
Teri L. Ross, IAO
President, New York State Assessors' Association
2016-2017
I admit that
in preparing for this speech I pretty much googled every acceptance speech
known to man – some of them quite lengthy - but you don’t need to worry this
speech will not be long enough to be cut off by an orchestra for going over the
allotted time.
I am deeply
honored to become the 72nd president of the New York State
Assessors’ Association. I’d like to thank the members who have placed their
faith and trust in me. I do not take this responsibility lightly and I pledge
to do my very best to represent this association with honor, integrity and
transparency.
Many amazing
assessors have held this position before me - so in my research - I also read
the past president’s speeches from our website. Past President Randall Holcomb,
who is here tonight, opened his speech by telling the audience his age….that
won’t be happening tonight. Past President Dennis Ketcham started his off with
a quote from the Gettysburg address…that won’t be happening tonight either. Past
President Sue Otis – who has been one of my mentors – started with a call to
action now that is something I can start with - on this dais sits a talented group of
dedicated, hardworking members - this is
your New York State Assessors’ Association Executive Board but we can not do
the work of this association alone. Take a look around this room….these are
your fellow members of this association. We need your support - we would really
like your help. We ask you all to step up. OK - so you may not want to be an
Executive Board member but it is important to you that issues pertaining to
assessing are straightened out in Albany – why not step up and become a member
of our Legislative Committee? Or you may not want to teach a week long class at
Cornell but you are a real V4 expert – why not step up and volunteer to be a new
assessor mentor? Or maybe you are passionate about Real Property Tax Law – why
not step up and write an article for The Bulletin? After all our association’s
motto is – we are only as good as our members.
I am pleased
to report that the association has decided to step up and partner with the
County Directors in an effort to make NYS accountable to the assessment
community. The decline of ORPTS can clearly be traced back to the merger with
Tax and Finance and that decline needs to stop NOW!
One of my
goals this year - will be to ensure that the relationship between the County
Directors and the Assessors continue to grow and flourish. The fact that we
have similar goals and serve the same public makes our collaboration
particularly significant. In most instances, we are on the same team.
There are so
many people that I need to thank. First of all, to the greatest assessors’
staff in the entire state – Mark, Barb, Carlene, Jess and my right hand man
Ted. Your loyalty, your competence, your eagerness to work as a team and your
willingness to do anything asked of you is humbling and inspiring. This team
makes it a pleasure to come to work every single day! I absolutely could not - and
would not want to - do this job without you. Thank You!
The Town of
Queensbury is an amazingly empowering place to work - largely in part to not
only my fellow employees but to the extremely supportive administration. In fact,
the current Supervisor John Strough is here tonight. Thank you!
It is VITAL that
I give a big shout out to the Warren County Assessors’ Association for the
tremendous effort to make this conference so special. Christian, Lori, Chris,
Lauren & Ted have met weekly to put this together – from Ted’s suggestion
to apply for Occupancy Tax funds enabling them to sponsor yesterday’s beautiful
cruise on Lake George, to the mugs with the Lake etched on them, to the photo
booth, the delicious bear claws, and much more……they have done an outstanding
job. Thank you!
Thank you
also to some of the mentors I have had along the way…..Dave Rosebrook, Mike
Swan, Sue Otis, Peggy Jenkins and Denise Trudell! I would not be standing up here tonight without all
of you.
At this time
I’d also like to recognize my family here tonight….my husband of 35 years Darren…and
they said it wouldn’t last, our daughter Sara and her husband Tom – here from
San Diego – our daughter Beth and her husband Sean, my Mom and my Dad as well
as my sister Tenee with her husband Jim, brother Todd with his fiancé Daniah and
my cousin Sonja with her husband Jeff. Thank you for being here and for the unwavering
love & support along the way!
I believe
that most of the qualities that brought me here, I learned from my family. My maternal
grandparents owned a resort on the Lake with housekeeping cottages, my paternal
grandparents ran a diner and my aunt and uncle had a restaurant. So my
siblings, cousin and I were taught public relations at a very early age. We
learned to clean cabins, take reservations, deliver clean towels, bring coffee
fast during the morning shift and ensure diners that yes, we were still serving
the linguini with white clam sauce – all to keep our guests satisfied – to
treat others with diplomacy, courtesy and respect no matter the circumstances.
These traits are necessary in our assessment profession.
My Dad, who
is a retired State Trooper, taught me how crucial it is to be honest - that it
goes a long way when you admit your mistakes instead of blaming others (like my
brothers). Honesty and transparency are important qualities that an assessor should
possess.
And last but
far from least I would like to recognize what my mother taught me. Mom – would
you please join me up here?
This is my
mom – Deanne Rehm – currently the assessor from Lake Luzerne but at one point
was the assessor in Bolton Landing, Lake George and Lake Luzerne. She has had
50 Grievance Days – God Bless her! Once both our daughters were in school my
mom decided that I should stop waitressing at the family restaurant – where I
was making lots of money catering to demanding, hungry diners and convinced me
to come be her clerk where I would make very little money catering to
demanding, taxpayer whiners! Among the many things she taught me is
professionalism and how to serve and advocate for property owners with
diligence, patience and integrity. One of her favorite sayings is – never let
them see you sweat! And – you know what – going to work for her was one of the best
decisions I ever made. I am now doing something I love every day and thank God that
He gave me the courage – along with a nudge from my Mom – to follow this path.
So, now it
is with eternal gratitude and with the greatest pleasure and pride that I
present Deanne Rehm with the NYSAA Robert Osias Professionalism Award – this
award is given to an assessor that has served with diligence, integrity and a
quiet professionalism that has won the praise of their peers, the
municipalities in which they have served and reflects credit upon the entire
profession.
Some
excerpts from her nomination letters read:
Deanne is
always the consummate professional in all aspects of the positions she has
held, Deanne is a wealth of knowledge and has been a mentor to many assessors
in our County, I can’t think of anyone that has more integrity than Deanne,
Deanne has dedicated so many years to our profession that it goes without
saying that she is deserving of this award, Deanne’s professionalism knows no
bounds.
Congratulations
Mom and thank you!
Now, I would
like to close with a seemingly appropriate quote deemed from all of my
research:
We are what
we repeatedly do…Excellence then…..is not an act…….but a habit!
Thank you!