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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > August > 10 > Entry
Sheriff’s appraisers are major campaign contributors
As the number of people losing their homes to foreclosure has increased in recent years, so have profits for a select few men and women with personal ties to Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones.
These are the appraisers picked by the sheriff to determine the value of homes going on the auction block. Last year, these 11 appraisers made a total of $491,175. This year, they made $320,030 as of Aug. 5. None of them hold real estate appraisal licenses, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Web site. And all of them are also regular contributors to Jones’ political campaigns.
Jones: “I chose people that I trusted and had some experience in real estate. All of them have experience of some type in real estate but it’s not required.”
So who exactly are these appraisers, how much did they make and how much have they donated to Jones’ campaign. An expanded story has those details here.
And what does the job entail? This story focuses on that, and includes this comment from local appraiser Todd Rose: “Anybody in our group would love to have a chance to do some of that, but because you’re not politically connected and there’s not a bidding process, you don’t really get a chance.”
What do you think? Should these appraisals be bid out? The sheriff isn’t doing anything illegal, but should there be more requirements on who he picks?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County Sheriff's Department
Comments
By Missy
August 10, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Now we know where our sheirff gets the money for those ads against Senator McCain. Looks like John McCain is the more honorable man to me.
By Molly
August 10, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Once again Big Rick shows that the is just another dirty politician. After this I’ll never believe a word he has to say.
By John
August 10, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
We now know why the sheriffs office budget is $800,000 in red, the sheriff is lining is pockets with taxpayer money. He should bid this work out to qualified people for the lowest cost. But, lining his own pockets borders on criminal. I can’t vote for him again.
By Frank
August 10, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Here’s the short version of this article. “While hundreds of Butler County home owners are losing their homes, Sheriff Richard Jones is profiting off their misfortune.” Now thats a fine sheriff we have, a real man of the people. This republican is going to vote for the democrat this fall.
By Mort
August 10, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Nothing illegal??? But this isn’t right and the sheriff has to know it. He should seek to have the laws on this changed,like he has on other issue’s he has found that isn’t right. Do the right thing sheriff and stop this practice, it makes you look like a dirty politician.
By erasmus
August 10, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Welcome to Hazard County! We have our own Roscoe P. Coltrane-power-hungry sheriff Jones. He the hater of immigrants. Demagogue extraordinaire who excites the ignorant bigots of Butler County into a frenzy of prejudice. You sir are a hypocrite and a crook. November is a cold and cruel month that just might deliver TRUE justice.
By Betty
August 10, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
I’m so disappointed in Sheriff Jones, I would never of dreamed he’s take kickbacks.
By Hugh
August 10, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe the sheriff explains this is OK because it’s “Legal”. It’s not right and he knows it’s not right. Now that he’s caught with his hand in the cookie jar, let’s hope he changes this policy and puts this service out the bid.
By Erasmus
August 11, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
I agree with the Republican who is going to vote Democrat. The real problem is that with one-party rule, people like Jones, Piper, and Jolivette seem to think that there is not accountability for their actions. It is called arrogance. The sad thing is that the dumb voters keep putting these people back in. The same could be said for city council and the school board. Good old boys making the same stupid decisions. WAKE UP PEOPLE AND TAKE BACK YOUR GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!
By Nat
August 11, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
Why not use the appraisals that are done by the county auditors office. It seems stupid to let non-professionals do this job. Looks like a scam is being ran by the sheriff.
By Joe
August 11, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Where is Commissioner Scrooge Dixon. Let’s see if he calls on his friend the sheriff to do the right thing and save the county money like he’s called on other agencies to do. This is an absolute waste of tax dollars to benefit the sheriff himself. One more thing, Sheriff just because there is no law against it doesn’t make it right. This makes you look like the biggest crook in the jail house.
By navy vet
August 11, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
WOW, just when you think you’ve seen the bottom of the kay roger’s iceburgh, it get’s deeper. Come on sheriff jone’s your better than this. AMAZING.
By Raymond
August 19, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Erasmus, if you look back a few years you’ll find that actually the county is being run by (former) democrats. Jolivette, Piper, and Dixon, are or were democrats. I think the republican party like the Greeks let in a Trojan Horse loaded with democrats who have taken over the party from within.
By Harry
April 20, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
I’d like to see an update on this practice, is it still going on? Surely the county commissioners have demanded a change in this political pay paid scheme. Don Dixon has demanded changes in every other department and agency in the county, what has he done here?