NAR Smart Growth representative visits Springfield

Joe Molinaro, Smart Growth representative with the National Association of Realtors attended the March 26 Smart Growth meeting of the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors. Shown above are attendees Sharon Wells, chief executive officer of the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors; Brenda Ellsworth, 2002 board president for the GSBOR; Molinaro; Realtor Sabina Frank; and Realtor Alice Delcour.

About 100 attendees were at the meeting, during which Molinaro said that the sustained prosperity and growth that many areas are experiencing bring with them many challenges. He noted that land use and growth are primarily local and state issues. Smart growth is aimed at open green spaces, uncrowded schools, less traffic congestion and quality of life for present and future generations. Molinaro told attendees that Realtors can most effectively address smart growth issues at the state and local levels.

Molinaro manages NAR's smart growth efforts, including Realtor training, technical assistance on land-use regulation to state and local Realtor associations, voter surveys on growth issues, publication of the On Common Ground magazine and support for NAR's smart growth federal legislative agenda.