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SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 4: How Diverse Communities View Property Rights

The conversation focuses on the perspectives of immigrant and minority property owners regarding the American Dream, and whether that dream remains viable given the looming threat of the rent control ballot initiative in Massachusetts. Can owners build generational wealth when their businesses are threatened? What happens when property owners can no longer keep up with rising operating costs, and when they are hindered from running their businesses safely and from even selling their properties at a fair price? The panelists representing these communities address the challenges faced by people who came to America to escape government overreach upon their property rights, only to find the same threats here.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the presentation with an esteemed panel, including Melvin Vieira (Past President, Greater Boston Association of Realtors), Marita Palavicini (Property Owner, East Boston), Jason Pan (Founder, Boston Asian Landlord Association), and Demetrios Salpoglou (CEO, Boston Pads).

SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 3: Medford City Council Candidate Fights Rent Control

Topics include the attorney general’s certification of the rent control ballot question for the 2024 election in Massachusetts. Like Dr. Frankenstein, the proponents of this question have attached other bad housing ideas to this proposal, thus creating a monster that will destroy housing production. If passed, this will harm both owners and tenants by preventing property owners from keeping up with rising operating expenses, making reasonable rent increases, and removing noncompliant tenants when warranted, as properties fall into disrepair. The proposal will also obstruct owners from selling their properties at a fair price, and in a timely manner, while obstructing average buyers from purchasing and investing in rental property. It will further impose restrictions upon condo conversion and eliminate broker fees. The panel discusses the abuses of rent control boards from past experiences and the consequences for the City of Medford, among other cities and towns in Massachusetts. The impact of rising costs and energy policy in running properties efficiently are also discussed.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the presentation with a great panel, including Melanie Tringali (a property owner running for Medford City Council) and Demetrios Salpoglou (CEO of Boston Pads).

Please donate $75, $125, $250, $500, $1,000, or whatever you can afford at www.spoa.com/join
By donating to SPOA, you will advocate for reasonable housing policies that benefit owners and tenants alike, while protecting your properties and your property rights.

We must also assemble a group of volunteers to help with our campaign by leading efforts in each city and town in Massachusetts, and eventually every precinct. Please contact SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, by phone at 617-354-5533, or email at askspoa@gmail.com to help.

Our businesses and livelihoods are at stake, along with the health and prosperity of our communities. We can’t afford to sit this battle out. Please join us today!

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Meeting notes and agenda can be found here: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/2087

TV on TV – Tommy Vitolo Interviews Jesse Hefter

Tommy Vitolo closes out the Candidate Series with Jesse Hefter, candidate for the Brookline School Committee. Jesse’s varied career has given him experience working with all kinds of people. If elected, he hopes to work with the School Committee on some big projects, like bringing fiber optic connectivity to Brookline and finalizing a policy on hate speech. Jesse and Tommy discuss de-leveling as a way of advocating for all students. In Jesse’s opinion, by the time students enter 9th grade, there should be no surprises about their education and what works for them. Jesse also talks about his experience campaigning and how the best part has been meeting new people in all corners of Brookline.

To learn more about Jesse and his campaign, visit https://jesseforbrookline.com/

Polls are open 7am to 8pm on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024. Be sure to tune into BIG’s live coverage of the results, starting at 7pm!