King County Local Voters Pamphlet

Graham Albertini -

I have the experience and the backbone to be the “Taxpayers’ Advocate” - as your next King County Assessor. My qualifications and experience are ideal to lead the Assessor’s Office. I have been a full-time appraisal professional since the age of 22. At age 26 I was promoted to manage a large appraisal department in Bellevue. I am one of fewer than 700 people nationwide certified to teach the Appraisal Standards course that all licensed appraisers must pass, and have trained many new appraisers - including some who now work in the Assessor’s Office. In addition to working as an appraiser, I serve as an instructor at North Seattle Community College and the Rockwell Institute, instructing my students that high standards are not negotiable.

I know what it takes to stand up for your interests. As a former Washington Mutual employee I was appalled at the sub-standard property appraisals they were using to make bad loans. I publicly exposed their disreputable appraisal practices. The collapse of the banking giant is a potent reminder that lax appraisal standards can have disastrous effects. I fought for fiscal prudence to protect borrowers and shareholders, and, as King County Assessor I’ll fight just as hard to protect your interests as property owners.

As your Assessor, I will • Work to ensure homeowners are taxed on a realistic assessment of their home, not on the peak value from the boom years • Maintain professionalism and ethics within our nationally recognized assessor’s department • Be a prudent manager of your resources • Bring fresh ideas from the private sector.

King County taxpayers need an Assessor who is competent and fair. I proved with WaMu that I will stand up for what is right. I’m ready to serve as your Assessor. I ask for your vote.

Gene Lux -

Gene Lux has been a resident of King County since 1942. After graduating from Cleveland High School and working in the home building industry, Gene took many correspondence courses and attended extension courses at U.W. Gene has served 12 years on the Group Health Coop Board, now serves as the senior caucus representative on the Washington Senior Lobby Board in Olympia.

Gene has been a general contractor and residential property developer since the 1950s.

In the early 1970s and 80s Gene served 13 years in the Washington House of Representatives with two appointments to the Washington State Senate.

Gene has served on the Washington State Health Care Authority, Public Employee Benefits Board and on the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Board.

As a fire Commissioner for Fire District #20 in the unincorporated area of Skyway he is very aware of how critical the Dept. of Assessments affects the district budget.

Gene has served on the board of the King County Fire Commissioners Association as well as the Washington State Fire Commissioners Association.

Gene has lived in the West Hill area for 30 years and serves as a board member on the West Hill Community Council.

Your support is appreciated. 

Lloyd Hara -

The work of the Assessor’s Office has a direct effect on the property taxes you pay. Your next assessor needs to have a record of solid management skills, integrity, and dealing with taxpayers in a fair and open manner. 

I fit the bill. I’m Lloyd Hara, and I’m asking for your vote.

I’ve spent my career working for you – as a national award-winning Seattle City Treasurer and King County Auditor, an Army officer, regional FEMA Director, and currently as a watchdog – not a lapdog – on the Port Commission.

I’ve successfully run complex public agencies dealing in financial matters, managing hundreds of employees, and holding myself and the agencies to the highest public accountability standards. I’m a proven manager, not just a number cruncher.

Here’s what I’ll do: Fight to get seniors greater property tax relief -- Ensure your property is fairly and equitably assessed at current values -- Reform the Assessor’s office to be more accessible, so taxpayers get questions answered -- Order a performance audit to find out what’s right, what’s wrong, and then fix it.

Times are tough for our neighbors who have lost wages, life savings, even their homes. Plunging real estate values have spurred a record number of property tax appeals. This is no time for unnecessary risks -- King County needs a proven manager with a record of fairness and integrity. I’d appreciate your vote.

I am endorsed by over 700 civic leaders, organizations, former officials, and prominent citizens, including Speaker Frank Chopp, former Auburn Mayor Chuck Booth, King County Democrats, Bull Moose Republicans, Aerospace Machinists Local 751, Builders United in Legislative Development, Seattle Councilmember Richard Conlin, Inlandboatmen’s Union, Bellevue Councilmember Conrad Lee, Sea-Tac Fire Fighters, State Representatives Eric Pettigrew, Judy Clibborn, Dave Upthegrove, State Sen. Claudia Kauffman, and Carpenters and Joiners Local 1797.

Bob Rosenberger -

King County deserves an Assessor who will be ready to work from day one. That Assessor is Bob Rosenberger, a widely respected and experienced professional who knows what it takes to ensure that: • You pay only your fair share of taxes • Teachers, firefighters, nurses, and police keep providing needed services through fair and accurate distribution of levies • Senior citizens stay in their homes in the face of changing economic conditions.

Bob is the only candidate with 24 years of prime responsibility for appraising thousands of complex properties across the county – from the home you might own or rent all the way up to large commercial and industrial projects.

While the Assessor’s office has won awards for service and outreach, Bob will place more information on the web and improve communication with other agencies.

Bob Rosenberger understands the technical aspects of tax law. He understands real estate; he spent seven years in brokerage, and now invests in residential property. He knows the importance of reliable results.

Bob served as shop steward and has been a local leader in the International Association of Assessing Officers. He has attended five International Conferences as well as qualifying as an instructor.

In these hard times, Bob knows where to cut costs while improving outcomes. He will run a leaner and greener department to the benefit of the taxpayers.

Bob Rosenberger believes in current value appraising to assure accuracy and fairness. He will work to reduce exemptions that merely shift taxes onto the rest of us.

King County voters need an Assessor who won’t create more risk in an already risky economic environment. That is why Bob Rosenberger has the endorsements of former Assessor Ruthe Ridder, Senator Margarita Prentice, Senator Joe McDermott, Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, and other regional leaders.

Bob Blanchard -

I have the experience to make the tough decisions, to be fair and to operate with the highest integrity. I am a Certified Public Accountant that has conducted audits of public entities, as well as, government programs. I have been an officer and tax manager of a national real estate developer and management company. I have appealed property assessments in various jurisdictions. I am a Vietnam era Veteran. I was a paratrooper with the 82^nd Airborne. I have the toughness and management skills to head a department undergoing budget cuts.

A June 1, 2009 state audit criticizes the assessor’s office for not having adequate policies and procedures over personal property tax refunds. A spokesman at the Assessor’s office recently stated that he has only two people to deal with the 13,000+ tax appeals. He is quoted as saying “something has to change.” I understand effective internal controls and I will take action to insure that these problems are addressed.

Current and future budget cuts will require the Assessor to re-allocate resources. I will return to reassessing property every two years like many other counties do, saving both manpower and other expenses. My experience working as a CPA auditor will enable me to assess the problems and take corrective actions.

It is clear that government will be required to operate with less revenue. Taxpayers are hurting. The answer is not new taxes. The Assessor’s office will need to operate more efficiently and at a lower cost.

I offer King County Voters the opportunity to elect someone who has operated his own business. I know when times are tough you have to make adjustments on the way you operate. My private sector business experience has given me the management skills to provide the leadership needed. I ask for your vote.