Hrp Says Rent Control Foes Lying

Thuman Righ&Fafty sitys it hasl filed a complaint with the Michigan Fair ■ Campaign Practices-Commission, charg-B ing opponents of its proposed rent con-1 trol charter amendmént with false ad-B vertising. . The charge is based on advertising by ■ CitizensTör Good Housing (CGH) whichl claims enactment of the amendmént I would place under control 1 rented homes of University professors on I sabbatical. The HRP, however, says the I ment specifically exempts all I occupied single and two-family homes, I as they are defined by city code. The I code includes in its owner-occupied I sification homes rented for up to two I years during which the owner does not I live in Ann Arbor. The HRP claims the CGH I tion of the amendmént "is a willful I tempt to distort the truth. Once again the I I landlords ... are resorting to lies in attempt to defeat the rent control." The Fair Campaign Practices CommisI sion investigates complaints of illegal I and unethical campaign acts throughout I the state. The HRP said its complaint I was mailed Tuesday. The HRP also is acI cusing CGH with collecting money from I real estáte interests from throughout I southeastern Michigan to defeat the rent I control proposal. Prelimuiary spending reports filed by ■ CGH indícate more thaiva third of the l$18,000 CGH has spent thus far in the ■ campaign has come from sources outside' (Ann Arbor. ■ HRP mayoral candidate Carol Ernst ■ charged Ann Arbor landlords "have gone I as far as Florida to fund this program to ■ deceive Ann Arbor voters aboüt rent conI trol," I "It is clear, again, that citizens for I Good Housing is really just a front group I for wealthy realty interests," she said. I Representatives of CGH could not be I reached for comment on either charge.