to such an idea. He certainly cannot be for inefficiency. "

Steve wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:46 AM:

" At such a monumental time you would think Paul G. Karras would have a comment or two regarding the situation. "

Larry wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:45 AM:

" No layoffs! Are you kidding me! We have been given the golden opportunity to get rid of some dead weight! "

Sandra wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:08 AM:

" Common November. "

WHAT wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:07 AM:

" "Sherry Stone, an assistant to Lake County Assessor Paul Karras, said the county might consolidate some offices in the most rural townships at some later point, but no layoffs are planned".
HOW ON EARTH CAN NO LAYOFFS BE PLANNED? YOU SEEMED TO BE MISSING THE WHOLE POINT HERE. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE SOME MONEY! "

Jose wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:05 AM:

" Good, now why I have an issue with my tax bill I can go straight to the county and they won't be able to force me to start with my local assessor, who will just give me the run-around "

Sammie wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Goodbye!!!!! Don't let the door hit you.... "

Cry Me a River wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:02 AM:

" I wonder how many people, especially elderly folks, have lost their homes or went without food or medicine to pay their erroneous property tax bills. The Local Assessors I have dealt with could NOT have be any LESS helpful. It is a complicated process that must seemed insurmountable to most. God knows there records are error-filled and widespread. While these people lay their heads down at night worrying about their government jobs and what mught come of them, I hope they think about what "service" they have provide to the citizens. "

TOWillie wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:57 AM:

" I have had a similar experience. I wonder how many others have endured our misery? "

Gary Resident wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:55 AM:

" I have spoken with county employees that make comments and shake their heads in reference to the Calumet Townships Assessors Office. The county level people know the problems that exist but Mr Karras certainly doesn't care enough to step in and make things right!!!! "

TOGet out the word wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:53 AM:

" I could not agree more. While educating myself while in their "great" appeals process I realized how many errors and inconsistencies there are with properties just with a block of me. I have never seen such horrid work in all my days. "

Angry Taxpayer wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:53 PM:

" After the election, Mr Karras will be directly responsible for the incomptent employees of the north and calumet township assessors offices. He will have no more excuses and will have to deal with individuals who have mistreated citizens or it will be his butt on the blocks. "

Willie wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:50 PM:

" These local assessors have no one to blame but themselves. I have gone through the appeals process twice and can attribute both unfortunate incidents to lack of knowledge, carelessness, and lack of work ethic on behalf of the individuals at the Calumet Township Assessors Office. "

kathy wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:20 PM:

" I'm with Joyce -- November can't get here soon enough.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO REGISTER -- AND VOTE!!! "

Curious wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:18 PM:

" Does Mr. Niemeyer want to reduce the size of government or keep it the same? Township Trustees should also be eliminated. Who uses them anyway? "

Mike wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:10 PM:

" I will vote to get rid of the extra layer of government. "

Jill wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:37 AM:

" Good riddens!!! "

Joyce wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:36 AM:

" November cannot get here fast enough!!!! "

Tired wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:29 AM:

" I, unfortunately live in Calumet Township. Even if they keep the same useless employess, the County will no longer be able to excuse their mistreatment of citizens by taking no responsibility for their actions. I would imagine some of the dead weight will eventually be forced out!!!!! "

Ron wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:26 AM:

" An extra layer of government that badly needed to go! "

Steve wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:25 AM:

" Now lets get rid of the rest! The Calumet Townhip Assessors Office is the epitamy of the most useless of government agencies. They create more work than they accomplish. "

Hmmm wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:15 AM:

" So do these now former township assessors continue collecting their former stipulated salary until the end of this year, plus their wages in their new positions? "

Get out the word wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:35 AM:

" PLEASE tell everyone you know to get out and vote on Nov 4 to close the township assessors offices - it is a shame the General Asswmbly didn't ax them all - I can tell you the Calumet Townships Assessors Office is the absolute worst gov office I have ever dealt with - lets throw them to the curb - the County Assessors office is extremely profeesional and I believe much better at handling Assessment issues. "

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