May 13, 2008
Beware rental ghettos
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Williamsburg sails into uncharted waters in the City Council election May 6. As many as 1,500 newly registered voters will begin to assert themselves. In the words of student candidate Matt Beato, “with 1,500 votes we can do anything we want in the city.”
Their main concerns, as conveyed by the Flat Hat and other student media, focus on the city’s three-unrelated-renters rule and deed restrictions requiring owner occupancy of certain properties, stipulations interpreted by student renters as aimed primarily at them.
Waiting in the wings for a student-led voter revolt to force the repeal of such “unfair” regulations are absentee landlords and other property speculators who stand to benefit financially from any loosening of city ordinances. Some notoriously negligent landlords have exposed themselves by supporting or attacking specific candidates for City Council. Shrewder rental property investors include a candidate for City Council and a family member. Other potential profiteers prefer to watch and wait in silence.
If a student-led voter revolution is launched May 6, neighborhoods adjacent to the college could soon degenerate into renter ghettos, shunned by resident homeowners. This scenario is unfortunately typical in scores of college towns across the country.
Among the six candidates for City Council, Clyde Haulman, Paul Freiling and Judy Knudson have demonstrated an awareness of the fragile relationship between owner-occupied and absentee-landlord properties in downtown Williamsburg and the potential threat to the quality of life in these communities should a precarious ratio tip even further in favor of absentee landlords.
Haulman has distinguished himself during his eight years on council for championing a calm, fair and balanced approach to addressing the needs of Williamsburg’s diverse constituencies, while protecting and preserving the quality of life in the city. During his four years on council, Freiling has also shown a commitment to safeguarding neighborhoods. Knudson, with her many years of dedicated public service, has made her position clear as well.
Haulman, Freiling and Knudson deserve our support. The future of downtown Williamsburg hangs in the balance.
Craig Canning
Nelson Avenue
Williamsburg
Copyright © 2008, The Virginia Gazette
