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Opinion
Nov. 21 - Dec. 4, 2009 37
Community
Commentary
Families benefit from new home ownership chances
by Councilmember Trinity Donovan The funding, about $1.5 million, will be used buyers.
Earlier this year I wrote specifically to allow Newtown to purchase, Of course, we would encourage a long-term
about a new homeownership rehabilitate and resell up to 17 foreclosed properties relationship and homeowners are allowed to live
opportunity in Chandler that in the central Chandler area. In fact one of the new in their houses indefinitely and are entitled to pass
allows first-time buyers to owners is disabled and the program allowed for them down to heirs. Unlike rentals, the Community
purchase homes at considerably several enhancements to be made to help him Land Trust model also provides the benefit of stable
reduced prices. The Chandler move about the house more freely. monthly payments and security from eviction.
Community Land Trust, a This program offers the opportunity for more Additionally, Newtown will provide education and
partnership between the City affordable homes, while reducing the number support throughout the process.
of Chandler and the Tempe-based nonprofit of foreclosed properties. That means the Potential buyers can receive counseling to pre-
Newtown Community Development Corporation, neighborhood will remain more stable over time as qualify for a 30-year fixed loan. A minimum down
is now in place and families are moving into their pride of ownership is retained in the area. payment of 1 percent is also required at the time
first homes. There is still an opportunity for residents to of purchase, although Newtown offers a generous
This program enables people to finance only the submit an application. Those looking to qualify program to assist those in need.
cost of the structure. Newtown retains ownership must be first-time homebuyers – according to As I mentioned, Newtown will also rehabilitate
of the land and leases it out to homebuyers who in HUD, that means you can’t have owned property in the house to improve its aesthetics and make
turn have exclusive rights over it. So far, two families the past three years – and have a qualifying income it energy efficient. Major systems such as water,
have benefited from this new partnership. Funded level, based on your family size. For example, the electric, heating and air conditioning units are
by federal neighborhood stabilization program annual household income for a family of four needs often replaced. If this sounds like an opportunity
through the Department of Housing and Urban to fall between $51,350 and $77,050 Applicants must you would like to know more about, call the City’s
Development (HUD), Chandler has identified a also live in the homes, as renting is not allowed. If Community Development Division at 480-782-
specific area of the community that was particularly the homeowners decide to sell the house, they 3214. It’s the perfect way to get you started toward
hard hit with foreclosures. The boundaries are Elliot are entitled to a profit margin of 25 percent of owning a place to call your own.
Road and Chandler Boulevard; Arizona Avenue and the appreciation. The remaining 75 percent stays
Alma School Road. with the property – making it affordable for future
Letters
to the
Editor
Education budgets
education’s budget – there is fat The 9th Amendment states the call the fire department. Although
bloated, cut the fat
everywhere. Also, promote charter rights of citizens are not limited to not stated in the Constitution, it
Gov. Brewer stated recently that
schools and vouchers if you really the Constitution just because they is a service determined to be for
the state might have to cut essential
want our state to excel in education. are not named. The 10th Amendment the public good. Supreme Court
services and education. What a
Glenn Hamp, Las Casitas del Sur allows the states and the people to decisions have established the
novel concept. Of course there is
delegate the rights they so choose. right to privacy, even though it is
plenty of room in all areas to reduce.
Health care, That is what state constitutions not mentioned in the Constitution.
According to the Annual Report
education a right are for. Read Article 11 of the However, if you have a life-
of the Arizona Superintendent of
This letter is in response to Arizona Constitution, which basically threatening injury or illness and
Public Instruction, school districts
Dennis Riswold’s letter, “Political states that public education is cannot afford the exorbitant costs
in 2008 had revenues from all
parties and spending.” a right and must be free. needed to treat your illness, you
sources of $9,232,916,095.
Mr. Riswold, have you actually I would blame you for not reading could lose your life. Some people
In that report, you can see that
read the Constitution before? If so, these documents yourself, but have lost their life savings and their
Arizona school districts in 2008
you would not need to ask “where you mentioned you watch Fox home trying to pay medical bills.
had 951,117 students. Do the math
in the United States Constitution News. A recent Wall Street Journal The Constitution does state that
and you find that Arizona school
does it state that education and poll found Fox News viewers to no person shall be deprived of
districts had resources of $9,707
health care reform are rights?” be the most uninformed people life, liberty, or property. If a person
per child. If an average classroom
Let us see what the Constitution in the country when it comes to has paid insurance premiums, and
has 22 students, that yields about
has to say about it. No, health recent issues like health care. a for-profit insurance company
$214,000 per classroom. Most
care is not specifically addressed Try a fact-based news channel denies them coverage because of
people don’t realize this. I was
in name, nor are a multitude like PBS. In the meantime, read an unrelated pre-existing condition,
shocked to learn this because you
of rights. However, the general the Constitution, and read what is that not depriving them of their
constantly hear that the schools
welfare of citizens of the United some of our founding fathers rights? Health care is a right to life
don’t have enough money.
States is addressed in the General had to say about these issues. issue, and without this most basic
Another interesting fact: Arizona’s
Welfare Clause. This general You might learn something. right, no other rights can exist.
total government spending per
welfare is mentioned several Matthew Glosser, Muriel Jones, 85286
capita is more than most other
times, and it is the duty of the Southern Chandler
states including Nevada, Colorado
federal government to promote it.
and California. That’s right.
Levying a tax is a mandate to Health care right Letters to the Editor
We know you have an opinion! Share it
Arizona’s government spends
promote the general welfare. I to life issue
with the SanTan Sun News. Unless you’re the
more per person than California.
believe keeping citizens healthy Concerning the health care
Mayor, however, please keep your Letters to
Memo to the governor: We
and alive would fall under their debate, I would like to clarify that the editor around 200-300 words, or they may
be edited for length. Include your first and
don’t want to buy your overpriced
general welfare, wouldn’t you? there are many implied rights not
last name, community or development name in
services and education that
Education, too, is not named expressly stated in the Constitution
Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo,
you are forcing upon us.
specifically, though it was discussed that the courts and the legislature Sun Groves, etc.) or ZIP code and daytime phone
number for verification. Anonymous letters are
I can never figure out why
extensively by our founding fathers. have determined to be for the
not typically accepted. Email is the preferred
politicians think they have a right
It too, seems to fall under this public good. I am sure you enjoy
submission method, to Letters@SanTanSun.com.
to balance the budget by putting a
General Welfare Clause, but it gets many of these implied rights. Opinions expressed in Community
Commentaries, Letters to the editor or cartoons
greater tax burden on the citizens
even more specific than that. If your house catches on fire and
are those of the author, and not that of the
instead of reducing services. Cut
your life is in danger, you would
SanTan Sun News.
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