If you have any questions concerning the values placed on property by the Monroe County Property Appraisers Office all you have to do is contact the State of Florida Department of Revenue. They audit the values placed on the tax rolls by the POA...........

There are no actual ethics amongst those people.

So, your stomach turns at the thought of Commissioner DiGennaro as Property Appraiser? Well, apparently that same illness afflicted Mr. Borglum and Mr. Russell and others on his staff who decided they had to take preventive action. Apparently, it didn't occur to them to consult with other experts (i.e., the VOTERS) to see if they concurred with their analysis. Had they done so, they may have been very surprised. Problem is, they didn't give the VOTERS the opportunity to review the case and make a decision. I'm so sorry that Mr. Borglum will be leaving the Keys with this reputation. What a sad way to end what could have been an illustrious career in Monroe County.

Well said.

DeGennaro. Obviously some, um, 'threats' were made at the last minute and any decent candidate withdrew so the thuggish one could run unopposed.

So, what do YOU know about value adjustment or how the Value Adjustment Board works? The Value Adjustment Board is like a jury, they listen to the facts presented by the property owner and the facts presented by the Property Appraiser in rebuttal. They are guided by a "magisrate" who is supposedly an expert in real estate appraisal and valuation. Think of it as jury -- if you were on a jury for a murder trial, wouldn't you listen to all the facts, listen to what the law is, and then make a decision? Well, that is an extreme, but that is what Commissioner Murphy did on the VAB. She listened to the facts, considered the law, and made a decision. That's what we elected her to do. Now she is questioning the validity of the "facts" presented to her. Given the situation as we now know it, wouldn't you?

Who can blame her? This is very small, very small stuff as far as politics go. So, no one sent her a memo about running for office, s suddenly she won't work with those who she would not vote for? That's a bit much. If the rules allow for a last hour entry, then they are playing within the rules...and yes games get "played" in politics. Duh. You gotta work with people. Brilliant way to get in office and saved tons of money.

,Please, don't insult our intelligence by calling Ms Murphy a "crybaby". This is what bullies do. I don't know Ms. Murphy and have never talked to her, but she doesn't deserve to be called names. She is expressing her opinion and taking an action she feels is appropriate. You have every right to disagree with her, just as I have every right to agree with her -- which I do and I support her action. Something smells. If you disagree, give me reasons for your disagreement to persuade me to change my mind. Namecalling won't do it.

Ok, I'm, game...how do you know this is for the "betterment of the community"? I respect your opinion, but please give me facts. How does this action better the community? What experience have you had with Mr. Russell that lends credence to your statement? The facts are that the qualifying period to run for office was noon on Friday, June 8, 2012. As I understand it, Mr. Russell filed the necessary paperwork with the Supervisor of Election's Office at approximately 11 a.m. on June 8. At that point, Mr. Borglum was still on the ballot, which means if the situation had not changed, in November we would have had to vote for either Mr. Borglum or Mr. Russell. Hoever, approximately, 20-30 minutes later, (around 11:30 a.m.) Mr. Borglum goes to the Supervisor of Election's office and withdraws his name. These actions meant that there was absolutely no time for anyone else to prepare the necessary paperwork, open the necessary bank accounts, etc., to be able to qualify to be on the ballot. I would love for you to prove to me and all of the other registered voters of Monroe County that this is not what happened --and why your feel the actions taken are for the "betterment of the community. Do you really feel that having someone who is willing to participate in this type of subterfuge is a "betterment"? I don't get it. Also, would you please give us proof that this wasn't planned?

But a least she didn't pull any last minute shenangians to foist herself or some other unknown on us. There were interested people who didn't run because Mr. Borglum was on the ballot. Please don't insult Commissioner Murphy, me and the rest of the residents of Monroe County by thinking we don't see through this.

You miss the point. Obviously we would not have been able to vote for Mr. Borglum, were he on the ballot, because he had no opponents. However, when Mr. Borglum decided he was not going to run, he should have withdrawn his name to allow any interested parties to come forth, allowing us to vote if there was more than one candidate. However, the last minute manipulation orchestrated by Mr. Borglum, Mr. Russell and other involved members of their staff and legal counsel are reprehensible in that you prevented the wheels of democracy to turn. The nice Mr. Russell will never have my vote.