The Observation Deck

Danielle Masters wrote:It is funny to me that I hear people say that renters have no vested interest in the city. We are currently renting, although it is temporary. I feel that I am an involved citizen and I know of many people who are renters and are very involved. Mostly what I hear is that renters don't care about issues because they aren't paying property taxes. That argument is just ridiculous. Even though I don't write out a check I am still paying property taxes, our landlord certainly is not paying them out of his own pocket. I must also add that I have never felt like a lower class citizen on this board due to my renter status, it is mainly at public forums that I feel and hear the renter hater statements. I just hope people realize that due to the nature of Lakewood citizens not everyone here will be a property owner.

Danielle

No no vested interest, less of a vested interest. And this was a wide sweeping generalization. As I pointed out as a renter I was still involved in all aspects of this city. I proceeded to open my business than bought.

For the record, I know of many renters that are great for the city. They have kids in the schools, and take part in the process.

I like renters, was one myself, and now rent space for my businesses.

It was a poorly worded generalization.

Sorry.


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Jim:

I was the one that brought it up; however, I did not attribute it to you or anyone in particular. You are the one that chose to state that those were your words, but if you are going to be big enough to admit that you said it - then please do not spin it off and minimize the actual verbage of your statement. You asked if I owned property in Lakewood, assumed incorrectly that I did not, and then accused me of being able to stand on some moral high ground because I had no vested interest in this city.

You asked if you were wrong.

The answer as far as I am concered is yes... on all counts.

I dared to disagree with you and was soundly insulted and criticized.

Bravo - you'd make a fine politician.

Charyn.

Charyn


Of course your correct.


peace


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No no vested interest, less of a vested interest. And this was a wide sweeping generalization. As I pointed out as a renter I was still involved in all aspects of this city. I proceeded to open my business than bought.

For the record, I know of many renters that are great for the city. They have kids in the schools, and take part in the process.

I like renters, was one myself, and now rent space for my businesses.

It was a poorly worded generalization.

Sorry.

Jim, not a problem, I understood what you were saying. I was just pointing out that both renters and homeowners could be either actively involved or apathetic.

Danielle

Of course both can be bad. I have a homeowner next to me that I am sure makes 99.9% of any renter in Cleveland seem like a dream.

Generalizations rarely work.

As DL pointed out to me, that most parents have a much more vested interest in the city schools than I do. I do not take it as a slam because I have no kids, nor that I was very active in tax levies, and now working with the school on other issues. I did not hang my head in shame. To me that is a very simple fact.

As pointed out again by me. I am a landlord and a renter. I love renters and think it has very little to do with mental make-up, or what they offer. That would just be ignorant. I do think when it comes to taxes, and property values their interests may drift a little from mine.

But it is only my opinion. I hope that I can still share that on this board.

peace


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Thank you very much, Ken, for the info and links!

Doug

Speaking as someone that grew up in a rental family, I think Jim's generalization is correct. Renters tend not to follow local issues and campaigns as closely as homeowners.

My twenty-something co-workers, for example, would not know Tom George from George Costanza. I am quite sure they are typical of the younger adults that live in town right out of college. Unless they are friends or relatives of a particular candidate, they tend not to care.

The same applies to older folks, too. My father, may he rest in peace, was an avid lifelong democrat that actively supported state and national candidates over the years. He closely watched national and state issues, and was passionate in his opinions. He proudly supported candidates for Congress, Senate, Governor and President.

However, when we moved to Lakewood in 1983, he never cared who the mayor or council were. I doubt he bothered to vote in the odd-year elections.

I suspect that local voting trends bear this out. I bet if you look at off-year elections, you will see higher turnout in owner-occupied precincts relative to rental-heavy precincts.

Senior citizens, however, vote heavily whether they rent or own.