An article in the Dec. 31 Tribune-Review (" Ceraso: Property reassessment would ease likely budget crunch ") made it appear as though I favored property reassessment as a means to increase the tax burden on our taxpayers. A more careful reading would reveal that although the writer used several of my direct quotes, the final sentence of the article — "But after the first year, the county would be permitted to adjust its tax rate to bring in additional revenues" — was not attributed to me. Why• Because I never said it. It is a shame that people are being misled by the very source they depend on most to provide them with accurate and objective information. The truth is that if properties were reassessed and a new rate of millage was set, revenues would remain even to what they are now. However, the county would experience a natural increase in revenues from new housing starts and growth in the county in the following years. My chief concern is for making the system more fair. Right now, many longtime taxpayers in this county have to make up the difference for those who are underpaying. As for paying for a reassessment, I do not support having it come out of the countians' wallets. This problem needs to be taken up at the state level. I urge everyone to take the time to find out what is going on with his government. And when controversial statements are made, examine them for the truth by looking at the real motivation behind them — whether it's to reveal the facts, to sway public opinion or to sell newspapers. Tom Ceraso New Kensington The writer is a Westmoreland county commissioner.

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