REALTORS® in Action provides you with the latest news in Government Affairs at the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS®. Keep checking back for updated information, and view prior months Action by clicking on any of the links to the left.

8.22.07 Victory for Property Owners! After more than two years of debate, the Lower Mount Bethel Township supervisors by a 3-1 vote said no to a controversial 90-10 land proposal that limited farmers to selling only 10 percent of their land for development. Since early 2006 LVAR has been actively opposing the Ordinance and adopted an official policy statement outlining the objections to it. LVAR’s Government Affairs Director also provided testimony at a public hearing held earlier this year. Supervisors Patrick Rissmiller, Charles Palmeri, and James Palmeri voted against the Ordinance, while Supervisor Alfred DeFelice supported it. Supervisor Luis Santiago was absent. With this victory, LVAR has successfully helped protect the private property rights of landowners in Lower Mount Bethel Township, and also preserved land values. REALTORS® and property owners can enjoy the victory for now, but must remain vigilant as Supervisors are already prepared to re-look at this issue and possibly introduce a 70-30 plan in the near future. 8.20.07 Reassessment Debate now Online   If you didn't have an opportunity to watch the reassessment debate live on "Business Matters" back in May, you can now view it online by clicking here. Watch LVAR Government Affairs Director Ryan Conrad defend LVAR's support of a countywide reassessment in a lively exchange with Northampton County Councilman Ron Angle. Decide for yourself who really got their point across! Simply visit the wesbiteabove and scroll down the pageand click on "Northampton Reassessment." This is a debate you won't want to miss! You can read LVAR's policy statement in support of a countywide reassessment by clicking here. You can also read about why LVAR opposes point of sale reassessments (aka ‘spot’ reassessments by clicking here).