Skills calculated for assessor

With the pending retirement of Terrebonne Parish Assessor Gene Bonvillian, four candidates have come forward, each seeking public support to fill that position.

As a financial consultant, Harvey Chauvin said he wants to have every employee in the assessor’s office certified in their positions to enhance skills and resources.

“Everything is computerized, but I want to update it so people have access from their homes,” Chauvin said. This candidate said he would like to consolidate mapping so all departments have a common model. He also wants to enhance the climate and relationship of the assessor’s office with the public by conducting town hall meetings to answer questions and inform residents on how taxes work

Scott Drapekin is a real estate appraiser by profession, and said he would like to bring a higher level of consistency in taxation to parish government. “I want to maintain an open door policy where taxpayers can talk directly to me without any fear of penalty,” he said. Drapekin added that he is willing to walk taxpayers through the appeal process so they know they are being treated fairly. “I’m not looking to be a four-year assessor, but the next assessor, and don’t want any taxpayers to feel they have been treated unfairly.”

Loney Grabert currently works in the Assessor’s Office as chief deputy assessor and said having that inside experience makes him confident in how work is presently being conducted. “I think we put a successful tax roll together,” he said. “I’m not looking for any changes. Just be consistent and fair with the tax roll and keep the website updated.”

Business owner and candidate Clarence Williams said he wants to see the government office take on an approach more typical in the private sector. “I think there are three issues,” he said. “One is to make the information and record keeping more accessible. Two, improve staff training. Three, administer the office more efficiently.”

Each candidate voiced why he is the most qualified when compared to the rest of the field. “I have experience, education and community involvement,” Chauvin said.

Drapeken said the nature of his career offers an edge in fully understanding this job. “I’m the only candidate that is a certified residential real estate appraiser,” he said. “I have no ties to this assessor’s office or any other assessor’s office, but I do handle people’s property taxes on a daily basis.”

“I have the office experience,” Grabert said. “I know the steps of putting the [tax] roll together and have a good working relationship with the business community.”

“The financial and administration experience [I have],” Williams said was his advantage. “Additionally, I’m experienced in financial consulting to the Tax Assessor’s Office in New Orleans.”

The candidates for Terrebonne Parish Assessor are listed on the primary election ballot for Oct. 22.