Letters to the Editor Setting The Record Straight To the Editor: As one of the "shadowy figures" referred to in John Branston's recent "tax drama" article (August 12th issue), I'd like to address the issues concerning the Assessor's Office. First, the 221 appeals filed by County Trustee Bob Patterson were based on a list purchased from Chandler Reports, Inc. When I learned that this information was costing county taxpayers $300,000, I pointed out to Mr. Patterson and the County Commission that this was public information readily available from our office at no cost. In response, Patterson said that since he had already promised Chandler a fee and the work had been done, he felt they were owed $100,000 and submitted a resolution to that effect. Chandler's report only included sales price, deed, and permit information. It did not provide appraisal analyses or comparables of similar properties. Branston's article quoted Chandler's spokesperson as saying the properties on their list represented a loss of $4 million in tax revenue. This is not true. Our system identifies these properties as multiples (i.e. several parcels included on one deed), quit claim deeds, late sales that we could not legally consider, or ones that had been successfully appealed by the owner and reduced by the Board of Equalization. Clark Tower, which was specifically mentioned in the article, fell into the late sales category. Further, we did not miss the 20 parcels Chandler listed as omitted from the tax roll. Our research found these parcels to be assessed under new parcel numbers due to property reconfiguration, or were properties classified as exempt by the state. For those who believe sales should be the only factor for appraisal values, our sales verification department must follow a state-mandated procedure, which disqualifies many sales for reasons such as transactions between family members or business partners, partial interest sales, estate sales, and right-of-way sales, etc. When all factors involved in a reappraisal are considered, one can quickly see that the Assessor cannot automatically force ad valorem tax appraisals based solely on recent sales, as the Trustee and Chandler suggested. This would violate the constitutional rights of the purchasers, according to a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Our 1998 reappraisal for Shelby County had a sales ratio of 100 percent. This means that the overall ratio of appraisal to sales was 100 percent, and that statistically, our values are accurate. The Assessor's Office has obligations to property owners individually as well as collectively. Governed by the Tennessee Code Annotated and the Tennessee Division of Property Assessments, we work very closely with the division to ensure a fair and stable tax base for Shelby County. We also provide regular reports to the Shelby County Commission, other county officials, taxing authorities, and the municipalities. When we openly exchange ideas and opinions, it makes life easier for all of us. My goal is and always has been to provide fair appraisals for all property and to inform the citizens of their rights and responsibilities as afforded by the state. Rita Clark Shelby County Assessor Lessons From Putt To the Editor: Thank you for the article on George Howard Putt, "A City in Fear." I don't often think about that time in my life, but this article reminded me of how life in Memphis has changed in my lifetime. I was entering high school when the murders occurred. The article brought back a flood of memories and feelings of that time which have implications on my life today. I'd like to relate three major changes that occurred because of Putt. My innocent view of life changed, my feeling of safety in my own city was shaken, and my view of America was changed. Prior to the news of Mr. Putt's first murder, I thought the worst thing in the world was John F. Kennedy's assassination. All of a sudden, I realized that horror existed in my hometown. Every adult I came in contact with spoke of nothing but the brutal murders. I remember both a giddy sense of excitement when looking at anyone in public and wondering, "could that be the guy?" as well as going to bed at night wondering if I would be the next victim. I had several bad dreams of being chased by a man with a bloody knife. For the first time that I can remember, everyone became suspect. My naive view of the world was shattered. I remember thinking that I lived in a safe, clean city. All of a sudden, the radio stations even gave regular warnings that if you were in a car, "be sure to lock the doors." That was a new concept for me. TV, radio, and newspaper stories were bringing the feelings to a feverish pitch after the third murder. The city of Memphis was no longer a safe place to live. When I began hearing the comparisons to the Boston Strangler, I realized that the feelings I was experiencing were bigger than Memphis itself. This "serial murderer" was not limited to Memphis, but an extension of what was happening in America. I admit that it was a feeling of great relief when Putt was apprehended, but a lingering feeling remained; when will this happen again? Putt is the man who initiated my behavior of locking the car when I drive, locking my door when in my house, staying alert when walking on the street, and being cautious of new acquaintances. I feel sad that five people had to die to heighten my awareness of how to survive in American society. At least I have the belief that Putt will rot in hell for what he did . Barry Sullivan e-mail (Memphis) A Memphis Role Model To the Editor: I think Memphis needs to fall in love with the Scherer family. Your cover story "In the Name of the Father" (September 2nd issue) made me feel about 10 feet tall just like three years ago when the Tigers under Coach Rip Scherer assumed the role of David in the Liberty Bowl and humbled the Goliaths from Knoxville. Memphis has a fine role model (especially for the team at the University of Memphis) in Coach Scherer and his son Scott. In these days of absentee fathers and single moms, to find such a close father-son relationship is a strong breath of fresh air. Loyalty is more vital, in the long run, than any year's won-loss record. Go Tigers! Phillip Stephenson e-mail (Memphis) To Label Is To Limit To the Editor: To borrow from the local daily newspaper: You're so Memphis when the Flyer ad proudly proclaiming your church's "New Top 10 Reasons to Visit" includes "Labels are something we sew on clothes – not put on each other," but two other reasons include references to "feminists" and "fundamentalists." Herbert E. "Sandy" Kook, Jr. Germantown Justice? To the Editor: In "25 Years Later" (Viewpoint, August 12th issue), Paula Casey wrote: "Ironically, Nixon ran on a 'law and order' platform." Richard M. Nixon was not the first to run on a "law and order" platform. And he will not be the last! Anyone with common sense knows that "law and order" applied to all segments of society is a must for survival. But what about justice? Without justice, there can be no law! Without justice, there can be no order! To leave out the concept of justice is to make a mockery of "law and order" and all that it is supposed to symbolize. What has happened to justice? Does anyone know? Arthur H. Prince Memphis The Missing Tapes? To the Editor: I believe Nixon's tapes were available to help force his resignation because of his ego, over-confidence, and arrogance; he probably thought he was untouchable (Viewpoint, August 12th issue). In view of Clinton's affairs and China scandal, I wonder if any tapes will ever be available for future generations to hear, or will they show up 20 years from today with Bill and Hillary's fingerprints or DNA on them. If they exist, I doubt they will ever be found. Parks E. Duffee Memphis Radio and Wrestling To the Editor: The firing of Joy Christie (Media, September 2nd issue) reeks of the staged animosity portrayed in the pro wrestling world that she would always extol. This act was surely nothing more than a ratings ploy to bring attention to the station (and the show). KISS-FM's pusillanimous format obviously caters to an audience seeking a strong female personality. JC proved that she could be just as distasteful, obnoxious, and redneck as any male deejay. She seems to synergize with a "tell it like it is" morning show. Once KISS has milked this controversy for all its worth, she will be back on the air faster than a Jerry Lawler fireball to an opponent's face. Steve Morris e-mail (Cordova) How Much Blood? To the Editor: August 24th was the first anniversary of Father Fred Sauer entering a federal prison for ruining some curtains in a church while suffering from great stress and from several severe psychiatric illnesses. During this past year he has been placed in solitary confinement, once for refusing to lie for the guards and once for hearing a dying man's confession. He was made to suffer from a high fever for a week without so much as a tablet of Tylenol and was denied his antidepressant for several months while an unlicensed "physician" toyed with an inferior medication no longer used by psychiatrists for depression. He has been denied attendance at his father's funeral, repeatedly strip-searched, humiliated, depersonalized, and placed in the company of drug dealers and murderers. Father Sauer was sentenced to 33 months of incarceration. He has already spent 23 months incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital and now another 12 in a hell hole. How much more blood does society want for those curtains? Angela M. Schulz, MD Memphis Wrong Way to The Oasis To the Editor: Re: The Oasis on Echles (September 2nd issue) Louisa Koepple wrote: " I suggest going south on Highland, east on Spottswood and north on Echles (about 3 or 4blocks) " Following these directions would put you right in the middle of the U of M campus, say between the University Center and the new parking garage ! Whereas, if you went south from Spottswood, 3 or 4 blocks down you would find the Morocco Cafe. Better still, driving south on Highland to Douglass, then turning left, you run right into the front door of the Morocco Cafe. Bill E. Burk e-mail (Memphis) The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to: Letters to the Editor, POB 687, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-9405. Or send us e-mail at letters@memphisflyer.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.