Editor’s Note: The following is a political announcement submitted to the Minden Press-Herald. Any candidate for office may submit an announcement that meets the published guidelines of this newspaper.
“Serving the people of Webster Parish has been my life and my career for the past thirty- six years,” state Denise Edwards, candidate for Assessor. Devotion to the people of Webster Parish and dedication to the work she has loved for almost 40 years are the top reasons Chief Deputy Assessor Denise G. Edwards believes she should become your new Webster Parish Assessor.
“My number one goal is to ensure the premium service currently provided to Webster Parish citizens by the Assessor’s Office employees continues,” Edwards explains. “I feel loyalty not only to the people of this parish but also to the people of this office who have served the public with great efficiency and timely service and without political bias.”
Denise Edwards brings her vast knowledge of assisting the 24 taxing districts in setting their millage rates, getting them approved and filing the tax rolls are also important. “That’s how our parish gets its money,” she said. “That’s how our schools, city, police and fire districts get their money. To keep all the services for the people of Webster Parish, we need a fair, efficient tax roll that’s filed correctly.”
Homestead Exemption is important, she said. “It’s important to keep the ownership records and maps straight, so people can come in and see where their property is located.”
Edwards has been Chief Deputy for the past eight years, under the leadership of current Assessor Morris Guin, who supports her in the race, as do former Assessor Doris Cheatham and the entire office staff.
“… I’d say nobody in the parish, and very few people in the state, know as much about taxes as (Denise Edwards) does,” said Guin. “I have been totally blessed with her. She knows this business inside and out…. you can’t even imagine what’s involved in this office.”
Edwards is a Certified Deputy Assessor and a member of International Association of Assessing Officers. In order to do that, as well as handle appraisal and assessment work, she has to know the Louisiana Tax Commission guidelines and the proposed legislative changes that affect homestead exemption eligibility and assessment procedures.
In addition to compiling, producing and filing tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission, she is responsible for the computer systems and the office staff of nine – seven in Minden and two in Springhill – while knowing all policies and procedures.
Edwards said she will work hard to see that every parish taxpayer always has a good experience at her office.
“I will continue to run the office efficiently and be a good steward of the taxpayer’s dollar,” she said.
Denise is the daughter of the late George Gossett and Barbara Reagan. She is the widow of the late Jody Edwards and they have four adult children: Charly Dew & Levi; Emily Kennington & Landon; Cady Pruitt and Cherokee Edwards and three precious grandchildren: Amzie, Aria and Paxton.