[StBernard] Accountant Ross Gonzales will campaign for St. Bernard Parish assessor

[Westley Annis]

Accountant Ross Gonzales will campaign for St. Bernard Parish assessor

Published: Thursday, August 25, 2011, 5:15 PM     Updated: Thursday, August
25, 2011, 5:29 PM

By Times-Picayune Staff 

Ross Gonzales has announced his candidacy for St. Bernard Parish assessor in
the October election.

Gonzales, a certified public accountant, is a lifelong St. Bernard resident
and a graduate of Chalmette High School and the University of New Orleans.
He began his CPA practice in 1982.

In a news release announcing his candidacy, Gonzales promised "to treat all
property owners fairly, responsibly and with integrity in administering the
property tax laws."

He said he would "fight to preserve the current homestead exemption" and
would support any legislation to increase it.

Gonzales promised to be a full-time assessor, "readily accessible at all
times during normal business hours without an appointment."

He said his experience as a CPA gives him the skills necessary to understand
and sufficiently evaluate the financial reports of the commercial and
industrial entities that make up a substantial portion of the parish's
property tax base.

Gonzales said he was inspired by stories he heard from his father about his
great-grandfather, Ambroise C. Gonzales, who was parish assessor from 1897
to around 1917.

Gonzales is married to Peggy Delise Gonzales, and they have three children.
He has coached sports in St. Bernard Parish recreation department for many
years.

The election will be Oct. 22. A runoff, if necessary, will be Nov. 19.
Longtime Assessor Marlene Vinsanau is not seeking re-election.