Distinguishing Marks
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) proclaimed U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., its first-ever "Distinguished Champion of Housing Opportunities" last week at the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce‘s annual congressional luncheon in Acushnet.
According to MAR’s presser, "Chairman Frank received the proclamation from the association for his tireless work and support for legislation and regulations to ensure a robust and sustainable housing market."
Robust and sustainable housing market? Is that what this is? Perhaps the Teller is missing something.
It sure seems like Frank did in 2003, when he denounced and battled against plans for a new regulatory agency proposed by the Bush administration to oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In an article in The New York Times from Sept. 11, 2003, Frank is quoted saying, "These two entities – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – are not facing any kind of financial crisis. The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."
Well there is plenty of affordable housing now, that’s for sure, if you don’t mind buying or renting mold-ridden abandoned buildings. As for pressure on the companies … you mean like bankruptcy?
Yes, Frank was a key voice in pushing through the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund, a crucial part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008; that is why he won this award.
"As chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, he is working hard to support the housing market and its role in helping to pull the economy out of this recession," MAR President Gary Rodgers said at the award presentation.
No word on whether he’ll be winning an award from the Shuttering, Winterization and Mold Abatement Guild’s annual luncheon in Fitchburg next week for helping create this messy housing market in the first place.
Delicious Money
Times are tough, and for many families nowhere is that more noticeable than at the grocery store. Here at the Teller, we’ve down-sized from Double Stuff Oreos to regular Oreos, leaving 50 percent of our beloved Stuff behind.
Many are even worse off, and food pantries across the commonwealth are coming up short in their time of greatest need. People just can’t spare the cans of beans and pumpkin pie filling.
That’s why HarborOne Credit Union’s Plymouth branch is doing one better for the South Shore Community Action Council‘s food pantry: donating big bags full of money.
Now money isn’t as delicious as pumpkin pie filling (what is, really?), but if you take some of that money and buy some ranch dressing or balsamic vinegar, you can make a suitable money salad.
The HarborOne Plymouth office isn’t stopping there, either. It’s matching donations to the pantry dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000 from April 15 through May 30. It’s also going to waive its coin-counting fee for customers and non-customers who donate their change to the pantry.
The Teller doesn’t think they’ll be eating the coins, though. That would be silly. And crunchy.
Restrictive Flow
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is looking for 89,000 square feet of office space in Boston, and they plan to give "preferential treatment" to landlords who offer a "green and sustainable" space. MassDEP wants to be an example businesses on how affordable green space can be.
"Businesses want to do the right thing – the green thing – to reduce their carbon footprint," said MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt. "By promoting the use of this unique Green Lease model, MassDEP is paving the way for other state agencies and local businesses that want to bring environmental sustainability to their commercial leasing options."
With the help of the Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM), MassDEP has outlined several environmentally friendly initiatives they want in their new office building. They want recycling and waste management, green cleaning products and low-flow water fixtures. They want energy management systems for electricity, and separate meters so they can report their usage to their overlords in the governor’s office.
But most of all, they want bike racks. Bike racks for employees, and bike racks for visitors, and bike racks for those bike racks. And separate showers (we assume with restrictive flow showerheads) for male and female employees who bike to work. Perhaps some room for extra conservation there, no?
Anyway, the Teller wonders just how much MassDEP is willing to pay for their new environmentally conscious digs. The Green Lease guidelines are in step with Gov. Deval Patrick’s Executive Order 484, which charges all state agencies with reducing energy and greenhouse emissions. That order was given in April 2007, back when everybody’s economic outlook was still happy and shiny (weren’t we supposed to have some casinos generating green by now?).
Now the state is broke. Landlords are broke. Tenants are broke. Who can afford all sorts of upgrades to their office space? The Teller is sure that’s why DCAM didn’t allow the word LEED to slip into the Green Lease guidelines. Yes, LEED-certified space would be peachy, and surely MassDEP would jump at the chance for an affordable LEED office. But that’s not what was requested.
As it stands now, it seems like a creative trip to Home Depot (or maybe make that Grossman’s Bargain Outlet) would take care of all of MassDEP’s needs. Just don’t forget the bike racks.
