Hi, neighbors - Just had a really odd phone solicitation. A guy claiming to be Bob Wishnov (sp?) from Pay Less Taxes called me and tried to get me whipped up into a frenzy about the county property reassessment and wanted me to pay him to file my appeal. Hunh? He actually communicated some errors of fact as well - which always leads me to be suspicious about the integrity of someone. Friends, the appeal process is very simple and if you have any questions, you can contact our City Councilor's office. Just a reminder that the following information is available about the appeal process: "Property owners, along with the school and municipality, also have the right to file a 2012 formal appeal with the Board of Property Assessment Appeals & Review until February 10, 2012. Appeal forms may be obtained by calling 412-350-4600 or by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/opa/aforms.aspx. *Additional resources*** City of Pittsburgh: Frequently Asked Questions – http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/appealassist/faqs City of Pittsburgh 311 Non-Emergency Response line: 311 or 412-255-2621 Informal hearings have been suspended due to the court decision to postpone implementation of the new assessment values until next year. I don't know who this Bob guy is, and I don't know anything about this alleged company he is working for, but the way he was using half-truths to whip his audience into a frenzy leads me to suspect unflattering things about his tactics and motives. Anyone trying to make a buck on a process that is free and relatively user-friendly is either shady or extremely entrepreneurial. In any case, it's good to be on the lookout in case he chooses to prey on folks who are vulnerable. Your neighbor, Helen