FW: Rent control
Michele Gardner <[email protected]>
Tue 10/31/2023 5:34 PM
To:Fairfax Town Council <[email protected]> From: Maria Kennedy <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 3:51 PM
To: Tarrell Kullaway <[email protected]>; Brian Colbert <[email protected]>; Barbara Coler <[email protected]>; Michele Gardner <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Rent control
Yes, thank you. I did read it. It does sound reasonable in terms of procedures.
My last reply has more to do with new negative attitudes towards anyone renting out homes or rooms in Marin County. I feel it’s a good idea for Town Councils to be aware of this new animosity and divisiveness, currently generated by the DSA (their literature is accessible to all) which may result in fewer available rentals. Much of this animosity is generated by DSA literature. I believe the Fairfax mayor is an active DSA member. Obviously he’s free to join whatever group he wants and his beliefs are his own business. But I believe the beliefs and goals of Town politicians should be openly shared with constituents when it directly affects the Town- when it affects constituents’ finances, their ability to find or offer rental homes, and their feelings of safety and enjoyment in their home towns.
Sincerely
Maria Kennedy
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On Oct 31, 2023, at 1:46 PM, Tarrell Kullaway <[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Maria,
I think Councilmember Fineman’s statement does a really great job of explaining our approach:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11KitBrUVYYQHCNw47ZkcPijUkwFKm1At_ZQoBVqyuaY/mobil ebasic?mibextid=2JQ9oc
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From: Maria Kennedy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 10:58:54 PM
To: Tarrell Kullaway <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Rent control
CAUTION: External Sender
Thank you. We’re all hoping not to push small landlords out of renting rooms and homes to people who need rentals.
Homeowners are not the bad guys, whether they offer rental space or not.
We really don’t need more divisiveness right now. The DSA literature comes on very strong against private home ownership. Towns using the DSA for guidance should be communicative with constituents. If a council aligns with a political movement or group, the group’s goals are important and need to be discussed openly. Otherwise it leaves a silent back story to upset and divide people in town- as is the case in Fairfax.
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On Oct 30, 2023, at 6:44 PM, Tarrell Kullaway <[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Maria,
I really like Councilmember Fineman’s statement on this issue. You may find it useful https://docs.google.com/document/d/11KitBrUVYYQHCNw47ZkcPijUkwFKm1At_ZQoB VqyuaY/mobilebasic?mibextid=2JQ9oc
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From: Maria Kennedy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 4:15:06 PM
To: Tarrell Kullaway <[email protected]>
Cc: Eileen Burke <[email protected]>; Brian Colbert <[email protected]>
Subject: Rent control
CAUTION: External Sender
Hello.
I’m adding my voice to those wanting a town vote, in all Marin towns, before Town Council members add more rent control ordinances.
The ramifications are quite serious. In Fairfax it now takes so long to ask a tenant to leave, is so difficult and expensive - even if a family member needs to move in- that many people are no longer renting out their rooms or cottages.
We are preparing to sell two small Fairfax cottages for that very reason - cottages that have often housed local family members over the 40 years we’ve owned them. As we will now basically become handy-men for tenants who have lopsided rights and protections, and with the DSA labelling even small landlords ‘extractors’ oppressing the ‘workers’- we’ve had enough. (DSA literature and goals are publicly accessible, as are quotes from members of the Berkeley Rent Control Board, Fairfax’s proposed paid arbitration intermediaries.)
The new buyers most likely will take our cottages off the rental market. The Fairfax Council’s hasty actions and punitive attitudes towards rent-providing home owners and landlords have literally lost the town two small rentals. I hope San Anselmo takes time and includes current residents in making changes to rent control ordinances.
Thank You
Maria Kennedy
65 Oak Knoll Drive
San Anselmo
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