Did you know I was a Property Tax Assessor for a few years? As if my time as a real estate appraiser in the private sector wasn’t unpopular enough, try passing out tax assessor business cards. It was easier to convince everyone I was a lion tamer than admit my choice of work.  

I heard every grievance with government on all levels (Municipal. Provincial. Federal.) By the way, in New Brunswick, property assessments fall under provincial jurisdiction.  Most of the grievances had nothing to do with me or my job. I could set my watch on the anticipated “senior on a fixed income” argument which is valid but often overplayed, and of course, people tried to convince me they lived in a shack, but their property was assessed like a palace. That was a complete flip-flop from my time in fee appraisal where most people were looking for maximum dollars from their financial institution, so even a 3-way light switch (the ones that turn on and off from two switches) held special value.  At least in the homeowner’s eyes. …