Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow defends interests

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In the greater Springfield area, home builders are fortunate to enjoy a positive and mutually beneficial working relationship with our municipal, county, and state government officials and regulators. |ret||ret||tab|

While our opinions may not always be the same from one issue to the next, our broad goals generally are consistent: We all want the greater Springfield area to flourish as a desirable place to live, work and raise a family.|ret||ret||tab|

For homeowners, this special quality of life we have grown to expect makes Springfield the best place we could choose to live and raise a family. For business owners and entrepreneurs, the attractiveness of our community makes it the ideal location to access a high-quality work force and an active and diverse local economy.|ret||ret||tab|

For home builders, these qualities add up to you guessed it more homes. |ret||ret||tab|

Home builders here know that in order to sustain the level of growth and prosperity our community has enjoyed, we must work together to continually im-prove our quality of life, the environment, the job market, education and transportation.|ret||ret||tab|

However, although most people do not fully realize it, the home-building industry is under attack across the nation from political adversaries. |ret||ret||tab|

Generally speaking, these opponents are not native to the region in which they seek to push their no-growth agendas. Instead, they move in from the outside and set up powerful anti-growth campaigns. |ret||ret||tab|

When the election is over, they simply pack up and move on to their next victims. |ret||ret||tab|

A recent example of this all-too-familiar scenario came in the 2000 election cycle. In Arizona and Colorado, home builders and homeowners averted near disasters in the form of ballot initiatives aimed directly at blocking future growth in residential construction. |ret||ret||tab|

These anti-growth efforts, conceived and funded by wealthy and extreme special interests from the outside, would have made it virtually impossible to make an honest living as a home builder in those states. It also would have made homeownership unattainable for many families. I don' t need to tell the readers of the Springfield Business Journal what such an effort would have done to business growth in those communities. |ret||ret||tab|

After prolonged and costly campaigns, the Home Builders associations in these states narrowly defeated both initiatives in 2000. These close calls serve as a warning to the rest of us: The no-growth activists will return, and they will seek new communities to attack.|ret||ret||tab|

In the greater Springfield area, through the establishment of the Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow, the Home Builders Association is facing the challenges that certainly lie ahead.|ret||ret||tab|

The CBBT stands as the political ac-tion defense on behalf of those of us who have joined together to "Build a Better Tomorrow."|ret||ret||tab|

Our goal is to promote smart growth strategies to keep housing affordable and maintain a high quality of life in our community. These efforts are the most essential steps the HBA has taken toward making a lasting impact for the betterment of the community and the home- building industry.|ret||ret||tab|

Most recently, in November 2001, the HBA lent its political support to help pass a ballot initiative that will build new parks and walking trails, and protect open green space throughout Greene County. We were delighted to be a part of the "Parks for the Future" campaign, because the initiative ultimately will help ensure that Springfield and the rest of the area will remain an attractive place to live, offering the quality of life we have grown to expect. |ret||ret||tab|

The initiative will improve our environment and better accommodate future growth in Greene County. |ret||ret||tab|

Perhaps most encouraging, broad support quickly is growing to help sustain the home-building industry in our community through the CBBT. Perhaps you, too, should consider getting involved with the Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow. If your interest lies in shaping local and state policy and regulation toward a pro-business, pro-homeowner philosophy, the CBBT already is working for you and we could use your help. |ret||ret||tab|

Contribution dollars help fund electoral efforts on critical ballot issues and key candidate campaigns right here in our area. Donated time and energy provide the grassroots strength necessary to fend off dangerous political attacks. |ret||ret||tab|

Just as importantly, our preparation in this arena sends a clear signal to those who would target us with their no-growth agendas to look elsewhere. In Springfield, they will find a well-prepared and properly funded opponent. Most importantly, your efforts ultimately can result a lower-cost bottom line for your dream home and the homes of your employees. |ret||ret||tab|

Please contact the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield for more information about the Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow, and to find out how, together, we can sustain sensible growth strategies for our community.|ret||ret||tab|

(Matt Morrow is executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield. He also serves as treasurer of the HBA' s Missouri Con-tinuing Committee, The Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow.)[[In-content Ad]]