Assessor candidates debate best approach to property assessment

Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

The three candidates for San Francisco Assessor attempted to distinguish themselves last night, more through nuance than end goal.

In an office plagued for years with allegations of ineptitude and possible corruption, all pledged professional property valuation but different in mode.

Cheryl Jennings of KGO-TV emceed the question-and-answer session hosted by the San Francisco League of Women Voters.

The 7:00 p.m. panel discussion took placed in a two-thirds filled studio of the LGBT Center.

Ron Chun distanced himself from competitors Gerardo Sandoval and Phil Ting by insisting method of valuation "should be revenue neutral," with technical expertise and professionalism required for fair appraisal.

Ron Chun

Both Sandoval and Ting emphasized preference for the office to produce highest revenue legally possible to support social service programs they said San Franciscans demand.

Gerardo Sandoval

Sandoval framed himself best equipped for the job, suggesting his 15 years in government made him efficient in working the levers of city policy.

Phil Ting

Ting, appointed to the position by Mayor Newsom, drew attention to his initiatives underway to challenge large property owner valuations as possibly under assessed.

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