Re: [UC] support local businesses

[MLamond]

In a message dated 3/15/05 11:33:25 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

I like this guy:
Jeff âCityâ Block
Associate Broker

Mark, are you serious about "liking" real estate agent Jeff Block, at a center city firm?  I'm always so sad when neighbors, current or former, don't support University City businesses.  What about Urban & Bye, O'Donnell Real Estate, and Common Ground Realtors?  There are a number of agents who live here, work here, and have our offices here - we have a real commitment to University City, and we have had that commitment for years, even when times were difficult and profits were small.  I didn't see Jeff's name around here THEN, when there was little money to be made!  While Jeff is a fine person (as is his mother, Joanne Davidow, the broker at their company, whom I have known for many years), he has so much business in center city (read his Sunday ads!) that he certainly can't concentrate on helping folks HERE buy and sell houses.  Geez, if you've got to support a center city firm, at least find an AGENT who lives here - you know that we have some of those, too!

I doubt if Jeff Block ever has made, and probably he never will make, a donation to sponsor the May Fair in Clark Park, or Cedar Park Neighbors' fall fair in Cedar Park, as we three local real estate offices do.  I know one local Realtor (Richard Dill, Common Ground) who volunteers very frequently at the Lea School; I'll bet Jeff Block has never heard of the place!  I don't think he contributes to the SHCA Education Committee's work at the Wilson School, to CPN's Christmas food baskets for those in need (Grace O'Donnell was very much involved on that committee for many years), to the Friends of the Walnut West Library's long efforts to restore the 40th St. library.  I am quite certain that he doesn't give volunteer time to any UC boards.  I don't think he pays for memberships to local community organizations when a buyer settles on a UC house, as Urban & Bye and O'Donnell do.  I never saw him at the Arts League auction, at the PIC annual fundraiser, or at the Party for the Park, where I see my local colleagues.  I can't imagine that he contributes to the UCD, and I know he's never helped UCHS organize a fundraising and awareness-raising house tour.  I'll bet he hasn't donated to the St Francis organ restoration fund, or helped out with the Calvary Center work. 

I'm not asking that everyone in University City place their real estate business with me, or Urban & Bye where I work.  But I AM asking that you take into consideration the efforts of local businesses in the community when you choose or recommend a company.  Not only Realtors - ALL local businesses deserve your consideration.  Restaurants, for example.  The local owners of our own local restaurants such as Abbraccio, Rx, Vientiane & Dahlak have given us really great places to eat, right here where we can walk to dinner.  Recommend them, too!  Understand the commitment - financial and personal - that University City business owners have made to our community, and thank them for it with your business whenever you can! 

Melani Lamond
Realtor, neighbor, and community participant