Gardiner officials can include me on their list of disgruntled taxpayers described in the June 21 Kennebec Journal article. My property valuation increased from $74,600 to $105,000, a 41 percent increase. This valuation is exactly 10 times what I paid for my home 46 years ago. I would be amazed to be able to sell this property for the appraised value.

I cannot understand how Vision Appraisal Technology of Northboro, Mass. could fairly appraise my property when they didn't even come inside my home.

I talked to the appraiser on the doorstep and offered to have him come in, but he declined. He said that all they needed was to measure the outside of the buildings.

The appraisal indicated that we have hot water heat. Not true.

We have the same hot air wood/coal conversion furnace (a monstrosity) that was here when we bought the house.

We still have water in the cellar during wet seasons.

I didn't appeal the appraisal because I was out of town during the week that Vision held hearings.

By having a short period for appeals, they minimized the complaints. Do you suppose that was by design? Also, I think that they assumed a lot.

David O. Locke

South Gardiner