Dear Editor,

Recently, I received yet another request from the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors for my support of mass transit. MIBOR has never reached out to ask my opinion of mass transit, just instructed me to follow the company line.

I will not support mass transit, or support raising taxes for mass transit. I have the privilege of living in Hamilton County, where the schools have had a very positive effect on our property values. Proof enough for me to believe in the power of good schools.

Good schools help increase property values and decrease crime rates. For that reason, I’m struggling to understand why MIBOR is so bent on supporting mass transit. It will absolutely raise property taxes, won’t improve schools, increase property values or reduce crime, all the things a Realtor should be concerned about.

Improving the IPS Schools would have a direct impact on the value of homes and the lives of the families we serve. Indianapolis Schools rank 287 out of 313 school districts in Indiana. Why doesn’t MIBOR take up the cause of better schools?

According to MIBOR statistics, 25 percent of buyers ranked the quality of a school district as most important while only 6 percent ranked the convenience of public transportation as important.

Libby Cyman, Member – MIBOR, 46032