Story Photos
 Photo by Bill Wagner Cowlitz County assessor candidates Ray Ryan, left, and Dick Howell, right, along with Ryan's wife, Carol, congratulate Terry McLaughlin after commissioners on Tuesday appointed him to succeed Dean Takko. |
County names McLaughlin new assessor
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 7:40 AM PST
By Sally Ousley
Printable version
E-mail this articleTerry McLaughlin, the manager of the county's Geographic Information System, was appointed as the new county assessor Tuesday afternoon.
McLaughlin, 47, was one of three nominees for the assessor's position vacated by Dean Takko The other two nominees were education consultant Dick Howell and former county assessor Ray Ryan.
Takko, who was assessor for six years, had resigned after being named to replace Brian Hatfield as the 19th District state representative.
McLaughlin was sworn in by Cowlitz County Auditor Kris Swanson.
"I'm very pleased and excited," he said after the county commissioners approved his appointment.
"I've worked closely with Dean (Takko) and now this is definitely a change but also a challenge," he said.
Although he said he has no immediate goals, he eventually would like to have the GIS department integrated into the assessor's office.
McLaughlin said he supervised completion of the computerized parcel map that's used by the county, Cowlitz PUD and city of Longview. He also supervised the creation of the first county atlas.
One of the challenges he said he faces almost immediately is the new computer system for the office. The new system deals with a different mass appraisal that assessor's office staff must learn.
McLaughlin also said he's concerned about the staffing shortage of the office. Commissioners cut two jobs in the assessor's office this year.
He told commissioners he will go for re-election this year and again in 2006.
McLaughlin has been in the GIS department for 10 years, five of them as manager. He also worked in the assessor's office for two years as an appraiser and draftsman.
McLaughlin lives in Longview, is married and has one child. He is the treasurer of the Kelso Noon Rotary Club and is a graduate of the Lower Columbia Leadership Academy.
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