Seniors tear strip off property assessors

Municipal Property Assessment Corp. (MPAC) faced a firestorm of anger this afternoon from local seniors concerned about their property taxes.

The 40 citizens attending the meeting appeared to be unanimously concerned about the failure of MPAC officials to adequately explain why their property assessments are rising.

Multi-resident homes have been hit by an average of about nine percent.

"We're not working on commission," said Joanne West (shown in background), a representative for MPAC.

West said that very few appeals are made of MPAC assessments.

More than 800 appeals were made last year in Sault Ste. Marie.

Homeowners can request a reconsideration on their assessment by December 31. There is no charge for this service.

If a formal appeal is needed, homeowners have until March 31.

Evidence for the appeal is needed and a hearing will be scheduled.

Futher information can be found at www.mpac.ca

There will be another public meeting tonight with the MPAC representatives, from 7-9 p.m. in the Russ Ramsay boardroom at the Civic Centre.

Some residents complained about the lack of advertising for today's public meetings.

"We couldn't get it in, in time," replied Mayor John Rowswell.