Hundreds of properties up for tax sale

Friday, October 9, 2009

GREENCASTLE -- The number of properties that will be up for sale at the Nov. 3 Putnam County Tax Sale will be large because a sale has not been held in the county for some time.

Under Indiana Code 6-1.1-25, Indiana's 92 counties have the authority to place liens on property, assume ownership of that property and sell it to recover delinquent taxes.

The last time a tax sale was held in Putnam County was in 2005. Putnam County Treasurer-Elect Sharon Owens said current Treasurer Janet Deaton was unable to get sales together the past few years due to "medical issues."

Owens said there are presently 744 properties listed for sale.

"There were 1,900 before we sent out courtesy letters," Owens said.

The letters Owens was referring to were sent out to property owners last spring, giving them the chance to pay their delinquent tax bills and avoid losing their properties.

The listing of properties first appeared in the Oct. 2 edition of the Banner Graphic. It appears again today and will be published one final time on Oct. 16.

"The number of properties that will actually be up for sale will likely be less than the 744, because people will pay their bills before the sale happens," Owens said.

The sale will take place at the Putnam County Courthouse and will begin at 10 a.m.

Owens said she plans to make yearly sales a priority so a sale of this magnitude does not have to be held again.

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  • Bondsman, valid questions, but we'll never get answers to these questions. Like why do our politicians in both houses in D.C only work 2.5 days per week and a partial year, but still enjoy the the overblown compensation that they receive? No wonder nothing gets done or takes forever. Most of our elected officials in this country just aren't getting the job done. They have a sense of elitism and entitlement. As far as information, it's all shuck and jive baby!!

    -- Posted by Hoosier n PA on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 9:31 AM
  • I think the problem is:(1) the people we elect take that position for granted and just want to collect a paycheck for as little work as possible(2) the majority of voters are more worried about entertainment tonite rather than picking up a newspapper or watching the 6 o'clock news to find out what is happening in their own backyard. The world would be a better place if on the informed would get involved.

    -- Posted by worrieddaddy on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 11:59 AM
  • I have a question. If the home has a mortgage and say you win your bid on a home what happens to the mortgage? Would you be liable to the bank?

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 6:33 PM
  • If she had health issues for that long of period of time and important duties were not being fulfilled, shouldn't she had to of stepped down and let someone take over that could do it?

    -- Posted by mad-mom on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, at 8:18 PM
  • Has Janet Deaton been sick for the last four years? Isn't there someone second in command that could have been doing something? Come on already!!!

    -- Posted by Georgianow on Sat, Oct 10, 2009, at 11:51 PM
  • Compassionate, I did not have anything to say about the commisioner. I was talking about politicians in general. You need to check your emotions at the door before making a comment. You also need some help in your reading comprehension skills. Grow up. I no longer live in the county or the state, so I am not privy to the details that you mention. But, I still care about my hometown. I hope the commisioner is well and recovered. You seem to be a family member or close friend, please give the commisioner my wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

    -- Posted by Hoosier n PA on Mon, Oct 12, 2009, at 9:07 AM
  • Why do people have to get so nasty on here??? I just do not understand what that solves.....it sure speaks volumes about this world.

    Janet Deaton has been battling cancer. She is not the only one in the world who has been through this...and I am sure those who posted know of others going through this who did NOT quit their jobs. They might have had to take a leave or some time off...and I am sure if they were ABLE to quit, they would have as this is a very serious disease to fight. But, they kept their jobs because they NEEDED them!!! Did you ever think of that? There are others in the treasurer's office who can assist with the job. It is not solely Janet's fault. I thought it was very unfair for them to put in the Banner that the tax sales didn't happen because of Janet's illness.....hmmmm, pass the buck, that seems to be the answer for anything that doesn't get done.

    And no, I am not related to Janet....I am just tired of seeing others drag people through the mud....I am sure Janet would have GLADLY traded having cancer for being able to not have had any time off of her job! Geesh, people---have some compassion!!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by John3:16 on Tue, Oct 13, 2009, at 8:25 AM
  • While I agree with a lot of the sentiment about elected officials, It is not the commissioners job or even the Dept of revenue's job to see that taxes are paid. IT IS THE PROPERTY OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY. My suggestion would be that if you don't want your property listed in a Tax Sale - pay your taxes!

    I do feel that all of us would pay less tax if EVERYONE who owns property had to pay. For instance, once a home is foreclosed and becomes the property of the leinholder, the leinholder does NOT pay property tax on it and the county/state loses revenue. I think if you own it, you should have to pay, whether you're a family or a bank. We'd have more money and the tax would be fair.

    -- Posted by countyboy on Sat, Oct 17, 2009, at 9:29 AM
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