The political climate of our country, as well as the world, is taking center stage these days. Through TV, phones and social media, people are becoming more and more aware of the issues that affect their day-to-day lives without being provided the kind of news and information that would enable them to make an informed decision.
This often disconnects us from one another. It’s disappointing that various entities are manipulating the information they’re providing us in a way that keeps us at odds with one another.
All of us have views about which we feel strongly. One of my interests bridges activities taking place in Washington, D.C., and politics here at home. While the talking heads on our national networks might catch our attention as they battle to see who can speak the loudest, the issues that impact most of us day-to-day take place at the local level.
These are the discussions that shape zoning ordinances, provide adequate infrastructure and regulate environmental issues.
In previous columns, I’ve outlined the work of our Governmental Affairs Committee, which monitors local policies that might impact the right to own, use and transfer real property.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors also engages in these local issues through our Realtors Political Action Committee and RPAC Trustees. Our members who serve on these important committees encourage Realtors to vote, act and invest on behalf of consumers to protect and promote private property rights.
The RPAC Committee solicits peers for RPAC investments, which are used to support pro-Realtor political candidates or policies that build strong communities, protect property interests and promote a vibrant business environment.
Our RPAC Trustees work alongside the RPAC Committee as they interview candidates that are running for office. The purpose of these interviews is to determine the candidate’s stance on issues that affect the real estate industry and educate them on said issues and the views of Realtors.
As a result of these collective efforts, the Realtor Party (a powerful alliance of Realtors and Realtor associations that works to advance public policies and candidates that build strong communities, protect property interests and promote a vibrant business environment) provides financial support to a candidate or a public policy initiative.
It’s important to note that the Realtor Party is non-partisan. While its individual members might be aligned with one party or another, when the party takes a position, it’s neither red nor blue.
Rather, the Realtor Party stays focused on supporting candidates and issues based on real estate while setting aside personal agendas and party affiliations. Before servicing their two-year terms, RPAC Trustees complete training that outlines and identifies the structure and purpose of the group and how to conduct healthy and productive interviews with candidates.
As we enter the 2022 political season, we need to understand that this election cycle is of unprecedented importance. Local residents have never had the opportunity to vote on so many seats at so many levels.
Realtors are thrilled to be a part of such an exciting time for our community. Our trustees and other members will not take these challenges lightly as they advocate for candidates who support protecting and promoting private property rights. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is a regional organization with more than 2,500 members servicing Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The Association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 2,700 users.