Letters to the editor

Monterey County Herald
Posted on May 27, 2007

Realtors get bad rap

As president of the Monterey County Association of Realtors, I've heard the false accusations from LandWatch and proponents of Measure A. We've been mischaracterized as money-grabbing people, only interested in increasing our commissions. According to Chris Fitz of LandWatch, "They typically use farmers as spokespeople, but the big money comes from the Los Angeles Realtors who simply want to pave over farmland to build subdivisions." This is simply NOT true!

Measure A is too restrictive and erodes our private property rights, the very premise Realtors value. For that reason, and upon our request, the California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC contributed $150,000 to NO on A. These monies are voluntary contributions from our Realtor members.

Our members are caring, ethical, generous citizens.

Realtors support affordable housing for our hard-working families, and have raised and donated over $300,000 to local charities, most of which is used to assist with affordable housing. Measure A inhibits the number of affordable units needed in the next 25 years.

I trust your readers will take note and reject the false accusations made about Realtors.

Arliene Beesley
Monterey