Go for it. You can only improve the world if you participate in it. Yay, Mr. Civic!

Ha. This makes the committee I'm on look like a walk in the park. But, go for it. It sounds awesome. Just remember my house is a total shack and falling apart. Completely worthless.

you put the 'ass' in assessor.

So how's this for insane?

My name is Dominick DiRienzo. I am the other "idiot" who wrote himself in for assessor.

I came across your blog while doing some research for a story I was working on (I work at The Meadville Tribune. I was trying to find somebody who was unhappy with Armstrong over the NFL package deal.). I have been an occasional visitor to your blog since I discovered it. Wednesday I swung by on a whim and then see your post about getting the mysterious letter from voter services.

This is just too strange that you are the other assessor candidate.

I agree with your assessment (maybe you are a natural for the position) of the county's Web site. And definitely agree with your platform.

I have not yet decided if I'm going to return the letter.

If I do, I look forward to seeing you at the casting of lots.

Wow! That is just too crazy. How many more signs do you need that this was meant for you!

That's just pretty *cool* that the other candidate wrote himself in too and he found you. It sounds like you could bring some innovation to the position. If you think you can dedicate time to do it sufficiently, you should do it :) Good luck to whatever you decide!

Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.

DO IT! that's so awesome.

this is what nyc's property assessment webpage looks like. it's not very pretty but it gives a whole bunch of info and it's really useful when i have to do research.

http://nycserv.nyc.gov/nycproperty/nynav/jsp/logonpage.jsp

Does Crawford county get any casino money?

Michael J. Since everyone only has words prompting you to do this, I'll take the opposite approach for some balance.

Don't do it.

Besides the fact it will be a thankless job, think of how much time this will take up. As if you don't already have enough going on.

This isn't a position of change but one of ministerial function. You won't be changing the face of Crawford county politics any time soon as a county assessor.

But what you will get is complaints as far as the eye can see. Think about it. Your constituents are only going to call you after they get reassessed and they're pissed off. Your the guy who is responsible for their property taxes going up. And then if they decide to challenge the assessment you will very likely have to show up for the appeal or whatever that legal process involves.

That's a lot of bullshit.

I have a feeling that no one ran for that position for a reason. I would be awfully suspicious and before taking it, I would call some of the outlying county's and speak with those assessors to see how they enjoy (or hate) the position.

I think this will be much more work than you think as well as not what you're expecting. Also, as far as "civec" duty is concerned (to coin a phrase from Ron's blog) I think you're already doing a great service with ErieBlogs.com. We provide the area a resource that is both helpful and builds community. That should be where your spare time goes--at least whatever is left over from your family and work.

I almost forgot to add...

SEACREST OUT!!!

Low voter turnout and everyone laments everytime.
Why do voters stop showing up?
Who is there to vote for? No one.

Two guys have won assessor for the dubious ability that they can write their names.
No qualifications.
No understanding of the job.
No other takers.
No other votes.

Al Gore would take this to the Supreme Court.
Richardz is correct Mike. Turn it down and lose graciously. That will make you a winner with no work.

The best reason to decline?
If you win the tossup, and announce is on Erie Blogs, Dennis will censor your moment of glory into this:
Mike is an ***essor.
Your flock of fans will be sure you have taken up teaching and become a professor. Or perhaps turned priest and become a confessor.

Undoing all the confusion could make you late to Jenson's wedding.

Michelle may force ***essor's to eat veggies and forget to enjoy meat in Crawford. You like carrots?

EMGR will file you under Tidbit. You want that?

Amy's Secret is that ***essor jobs suck. I tend to believe her.

Jennings could Secede from the North. Ramifications are endless. Think, Mike, think.

Sharon Stone has property/relatives down there and your wife will NOT want you ***nosir anything with Sharon, thank you!!!

It begins to be a h***le on many fronts.
Panepento also frowns on writer's being in ***work so your future as a blogger, when you up and leave the area as they all do, becomes a pipe dream.
Rethink this Mike.
Do you want to borrow an eraser?
Get a two headed quarter and flip. Yell TAILS!
Maybe Dennis won't censor tails.
Don't even try heads.

I am glad you ran a clean campaign right to the end. Now, about your filing reports with the government on all expenses, and funds in from Google ads, to date in 2007. You are late.

Enter Erica DeWolf to the rescue.

There is no longer an Oasis for this Insanity. You must go to New York for that.

Penncrest Schools do not even mention this in Who's Who at school? You can get more fame in Crawford by mowing your lawn once a week and waving to p***erby people.

You know, I'm starting to think Lucas' commenting is an acquired taste. Sort of like a new form of poetry--"blog comment haiku" or something like that.

richardz is correct.
I ran a formula on my Excel spreadsheet tonight and it came out saying this:
Merry Christmas Mike!
Merry Christmas Richardz...enjoy the tyke.
Merry Christm** Dennis. :)

Lucas is like the Borg: he assimilates people's blogs and then speaks back to you in woven patterns taking bits and pieces from here and there.

Resistance is futile.

SEACREST OUT!!!

So what did you decide to do? You haven't announced your new position, so I'm guessing you didn't return the letter.