DeeDee Martinez wrote: I think Ms Farris made a completely valid point. Even though his intentions may have been perfectly sincere and honorable, the actions of the landlord seem only slightly on this side of legal. Is it so inconceivable that the other tenants would veto a new one because they "talked funny" or "I couldn't understand what they were saying?"
This could conceivably raise some eyebrows. There ARE laws against discrimination and I don't think the landlord can hide behind the fact that the other tenants didn't want them. Official "tenants associations" can screen (the famous Seinfeld episode covered that) but the criteria have to be specifically laid out. Litigious or no we are a nation of laws.
Again, I speak from the perspective of someone with a surname that immediately marks you for "special handling", even if my Cornish pasties are far superior to my arroz con pollo.
I think you have summed it up perfectly.
The questions that need to be asked.
If the tenants chose for a reason that is illegal then the landlord would be blamed and held liable.
Slightly on one side of legal is legal, and fair in my opinion.
There has to be mechanisms in place and I think there are where a landlord can rent for a price he seems fair. Not any price the renter wants. That a landlord can rent to a person he knows cannot take care of the property. That financially a landlords costs are covered. Think of where this slippery slope puts us. We are asking owners to keep their homes up, and asking them to take in those that might not help him achieve that? We are talking of fining landlords for nuisance renters but not letting them say no when they feel they might be nuisances?
Race should never fall into any discussion if you are not looking for a specific person. I know it sounds crazy but I do not understand how it finds it way into so many discussions here. Usually brought up by the person against racism? When we stop talking black and white it will stop being a delineating factor in life. Then and only then we will be one race, the human race.
To discriminate on race, gender, lifestyle, religion and beliefs is wrong and illegal. But we cannot afford to take away responsibility, financial viability, and just plan problem people.
These are good topics and questions for this period of time in Lakewood. We have many people calling for safety and better test scores. Another group screaming for no more taxes, another group bringing in various groups that can possible break many of the city services, and another couple groups bringing in groups that will for the short term bring down NCLB grades. Where does Lakewood go? What do Lakewoodites do?
Question: In Lakewood's tough job market where do we stand on bringing in 50 middle age males of any color you want to pick and promise them work, food, rent and support for at least 6 months?
Is it a promise we can even afford to make?
.
Section 8 is not code for black. I have met many people (all who were white) who have told me that they are recipients of Section 8.. People are not ashamed of the fact that they are on Government assistance. And you should be one to talk about people protesting too much.. Try not assuming that all white people are racist or that everyone on this board is white..