Eduardo: “As you can see the Assessor’s clerks are going through all the property files on their list, checking to see when the property was last assessed, the current tax listing, and a bunch of other public records for the property to list improvements and insurance so they can figure out which properties need to be re-assessed for property taxes.”
Jeannie: “Wow, sounds like a lot of work. And as we understand this is due to a call from the Selectmen council for local taxes to be correct?”
Eduardo: “naturally, some of these properties haven’t been assayed for property taxes for over two decades, and in that time improvements could have been made, or decayed. Don’t forget we have had two years of pretty damaging hurricanes. Not only is this to make sure all the property taxes are correct, but also for insurance purposes. Insurance companies need to make sure they are charging the correct amount for re-building should the worst happen, having this information up to date will help with that.”
Jeannie: “I can imagine how frustrating it could be to have your house or business burn down only to find out the insurance company is only going to cover eighty percent of the rebuilding cost, I mean you can’t rebuild eighty percent of a business.”
Eduardo: “Naturally, and in some cases the insurance company is only covering half the rebuild cost, As you can see having the accurate information about these properties not only helps make sure everyone is paying their fair share of taxes, but can help insurance rates locally by making certain the insurance companies aren’t taking a loss on rebuilding.”
Jeannie: “Now with the weather being as horrible as it is, are you certain that this is a good time for reassessment? What if we get another Hurricane and all those numbers change?”
Eduardo: “Well Jeannie, if we don’t do it now, it may not happen for months if not years. I guess the thought is that if these assessments are going to change at least we’ve got the preliminary work finished, which should make the physical inspections that much easier.”
Jeannie: “Thank you Eduardo.” *The screen splits to cut in the view of the news desk at the AP CH 68 with Ariana Bening and Raymond Wages.* “The Assessors would like us to remind persons that so long as they have kept the public records of their home or business including any improvements they have made on file at the office, the chance of being inspected is minimal. Live from The Court House Property Records office, This has been Jeannie Webb.”
Raymond: "Thank you Jeannie. Looks like I'll have to make sure that the new siding I put on, last year after Atticus tore half of it off, is on file. "
Ariana: "And of course don't forget about that therapeutic hot tub you put in around November." *She flashes a beatific smile as Raymond winces slightly* "And speaking of weather, from Georgia to New York there have been all kinds of drastic weather shifts. Flash flooding in places, Tornado watches, even hail." *This screen shows several people picking up what looks like golf balls only to have the camera zoom in and show giant balls of ice of that size* "Several homes have been lost due to lightning trikes all along the coast as this system moves it's way on up over the past two days. We now go to Wilbert Woods to Tell us what we can expect. Wil?"
*The camera moves over to the Weather Center with Wilbert Woods standing in front of a coastal map indicating the storm-front that they are discussing and showing it animatedly moving on up along the coastline*
Wilbert: "Thank you Ari, at this time we're still not 100% certain that the weather will get that bad around here, though there will definitely be some high winds and a lot more rain. The general analysis shows that a lot of the worst of it should stay off shore and not make landfall. That doesn't mean we are out of the woods yet." *he chuckles softly at his own pun and shows the Forecast tracker image*
Wilbert: "Today, a sharp drop in temperature as this cold front moves through the area, with heavy and light rains intermingled as the Cold front pushes the warm front system north and takes it's place. Highs that were in the Mid Sixties will only be reaching Fifty or maybe Fifty Three today, Overnight dropping to The High Thirties with more intermittent Rain. Tomorrow, More Rain with Cooler temperatures with a high of Fifty, but mostly sticking around the mid Forties going into noon and after sundown, high winds and Chilly rain can cause black ice and freezing rain to fall overnight going into Sunday. Sunday we peek back up into the High Forties, and that temperature sticks around for a bit till sundown when it drops back to the High Thirties. if we are going to get any hail that would be the night for it. "
*He presses his remote showing the Extended Forecast to display behind him.*
Wilbert: "Monday we are looking at heavy rain and thunderstorms with patches of sunlight showing up here and there as the front moves along the coastline. Gusting winds can get up to Forty miles per hour though, so be careful if you are anywhere near the beach or piers as sudden waves may rise five to ten feet in places. Tuesday we start out with scattered sunshine darkening into heavy cloud cover during the afternoon and evening hours. the high will be in the upper fifties as this warm front slips back into the area, Still expecting rain though nothing too severe, Going into Wednesday we expect heavily cloudy skies in the morning which will lessen and turn back into sunshine in the late evening, the highs getting up to the mid Sixties. "
*As he talks about the mid Sixties a photo-shopped Wilbert shows on the background with several "Well past cougar" Age women hanging on him like he's the pimp-daddy. As usual with the background additions, it doesn't seem to be showing on his monitor.*
Wilbert: "Naturally we are still watching this storm front closely in case it intensifies or changes. You can download the bay Area Weather Team App to keep up to date with any alerts or notifications. And meanwhile, our partners at the Asphyxiation Point Times have shared the following tips on how to prepare to keep you safe - just in case. *The newsticker at the bottom of the screen shows rolling text with a list of said tips*
"That's what we can expect, I'm Wilbert Woods."
*The camera centers back on Ariana and Raymond*
Raymond: "This month the state is looking to vote either to enact or turn down a Moratorium on the sale of Marijuana for Eighteen months or longer while they settle some issues that seem to have arisen from the sales and distribution of the substance which as you recall was made legal to own and sell last year." *The Screen splits to show a hawkish woman with a sly smile and dark hair pulled back in a somewhat severe style sitting behind a office desk, well sitting but she almost seems perched on it like a Vulture waiting to pounce, even with her hands folded in front of her.* "For more on that story we have Our favorite Legal Eagle, Mz Mary-Ann Ratering. Mary-Ann, what can you tell us about the legal difficulties that have arisen from the legalization and why the State may be looking to issue a Moratorium so soon?"
*The woman's smile spreads a bit as she steeples her fingers in front of her and nods slightly*
Mary-Ann: "Oh Eagle, I'll have to update my business cards dear boy." *She chuckles, it's not a pleasant sound, for those watching they may even see Ariana visibly wince just almost off camera* "Well the crux of the matter dear boy is that the state wasn't prepared for it." *She sits back in her chair, looking less like she's perching on her desk and somehow ends up looking even more intimidating from the seeming relaxed posture*
Mary-Ann: "The ballot was put to the populous of the state itself and as you probably recall only barely slipped into being by a mere Four-Thousand votes making the tally Fifty point three percent majority. So it was enacted into law, the Governor promising that it would be enacted within the month as a rather bold stroke." *She taps her fingers together* "the problem is those who signed up for dispensary licenses did so during that time, in fact I believe they had nearly a thousand applicants within an hour of the license bureau opening. Well this naturally leads to a question that 'm surprised was not asked earlier."
*She pauses here to intertwine her fingers on the desk leading Raymond to Lean in as he waits for it.*
Mary-Ann: "Where precisely are all these license applicants getting their supplies from? before it passed there were only a small handful of growers for medicinal uses only, now that it's gone to the full legal for recreational use, and all these businesses are opening up, well it does beg the question. Especially for those that claim they have their own special strains, which any botanist could tell you takes years to develop or at least several growing seasons as you mix one plant with another and have to wait to harvest."
*She smiles again, and shrugs slightly, one shoulder lifting and her head tilting to the side*
Mary-Ann: "That coupled with the Two-dozen or so communities that have already voted in and established a local moratorium on sales simply caused the state government to ask themselves that question, and establish a committee to investigate further and properly check these new business owners to make certain that they are not simply drug dealers who were not caught before legalization became Law. And in order to do that they would naturally want to put a hold on these potential law-breakers making money from their sales."
Raymond: "So if voted into place, the Moratorium would place an immediate hold on all commercial sales till November of next year at earliest, but still allow it to be legal to possess for recreational use? And what f the State passes it, but locally they vote to overturn it and keep it legal?"
Mary-Ann: "Naturally the State law supersedes the local law, however if the state fails to pass this moratorium, the local laws already enacting them will of course apply fully. So if your town passes it and the state doesn't, you may end up with all those pipes and papers and nothing to put in them Dear boy. " *She shakes her head in a matronly way at the thought as if sympathizing with him. Raymond to his benefit clears his throat and smiles back*
Raymond: "As always thank you for giving us your insight on legal matters Mary-Ann and i look forward to touching base again after the State has it's vote. Maybe see what other legal recourses proprietors and users have afterwards."
Mary-Ann: "Always a pleasure." *once again she smiles as the camera cuts back to the News desk itself*
Ariana: "Overnight there was something of a bizarre story out of Bangor, our Intern Kyler Victors has the Story on a Slow-Speed chase that lasted for nearly three hours? Live from Verona Island, what can you tell us about this Kyler?"
*The camera cues up a long section of canal with the top end of a Bulldozer sitting half submerged with just the cab and exhaust above the water. Kyler the last of the interns standing there wearing a rain poncho and holding his mic*
Kyler: "Thanks Ari, Last evening it seems a currently unnamed person broke into a construction yard, stole the bulldozer behind me and started on some kind of rampage. He started in Bangor and took the bulldozer all the way down Route Fifteen. Police engaged in pursuit after he knocked over several electrical posts, but the vehicle was moving too fast for them to climb on, and with the treads they were unable to lay down spike strips or try and run it off the road. Three police cars were damaged in the pursuit as they tried to get along side only to be hit. The chase came to an end when he reached the bridge to cross over onto Verona Island, and promptly drove the dozer off the other side into the canal. Police had the area surrounded and managed to retrieve and arrest the driver without further incident. Police have not yet released the name or if this happens to be a drug-related crime at this time, and I'll let you know when we hear more. From Verona Island, this is Kyler."
*The poor youngster's voice cracks a bit as he tries to sound all official and Macho at the end there. causing some muffled laughter from the background of the studio.*
Raymond: "Thank you Kyler. On Monday we shared a story about a local exotic animals compound being liberated by a local animal rights group. This morning we have a follow up, Dean Knopinski is in the field reporting about the situation. What can you tell us Dean?"
*The Screen Switches over to Dean standing inside one of the old Ship-building warehouses scattered around the bay area. Several police and wildlife control officers can be seen across the open space with nets and dog-catcher hooks seeming to be going after some darting shadows in the rafters*
Dean: "Thank you Raymond, Early this morning local police and wildlife control got a call from the animal rights group stating that the Monkeys had escaped. it seems the cages they picked up to keep them in till they could transport them elsewhere were designed for dogs and the monkeys had no problem working the latches. They escaped in the middle of the night and ran amok in the warehouse."
*nearby one of the Animal Control officers who somehow managed to snag one of the monkeys is moving to carry it out to the waiting vehicle*
Officer: "They still haven't found the tiger though."
*Dean's Eyes get big as saucers*
Dean: "Tiger...What tiger...Nobody said...Oh ~Bleep~ Animal time needs to be AUGH!"
*As he speaks, the Monkey the officer was carrying Slips it's hold and leaps through the air...landing on top of Dean's head and grabbing hold of his upper lip, one can only imagine how clean those paws are. Dean falls back onto his Rear end batting at the Monkey which seems affixed on his head. the Animal Control officer moving to try and get a good position to try and make a grab for the Fur ball, when suddenly there's a rumble and "RAWRRRR" noise as the orange and black striped Cat leaps up out of the nearby boxes, everyone scrambles back except Dean who just looks at the camera with a "Oh $#!^" Look.*
*The Monkey Screeches at the tiger, the Tiger looks at the Monkey and with what seems like an almost careless wave of it's paw, sends the primate flying off Dean's head. Then Sniffs at him a couple of times before putting it's head on his shoulder and starting to nuzzle him. Like a big affectionate kitten leaning that massive weight against the reporter who looks pale as a ghost. The camera cuts back to the news center*
Raymond: "Well they found the tiger...I'm sure he'll be fine."
Ariana: "Coming up, Tragedy at Sea, or Poseidon's Opening a Starbucks. Kaylynn Garcia has a Full report on the Feeder Container vessel "Straits Ahead" Which capsized last night after striking another vessel. All the Crew were reported able to evacuate, but a lot of the cargo was lost, including nearly ten-thousand tons of Coffee beans. How that'll affect your upcoming purchase at Moon-bean Coffee and more when we return.
*Cuts to commercials*