Letter to the editor

I am a new resident of Panola County. I moved here after living in Memphis for the past 30 years.

When I closed on my property approximately one year ago I was never informed of the “homestead exemption act.”

When my property taxes were calculated and my monthly payment was established I worked out my finances to make sure that I was able to make all of my monthly bills. This month my mortgage company sent me my new calculated monthly payment and it was a $375 increase per month from what I have been paying for the past year.

I called my mortgage company and they stated to me that my property taxes were much more than was figured originally and I had a significant escrow shortage. I immediately picked up the phone and called the Panola County Tax Assessor’s office and spoke with a woman who then informed me of this so-called homestead exemption act and then promptly informed me that I missed the deadline to file this (Jan. Feb. Mar.) for a decrease on my property taxes.

She was not very friendly in the way she communicated this to me and said that they were only required to inform people in the “paper” and on the radio.

I informed her that my businesses and radio stations that I listen to were in the Memphis area and that I was never told anything of this homestead act. I asked for the Tax Assessor and she told me he was not in, so I asked if he could call me back tomorrow.

The next day (4-14-2010) I received a call from David Garner and he identified himself when he called. I explained to him this same story about my monthly payment being increased $375 per month. He informed me in the same arrogant attitude as the woman the day before that they did only what was required of them by the state to advertise the homestead act. I again informed him that I was never informed and that I was not able to pay an additional $375 per month and that I still have a house for sale in Memphis.

Again I got the impression that he was not concerned, or listening to what I was saying. He informed me that I missed the deadline to file the homestead exemption act and he was pretty much through talking with me about it, so I asked him “sir what is your name.” He said Youri Stajanovich then he hung up on me!

I immediately called back and he did not answer the phone nor did anyone answer the phone.

I was appalled at the way a publicly elected official conducted himself, as well as the way he has allowed his employees to treat NEW residents moving into Panola County.  I felt that there is an air of rudeness and pompous arrogance within the Panola County Tax Assessors Office.

The first thing I wondered was is this the back woods Mississippi Politics that you hear about? Maybe I moved into the wrong county. I could have purchased property anywhere, but I chose Panola County. Now I’m wondering if I made a mistake !

Vernon Barker

Como