posted August 7, 2008
Interesting how the president of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors, Pam Duffy, casts aspersions upon Tennessee American Water Company for being "foreign-owned" when she and all of her fellow realtors are tripping over each other at the prospect of selling all of those expensive houses to that other foreign-owned company, Volkswagen.
What a wonderful example of Southern hospitality and short-sightedness on the part of the leadership of local realtors.
Ms. Duffy's comments come on the same day TVA announces a 25% rate increase - its third this year - and she doesn't even mention it.
Tennessee American's request pales to the power company's take-it-or-leave-it edict.
Richard Bernard
Collegedale
* * *
Mr. Bernard has made a misguided attack on the Chattanooga Association of Realtors and our joining of the community coalition speaking out against the proposed water rate hike. We support the Fight the Hike effort because water rate hikes are not beneficial in promoting the region to prospective relocators and keeping this a vibrant community. Yes, the Tennessee-American Water Company is foreign-owned but it is not the issue.
The issue is what the hike will mean to the quality of life in the Chattanooga area. Excessive and unexplained hikes do not positively contribute to the livability factor of any market. Unlike other areas, our local real estate market did not see unrealistic run ups in home prices, which priced people out of the dream of homeownership. With home prices both practical and affordable and a housing inventory filled with great choices, we’re sitting in an ideal market and we stand ready to welcome all those interested in seeing what makes this a great place to call home.
But draining the wallets of the people of this community with another water rate hike only hurts our viability. We’re taking this stand because it is the right thing to do keep the cost of living more affordable and the preserve the quality of life we enjoy.
Further, Mr. Bernard’s baseless attack is an affront to Realtor principles and our efforts to champion fair housing laws. Realtors play a vital role in ensuring fair housing for all and we stand on the front lines working with buyers and sellers to see that they receive and enjoy the benefits of a housing market free from discrimination. Both the Realtor Code of Ethics and the nation’s Fair Housing Act dictates equal service and makes it illegal to discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Inviting illegal barriers into the allowance of access to housing has no place in our industry. Just like inviting increased water rates has no place in our community.
Pam Duffy
President
Chattanooga Association of Realtors
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