MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

SAM LOMANDO, JR.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the assessors, appraisers, clerks, county directors and all associate members for your support. Tonight I would also like to thank someone very special to me, my wife Deneen. I would also like to thank my family members.

Being the 50th President of the NYSAA has great meaning to me. Like many more before me, I accept the challenge. Assessors are front line people who have direct day to day contact with the general public and our image is very important. Integrity. Responsibility. & Reliability are what assessors are made of.

Integrity. Just say the word and you think of fellow assessors; Allan Jackson, Robert Osias, Al Arlen, Andrea Nilon, Larry Benton, Charles Bottle & Shirley Royak.

Responsibility. This association has taken the lead to provide the highest level of education to our membership. Under the direction of Mike Fogarty, Rick Hubner, Bill Nellis and all the IAO Board of Trustees, we have provided many opportunities for assessors to maintain their professional expertise.

Reliability. The Assessor's middle name.

Assessors work long hours to provide a service to their community. Assessors care for the Senior Citizens and Veterans by helping them file for their exemption. We go far beyond our job description to help whenever we can.

The NYSAA, under the direction of David Briggs, has made many important contacts with our legislators. For years, we have questioned the Equalization Rate Survey Process. David Briggs took on this task and put together a proposal, presenting it to the State Board. The New York State Assessors' Association Bulletin, under the guidance of Jim Culver, provides important assessment administration information to our membership. Jim also requests and seeks our input to make our publication a wealth of information.

I ask you tonight to actively participate in the continued effort of the NYSAA to maintain the highest level of Integrity, Responsibility and Reliability. Thank you