Hello Mr. Loper,

First things first. Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you about real estate tax. I am in favor of tax breaks for lower income homeowners, and perhaps also as a tool for selectively encouraging diversity - particularly affordable housing - in amenable neighborhoods. We must respect local choices while creating a hospitable atmosphere for people of less means.

A little while back you asked for comments about Independents for Phaltz. I hope those concerned with the environmental and socially devastating effects of subsidizing auto-dependant growth will ask Mr. Phaltz about "ring roads" around Charlottesville, and under what conditions he'd support the parkway and 29 bypass.

Regarding those "democracy for millionaires" posters, alas, I can not take credit. The fact that big money developers have spent almost as much on this race as all the candidates combined shows how determined they are to push the Parkway on Charlottesville whether we want it or not.

One last thing - please check out my website at www.geocities.com/strattonis for alternatives to sprawl inducing policy. Thanks for your contribution to furthering public discussion. Sincerely,

Stratton Salidis (electronic mail, April 30, 2000).