We have been paying ridiculous amounts of property taxes here in Fayette County on inflated assessments of our homes for years. Last year I averaged paying $140 a week just for the privilege of living in Peachtree City. It is payback time.

We all know that our property values have dropped in the last year, yet why is the county assessor not busy lowering our valuations with the same vigor that he/she used to raise them?

Because that would require a moral and ethical character that is not part of being a bureaucrat.

So you need to take the initiative. You go to suite 110 at the Fayette County complex (next door to the auto tag office). You ask for your “Taxpayer’s Return of Real Property,” fill it out (it just asks for a few things), and turn it in by April 1, 2009.

That will start the ball rolling. The assessor has to do extensive research to validate your current assessment, while you do a little minor research in your neighborhood to show the drop. You cannot afford to be ripped off again this year.

Bill Webster

Peachtree City, Ga.