12.4.07   2008 RPAC OFF TO GREAT START! Over $6,800 raised at “Champagne & Diamonds” RPAC fundraiser Once again, LVAR hosted the “Champagne & Diamonds” fundraiser for the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) at the new and exciting Champagne & Diamonds Gala at the Hotel Bethlehem. While at the Gala, members of the Association had the opportunity to participate in this exciting RPAC fundraiser. Those who contributed $100 to 2008 RPAC automatically became a $99 Club member, which entitles them to having their name printed in the Pennsylvania REALTOR® - the monthly periodical published by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®. What’s more, members who contributed $100 to 2008 RPAC received a glass of champagne with either a cubic zirconia or a .90 carat high quality diamond valued at over $4,000. A professional jeweler was on site to test the stones after dinner to see who had the real one. Excitement was in the air as each contributor lined up to have their diamond tested by the professional jewelers Keith and Margaret Hess of Hess Jewelers (Whitehall). Fady Salloum of Century 21 Pinnacle in Bethlehem, who was one of the last members in line to get his stone tested, was the lucky recipient! Just as in years past, the event was another big success! The generosity of those 43 LVAR members who contributed to RPAC can take credit for helping raise $6,825 toward our 2008 goal! To learn more about RPAC, or to make a safe contribution online, click here. Congratulations to Fady, whose generous $200 contribution to 2008 RPAC earned him a .90 carat diamond valued at $4,200 and membership into the RPAC Capitol Club. Also, special thanks to Hess Jewelers for providing LVAR with a high quality diamond for the fundraiser and testing the stones at the event. Contact Hess Jewelers for all your jewelry needs at (610) 433-4000.   “Champagne & Diamonds” Participants: Crystal R ($2,500; $1,500 annually to sustain) George Raad Capitol Club ($200-$499) Luis Campos Tom Flad Laura Hill Joseph McGavin Usha Patel Jeanette Perruso Peter Ramos Sam Royer Fady Salloum Susan Seidel Christopher Zajacek 99 Club ($99-$199) Steven Yost Catherine Amant Karen Basak-Carey Marc Blau Sally Boberski Pamela Burzynski Marcella Carter Thomas Demshock Donna Freda-Hertzog Skeeter Fry Toni Geentiens Anthony Innarella Deborah Journey Gay Krauss Richard Lewis Todd Linn Richard Martin Joan Martin Mark Molchany David Norwillo Anthony Ramos Frank Renaldi, Jr. Carlos Ribau John Rutherford Margaret Schaffer Dennis Snell Bruce Stimmel Linda Stocklas William Stoerrle Gina Tomlinson Alan Zavacky 12.3.07   LVAR Makes Impact on Local Elections   LVAR support for candidates in local elections on November 6 fared well against their opponents, with 13 of 17 LVAR-supported candidates victorious on Election Day. This fall, LVAR undertook an exhaustive interview process to identify REALTOR®-friendly candidates for the November 6 municipal elections. A total of 34 local elections were targeted by LVAR leadership. And in September, the Candidate Screening Committee (CSC) met face-to-face with 26 candidates running for various offices in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. The Association’s goal was to identify candidates who will take the time to understand the needs and concerns of REALTORS® and real estate consumers. Candidates were asked a series of non-partisan, real estate related questions. Results were then posted on the members-only website, http://www.lvar.org/, to assist members heading to the polls on Election Day. Additionally, all members received in the mail an LVAR Voter Guide which listed all 17 LVAR-supported candidates. Members can read more by logging on to their members-only website, http://www.lvar.org/. Simply click on “Government Affairs” then “2007 Municipal Elections.” Successful LVAR-Supported Candidates   Lehigh County Commissioner: Dean Browning (R)   Northampton County Council: At-Large: Peg Ferraro (R) District 1: Ann McHale (D) District 2: Michael Dowd (R) District 3: Lamont McClure, Jr. (D) District 4: Ron Angle (R)   Allentown City Council: Peter Schweyer (D)   Allentown Controller: William Hoffman (D)   Bethlehem City Council: Bob Donchez (D) Gordon Mowrer (D)   Bethlehem Controller: Meg Holland (R)   Easton City Council: Jeffrey Warren (D)   Easton Mayor: Sal Panto (D)