Vandenberg, 70, Dons Assessor’s Hat

Marv Vandenberg was named Kootenai County assessor last week, satisfying a judgment against the Kootenai County commissioners last month.

Vandenberg, 70, fills the shoes of Tom Moore, a Democrat, who died in November of lung cancer. The commissioners originally appointed G. Ray Lee to replace Moore.

But the state high court ruled that Lee was not a regular member of the Democratic Party, nor was he nominated by the party to succeed Moore. That was inappropriate, the court ruled.

Lee served about three months.

Vandenberg served as Boundary County assessor from 1959 to 1961. He also served several terms in the Legislature.

The biggest challenge is “getting up to speed from the days of handwritten rolls to computers,” he said.

The best part of the new job is working with low-income people who may qualify for a tax break, he said. “I enjoy getting to see reduction of taxes,” he said.

The program - called circuit breakers - is open until April 15 by contacting the assessor’s office.

, DataTimes