Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Police say shooter's brother helped him flee ... Lyme Warriors Fight Back ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 10, 1916 ... Police say shooter's brother helped him flee ... Lyme Warriors Fight Back ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 10, 1916 ... OUR VIEW Our View: Mystery surrounds assessor's departure Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 8, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 8, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The resignation of Jackson County Assessor Josh Gibson leaves more questions than answers. It seems clear that there is more to the story than what Gibson or others have said. And the fact that he essentially left the job when he had surgery Nov. 19 raises the question of whether an elected assessor is even necessary. Gibson's resignation letter — the only explanation he has offered for his decision to step down — says he needed to refocus attention on his family "at this point in my life." Gibson is in his mid-30s. While some elected positions require frequent evening meetings and other duties outside of normal working hours, that's not generally the case for an assessor. It's not clear what Gibson expects to do for a living that will give him more time away from the office. Then there is the curious matter of the golf course urination incident. Gibson acknowledges he urinated in public on a golf course in Hood River while golfing with colleagues at a county assessors summer conference in August, but denied reports he had exposed himself to the only woman in his group, Deputy Assessor Jo Wright, who is now acting assessor. Many men who play golf have relieved themselves on a golf course at some point. If that is all there is to this incident, it's certainly not enough by itself to warrant resignation. Gibson has by all accounts done a good job since he was elected in 2012. Members of his staff praised his leadership, saying the office had been in disarray when he took over but has improved markedly, to the point that the staff can function smoothly even "without an assessor," in the words of the lead appraiser, who has filed for the now-vacant position. Which brings us to the real question: If the office can function well without an assessor — a position that pays more than $104,000 a year — why does the position exist? Or, perhaps more specifically, why does the assessor need to be elected? The assessor is responsible for determining property values and setting tax rates, but must follow state law, which determines how rates are set and how property is appraised. The assessor has no power to change any of the rules. Voters essentially are electing a professional who could just as well be appointed from among qualified applicants. Changing that would mean changing the county charter, which would require a public vote. It could be argued that electing the assessor gives taxpayers the chance to choose someone who might be more accessible and responsive to their concerns, but that could also be made a condition of keeping the job if the assessor were appointed. Voters overwhelmingly rejected a measure in 2011 that would have made the assessor, clerk and surveyor appointed positions. Perhaps they would still do so — or perhaps it's time to ask them again. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 8, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501