Fairfax rent ordinances unfair to property owners

In past generations, the people and governing bodies of small-town America were the foundation and pride of our democracy. I am fearful that our democracy is at risk.

Some Fairfax families have risen in protest and given up Saturdays to collect signatures and lobbied neighbors in an effort to stop the ill-conceived “rent stabilization” and “just cause” ordinance laws recently passed by our Town Council without our consent.

I am outraged because our constitutional rights have been trampled upon by the Town Council. Some council members are using a misguided concept of socialism and taking it upon themselves to make decisions for us that affect our families, our property and our values.

The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution outlines the “takings clause,” which says the government cannot seize property without compensating owners. In essence, Fairfax's ordinances authorize the taking of private property, forcing owners to submit to government control without consideration of their rights or compensation for their losses. A similar case involving New York City landlords fighting rent control could end up in the U.S. Supreme Court soon.

I would also like to cite the 14th Amendment's “due process clause.” Fairfax property owners were not notified of the Town Council's intention to pass the ordinances without bringing them to a vote of the people.

We live in a democracy. These decisions feel like a violation of the rights of individuals who have followed the rules, worked hard and made sacrifices their entire lives to achieve the goal of property ownership.

These Town Council decisions have caused harm to businesses, property owners and to the entire town. People will not back down when our rights are being challenged and when our tax dollars are being spent wastefully.