New CBR web site is now up!
By Bob Miller
2003 President
Our new CBR web site went live on March 7 and I hope that, if you haven't already seen the site, you'll take a minute to visit and click through a couple pages.
The site was converted for a couple of reasons…First, the old site was developed using static html pages which, although the pages load slowly by today's standards, was quite the norm for a web site at the time we developed it. That said, we've grown accustomed to and now demand speed when surfing the web. Just a few years ago, we were impressed just to view a web page. Today, if we have to wait more than a few seconds, we're upset. So we switched to database technology, which was cost prohibitive to begin with, but has been refined so that we could take advantage of its superior speed and functionality.
As to content, we kept most of the old information and added some new pages. The new drop down menus should help you find what you are looking for easily. If not, use the new 'Search' function to search the site.
And remember that all CBR activities - classes, committee meetings, events, luncheons, etc. - are listed on the 'Events Calendar'. You can also register on-line for all CE classes and member events such as our two very special programs in April…
Awards Night - April 23 at the lovely Wyndham Dublin Hotel. On this evening, we'll honor our Broker, Salesperson, Citizen, Affiliate and Instructor of the Year. We'll also recognize those who have been CBR members for 25 and 50 years. Please join us. (See the flier inserted in this issue of the magazine.)
Danielle Kennedy Class - April 30 at the Arena Grand Theater. This is your opportunity to see one of the nation's premier speakers. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. For more info, see Gary Parsons article on page 9 and the flier (on the back of the Awards Night flier.)
March Legislative Conference
Nearly 400 Ohio REALTORS®, including over 100 CBR members (making CBR the largest contingent) attended the OAR Legislative Conference last month to discuss legislative issues affecting Ohio's property owners, and to meet with legislators to review issues of local concern.
Scott Borgemenke, political and policy consultant, and President of Strategic Policy Advisors, Columbus, served as the Conference keynote speaker. We also heard from: Representative Sally Conway Kilbane (R-Rocky River), Chairman, House Ways & Means Committee; Representative Ed Jerse (D-Euclid), Ranking Minority Member, House Finance Committee; Representative Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati), Ranking Member, Public Utilities Committee; Senator Bill Harris (R-Ashland), Chairman, Finance & Financial Institutions Committee; and Senator John Carey (R-Wellson), Vice Chairman, Senate Finance Committee.
In addition, Representative Jon Peterson (R-Delaware), and Senator Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) led an overview of the 125th General Assembly.
A special reception was held during the conference which included all of our state legislators.
Gov. Taft's Proposal to tax Real Estate Services
I'm sure it will come as no surprise that the hottest topic addressed during the Legislative Conference (as well as just about any REALTOR® gathering of late) was Gov. Taft's budget proposal which includes making real estate services subject to the Ohio sales tax. (I covered these proposals in detail in my article in last month's In Contract magazine.) The items proposed include title services, property management services, appraisals, property inspections and real estate commissions. The proposal also includes slashing the tax rollback on commercial properties which could really impair our struggling commercial market.
So what's the status? These proposals are currently a subject of debate in the legislature. If you have not already contacted your elected representative, you need to do so now. If you believe that taxing real estate commissions, but not legal services, accounting services or insurance commissions is unfair, write your lawmaker and let them know how you feel. If you believe, as I do, that cutting the commercial property tax rollbacks will place an unreasonable burden on our commercial property owners and consequently our entire commercial market, let them know.
For more information and to send a letter or e-mail to your elected leader, visit www.ProtectingTheAmericanDream.com. PLEASE do not delay!
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