Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-05-03
ASSESSOR WILLIAM E. F0RCUM
REPLIES TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT
ASSESSMENTS IN WILDWOOD
Declares that he is responsible to 10 one in municipality for his decisions and n oneh here
has legal right to give MIN instructions Works under rulings of State and
County Boards of Taxation
COMMISSIONERS STATEMENT
COMMENT OF COMMISSION

There are some property owners
who wonder why their property valu-
ations are higher this year than last
year. The answer to the question is
this: The State Board of Taxation
sent a communication TO the local as
SCISSOR that properties in this locality
were to be assessed at 100 per cent of
their valuation. This notice was sent
to every assessor in the State of New
Jersey and the assessor is supposed
to comply with this ruling or suffer
the consequences should he fail to full
fill his oath of office.
The assessor is appointed by the
Commissioners. However, the present
assessor, William E. Forcum, was ap-
pointed prior to the present Commits
sioners taking Office and he is doing
his duty according to the ruling of the
state. The Commissioners, however,
asked him to go over with them the
valuations that he placed on proper
ties prior to his handing in his report.
This he did not do, as he felt his in
structions came from the state and
not from the local authorities. The
Commissioners who have signed this
article are not in favor of assessing
properties to their full valuation,
knowing in other sections of the state
they do not do it, and because they see
no reason why a large portion of the
revenue derived should go to the
county and state. However, the as
sessments are made and if anyone
feels that they have been unjustly as
sessed they have an appeal to the
County Board Of Taxation. The ap-
peals have to be filed a stated period
prior to the meeting of the County
Board and those desiring direct infor-
nation can get it by applying to Mil
lard F. Campbell, Collector of Taxes,
or to Ed. Rice, Tuckahoe, Clerk of the
County Board of Taxation.
While the Commissioners are will
ling to take criticism when it is just,
they do not feel that the procedure
is well enough known to the average
property owner that the assessments
are ruled and authorized by the State
and County Board and not by the
Commissioners, and anyone giving out
information contrary to this is stating
an untruth. However, where proper
ties were increased in valuation the
property could not be duplicated in
many instances at the present price
of construction, and we believe that
in practically every instance the prop
erty owner would not accept an offer
at the same price that he is assessed,
for the best way to answer this ques-
ton is, What are you assessed at and
what would you sell for?" Figure the
difference in assessment and what you
would sell for and hen say whether
or not your assessment is just or UNI
just. If in any instance where assess
ments are enormously made or I'M
justly made, the Commissioners rec
ommend that you take it up with the
County Board of Taxation The City
Commissioners recommend such pro-
cedure.
CITY COMMISSIONERS,
w. COPYRIGHT Smith, Mayor,
Ralph l.. CARL, Commissioner Of
Revenue and Finance,
Alfred Taylor, Commissioner Of
Streets.