Ethics fine a black eye for Realtors

I am a proud member of the Georgia Association of Realtors (GAR). Members are bound by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice set forth by the National Association of Realtors. We are required to take an ethics course and pass a written test on the code every four years. This requirement protects the public and helps maintain the collective integrity of Realtors.

GAR promotes professionalism in a variety of ways, including offering outstanding educational programs and other benefits to realtors. We have a Political Action Committee (GARPAC) which promotes issues and supports political candidates in the interest of consumers and real estate professionals. I have contributed to GARPAC 22 consecutive years because our PAC funds have almost always been spent wisely.

The Association was fined $80,000 earlier this year by the State Ethics Commission for failure to disclose GARPAC contributions of $585,000 in the last election cycle as required by law.

The evidence must have been overwhelming because GAR agreed to pay the largest fine ever levied by the State Ethics Commission as part of a consent agreement rather than contest the findings of the commission .

It seems the GAR staff and leadership may not have lived up to the standards expected of rank and file members.

The most troubling part of this story was the channeling of more than $200,000 in undisclosed funds to a third party, which paid for advertising in support of Casey Cagle for lieutenant governor.

The third party was an independent committee known as “Realtors for Cagle.” A spokesman for the Cagle campaign for lieutenant governor denied, during the State Ethics Commission investigation, any connection between the Cagle campaign and Realtors for Cagle.

I have no problem with my political action committee supporting Casey Cagle. I voted for him two years ago and may do it again. However, we should have contributed the money directly to his campaign and disclosed it in a timely fashion.

I think the undisclosed third party maneuver was utilized to avoid offending Jim Martin, Cagle’s less electable Democratic opponent. Martin has been a friend of Realtors for many years. Someone should have known to follow the law rather than play silly political games.

Why was there no disclosure of contributions in excess of $585,000? The explanation that some call a fairy tale goes like this:

There was a computer software mix-up in the Finance Department of GAR and the campaign disclosure report never got filed. It was a computer error. The responsible middle management person was fired and controls were put in place to insure that it doesn’t happen again ... end of story!

I reluctantly accept this explanation and hope this sorry situation will not be repeated as things get hot and heavy during the next election cycle. Rank and file Realtors in Georgia don’t need another black eye!

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My random and unrelated thoughts of the month:

There are indications that H. C. “Skip” Clark, the new Peachtree City police chief, is doing a good job. Morale among the officers seems high and I appreciate the stepped up enforcement efforts on the cart path system and public roads.

I have reservations about the new twelve-hour shifts for patrol officers. There is potential for increased stress and fatigue during the last three hours of such a long shift. Stress and fatigue can lead to mistakes on the job. The good part of the three and one-half-day work week is that officers can have more time with families and more down-time to relax. This might compensate for the fatigue factor.

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What is going on with the Chamber? The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce has no official position on ESPLOST, the proposed sales tax increase, but leadership is quietly supporting and promoting the issue. A new tax during an economic slowdown is not good for business.

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The Peachtree City Council consists of five well-meaning and honorable public servants despite disagreements and widely publicized 3-2 votes. I have two complaints to direct their way.

First, Council should not have placed the proposed skating rink on the November ballot. It is a bad idea based on bad finance. The proposed private partner (or tenant) should have been required to bring at least $1.5 million cash to the table on this $10 million deal.

If the city doesn’t want an equity partner, the $1.5 million should be put in escrow to protect the taxpayers against any potential default in the lease arrangement.

Second, I am puzzled by the city’s refusal to require owners of vacant commercial lots in the Lexington Circle development to cut down weeds, level the large mound of dirt, and remove the damaged silt fence.

It is an unsightly mess which reflects negatively on our quality of life. Let us not forget that quality of life makes citizens “Plan to Stay.”

[Scott Bradshaw, a resident of Peachtree City, is a real estate broker and residential real estate developer. He may be contacted at rand5474@bellsouth.net.]