The same day I read Richie Chevet’s excellent piece on rent control in Montclair Local I received a “Dear Homeowner” letter from the Montclair Property Owners Association. It informed me that supporting the proposed rent control law would “subsidize” new residents resulting in higher taxes for “every” small homeowner. I guess that means me. I’ve also been informed that single-family property taxes will go up while “tenants would pay nothing.” I and my fellow homeowners would “absorb every dime.”
For the record, as a homeowner, the Montclair Property Owners Association does not represent me. This flyer is a despicable attempt to divide Montclair against itself. The “facts” in the flier are misleading nonsense. If we, as Montclarians, believe that our economically and ethically diverse community is worth preserving, then we must get behind rent control and protect our fellow citizens who cannot afford high-end market rentals.
Contrary to what the Montclair Property Owners Association would have us believe, rent control does not mean giving renters a free ride and certainly does not mean that homeowners such as myself will lose every one of our dimes.
We moved to Montclair to take advantage of its diversity. Let’s help keep it that way.
David Grill
Montclair
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