WSGVR’s Chinese New Year Celebration
Maria Elena Piedra, LACBOR’s Treasurer, and Andor Molnar, LACBOR’s President-Elect, attended the West San Gabriel Board of REALTORS® (WSGVR) Chinese New Year Celebration. The January 26 event celebrating the “Year of the Dragon” was held on Thursday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 at the WSGVR office, 1039 E. Valley Blvd, #205B, San Gabriel, CA 91776. The event included food, prizes, entertainment, and charity auctions. Yin Bihr is WSGVR’s 2012 President.
Andor with Yin Bihr, WSGVR President
Andor with Albert Tran, WSGVR Executive Officer
Maria Elena Piedra and Andor
SOURCE: Andor J. Molnar, RHI, CHI,
REALTOR®, Home Inspector DRE# 00888790
(818) 398 3116
www.Andor.Listingbook.com
LAPD Warning Against Hiring Unmanned Aircraft Operators for Aerial Photos
Los Angeles authorities have asked C.A.R. to communicate this warning to REALTORS® who hire unmanned aircraft operators to take aerial photographs for marketing high-end properties. Using these devices (also known as drones) for flight in the air with no onboard pilot may violate, among other things, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) policy on unmanned aircrafts, and Los Angeles’s local ordinance requiring permits for filming commercial motion pictures and still photographs.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) investigation has apparently revealed that aerial photos where unmanned aircraft were observed have appeared on certain real estate sales websites. According to Film L.A., the LAPD Air Division has issued this warning as it intends to prosecute violators in the near future. Film L.A. is a public benefit company created by the City and County of Los Angeles to manage film permit activity and related issues.
Under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s current policy, no one can operate an unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System without specific authority. Operators who wish to fly an unmanned aircraft for civil use must obtain an FAA experimental airworthiness certificate, which will not be issued to an unmanned aircraft used for compensation or hire. Although the FAA allows hobbyists to fly model airplanes for recreational purposes under specific guidelines, that authority does not extend to operators flying unmanned aircraft for business purposes. More information is available from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Notice on Unmanned Aircraft Operations at http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/site/R?i=F7v_Afz4hzZriFhj3GF0PQ and the FAA’s policy at
http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/site/R?i=necHXPMoo94DzEOdZAaRKQ
SOURCE: Realegal® is published by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Edited by Stella Ling, Email: StellaL@car.org
Weekly Update to Federal Political Coordinators
Please read this update in its entirety as it provides important information for FPCs on a variety of issues.
NAR 2012 Public Policy Priorities
Last week, during the Public Policy and Advocacy Conference here in Washington, DC, NAR Leadership unveiled the 2012 Public Policy Priorities. Please review them to understand each issue – you’ll be on the front lines helping to educate others. The Priorities list can be found on REALTOR.org: http://www.ksefocus.com/billdatabase/clientfiles/172/4/1423.pdf
Limited Target Call for Action
On Thursday, NAR sent a Call for Action (CFA) to roughly 255,000 REALTORS® asking them to contact Congress about a GSE and FHA fee that is being used to pay for the two-month payroll tax break that passed back in December (referred to as a “G-Fee”). This fee is a de facto tax increase on homeowners and bad for the already fragile housing market.
Congress is considering a ten-month extension of the payroll tax break, and REALTORS® need to speak up to ensure this G-Fee does not continue. If you are a REALTOR® living in any of the following states, you received the CFA: Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming. Your Senator was a target. Additionally, 23 Congressional Districts were targeted. If you live in one of these districts, you will see a CFA email.
We expect Congress to consider this tax break in the very near future, so if you did receive the CFA, please respond right away. If you have questions about the issue, please contact Tony Hutchinson at thutchinson@realtors.org.
FPC News
Judi Patriski, FPC for Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH10), was recently named REALTOR® of the Year by the Medina Board of REALTORS®. She also received a top honor as Ohio’s CRS Member of the Year. Congratulations Judi!
Richard Tegley, FPC for Rep. Mary Bono (CA45), was recently appointed as a Commissioner on the Tax Assessment Appeals Board of Riverside County (California) by the Riverside Board of Supervisors. In this position, he will assist the Code Enforcement Team with foreclosures in the city of Moreno Valley. Sounds like hard work Richard. Congratulations on your appointment!
Andy Donohue, FPC for Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA08), was recently honored as 2011 REALTOR® of the Year by the Bucks County Association of REALTORS®. He was recognized for all of his hard work on behalf of REALTORS®, including his role as FPC. Great job Andy!
Jeanette Tighe, FPC for Rep. John Tierney (MA06), was promoted to the position of Executive Assistant to the President for EXIT Realty Corporation USA. She started her new role on January 1. Moving on up Jeanette! Congratulations and we wish you every success in your new duties.
Ken Warden, FPC for Rep. Geoff Davis (KY04) was recently installed as President of the Northern Kentucky Association of REALTORS®. He was installed by his Congressman (now how’s that for an installation party?). Ken also serves as a state and national RPAC Trustee. Congratulations Ken and best wishes for a successful year!
Each week, we highlight a few FPCs sharing news with other FPCs around the country. Do you have something to celebrate? Perhaps a new family member, a new company opening, an award or other honor? Send that news to Laura Vogel (lvogel@realtors.org) and it will be used in an upcoming Weekly Message.
Tip of the week: FPCs who are members of the RPAC President’s Circle now have an extra perk! As we begin the first round of solicitations in 2012, President’s Circle members who are also FPCs are allowed to contribute their $500 directly to their assigned Member of Congress. You will receive credit for your President’s Circle commitment, while being able to directly support your Member of Congress’ reelection campaign. If you’re not yet a member of the RPAC President’s Circle and you’d like more information, please contact Lisa Friday Scott at lscott@realtors.org
SOURCE: REALTOR® Action Center
www.realtoractioncenter.com
