10.19.05 –
LVAR Hosts “Vote NO Transfer Tax Increase” Rally in Allentown
LVAR’s “Vote NO Transfer Tax Increase” campaign is in full swing. On Wednesday, REALTORS® volunteered their time and rallied at Harvey Raad REALTORS® (Board President George Raad’s office) in Allentown to urge voters to vote against the Transfer Tax ballot question on Election Day.
On November 8th, voters in Allentown will be asked if they want to increase the Transfer Tax. President Raad spoke on behalf of LVAR, and urged all those who are registered voters in Allentown to vote no.
“We’re here today because REALTORS® care about Allentown. REALTORS® care about protecting the future of homeownership and helping every citizen achieve the American Dream,” Raad said.
“This isn’t a political issue – it’s not a Republican or Democrat issue – it’s a homeownership issue,” Raad said.
Those in attendance were energized, holding up signs and cheering in support of the campaign. The event drew local media coverage and Representative Jennifer Mann’s (D – Allentown) Chief of Staff, Peter Schweyer.
“On behalf of the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS®, we’re urging you to vote no to the transfer tax increase on November 8th – Section 807(B) of the Home Rule Charter. Please be clear that we are not asking you to vote against the fifty-two dollar Emergency Municipal Service Tax,” Raad concluded.
Yard signs were distributed to volunteers at the rally to be put up across the City. Along with yard signs, LVAR has implemented an intensive campaign through the use of various media outlets. Allentown residents will find the “Vote No Transfer Tax” logo across the City on billboards, bus-boards, newspaper ads, television commercials and mailings.
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10.18.05 -
LVAR Conducts Candidate Interviews for Allentown Mayoral Race
As part of expanding our involvement and influence in the area of Government Affairs, the LVAR Candidate Screening Committee conducted candidate interviews on September 26th for the open seat race for Mayor of the City of Allentown. View the candidate’s responses by clicking here.
Three candidates are vying for the position:
** (Mr. Molovinsky was not available to participate in the candidate interviews)
The purpose of the candidate interview was to help LVAR members better understand each candidates position on issues of concern to REALTORS® and the real estate industry in general. After the candidate interviews, the Candidate Screening Committee reviewed each candidate's responses, then analyzed and discussed their findings in order to determine which candidate LVAR would endorse.
One of the most important elements to LVAR’s candidate interview is that it is conducted without partisanship. All questions and determinations reflected a direct interest in real estate, private property, and the Association as a whole.
After closely evaluating each of the candidate’s answers provided in the initial questionnaire and given during the interview, the Candidate Screening Committee was not able to reach a clear consensus on which candidate to endorse. The Committee agreed that both candidates posses a strong knowledge of the issues currently facing the City, and have satisfactory positions on many issues related to the real estate industry. The Committee also felt that their lack of consensus is representative of the entire membership.
Therefore, the Committee determined that it is in the best interest of the entire Association to abstain from endorsing a candidate. The Candidate Screening Committee believes it is more important to focus on building a constructive dialogue to ensure that whichever candidate is successful will work closely with our members.
The Candidate Screening Committee is encouraging all members who are registered voters in the City of Allentown to vote on Election Day (November 8th). The Candidate Screening Committee also wants to help LVAR members make a more informed decision, and therefore are making available the candidate responses given during the interviews.
Click here to view the candidate’s responses.
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