Reply-To: ahrc@ahrc.com

To: JW.Smith@chron.com
CC: Jim.Townsend@chron.com, Jack.Loftis@chron.com,
Tony.Pederson@chron.com

Subject: Houston Chronicle threatens Metro legal action

Dear Mr/Ms. Smith,

Thank you for your prompt and courteous reply to our inquiry. We sincerely appreciate it.

Maybe this event was providential in nature by bringing to your attention a burning issue, not only in Texas, but also nationwide. The paper that breaks new ground on this issue and exposes what is really happening to millions of American homes is fulfilling the true role of a newspaper, namely to serve the American people

When thousands of people are losing their homes in Texas because of frivolous lawsuits by the homeowner association litigation lobby, it is more important for a newspaper to unearth the reasons for this, than to print stories on what type of dog George Bush patted on the campaign trail.

Many of your readers live in homeowner associations and experience these problems first hand. What is happening is quite literally theft on a grand scale.

Homeowners are continually frustrated by the fact that CAI lies to the public, legislators and the media that they represent 40 million homeowners nationwide - and so much of the press is duped by this. It is like the tobacco industry saying that they represent the consumer.

One way to counter this is to allow your readers to express their views. All too often, it is the lobbyist's voice which is heard.

We have heard from a variety of homeowners in the Houston area that they believe that the Chronicle does not give them a fair outing. We would appreciate your looking into that and remedying the situation if necessary.

Once again, thank you for your prompt response, and we hope to hear from either you or one of your colleagues regarding the above issue.

Sincerely,

The Editor
AHRC News Services