For the past four years, News Tribune readers have been treated with more ink about the Pierce County assessor-treasurer’s office than exists in “War and Peace.”

The problems stem from the fact that this office requires a person with technical professional credentials, not someone interested in running a political campaign. This office has often been the stopping point for politicians who have term-limited out of another office with no better credentials than name recognition.

The taxpayers deserve a professional who is qualified to carry out the duties of the assessor-treasurer office. The county charter could be amended to allow the county executive to hire a duly qualified professional and have this ratified by the County Council. This office would serve at the pleasure of the executive and subject to removal if conduct deems necessary, eliminating the need for a recall.

Chances are that our last two assessor-treasurers would not have been on anyone’s list as qualified professional assessors.