This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on August 15, 2013.
While information is sparse, a formal complaint against Jackson city council woman Laura Dwyer Schlecte should be delivered to the State Real Estate Board shortly. The council member, also a licensed real estate broker, drafted and voted an ordinance that excludes medical marijuana cultivation for licensed patients in the city of Jackson, MI.
Housing discrimination is usually disguised and more often than not, it is done with a smile and a handshake. Mrs. Schlecte’s media and open session comments suggested blockbusting, a no-no for the real estate field and a clear violation of the Civil Rights Act and Persons With Disabilities Civil Rights Act.
“Having medical marijuana in a neighborhood also decreases property values” stated the councilwoman despite the fact that all Jackson communities have experienced appreciation since passage of the MMMA (source Jackson County Board of Realtors).
Laura Schlecte said “The statistics out there are 52% of our properties in the city of Jackson are non-owner occupied.” This fact explained by Mrs. Schlecte leads to property value declines, not the presence of a protected-class of people (marijuana patients).
Mrs. Schlecte’s several disparaging and grossly misleading remarks to the members of the Jackson city council and listeners to her weekly “Thinking Real Estate” radio program may have no consequence, especially in the court of public opinion, but her violations of the Civil Rights Act and State Real Estate Codes of Conduct will be investigated formally.
Blockbusting: (“PANIC-PEDDLING”)The unlawful practice of blockbusting is defined as intentionally trying to induce another person to transfer an interest in real estate or discourage that person from purchasing by referring to persons of any particular race, color, sex, religion or national origin, or in any way suggest that the presence of such persons will lower property values, change the racial, religious, or ethnic character of the block, neighborhood or area where the property is located, increase criminal or antisocial behavior in the area or cause a decline in the quality of the local schools.
Congress has declared that blockbusting “cheats homeowners, increases interracial tensions, promotes neighborhood instability and creates ghettos, which do harm to the citizens of Michigan and that it promotes panic, fear and hate for purposes of financial profit.” Blockbusting is always illegal, whether or not the blockbuster is acting for monetary gain. A person who violates the provisions of this law can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction subject to fine and/or imprisonment.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
P.A. 220 of 1976, as amended
37.1506 Prohibited representations.
Sec. 506. A person shall not represent, for the purpose of inducing a real estate transaction from which he or she may benefit financially or otherwise, that a change has occurred or will or may occur in the composition with respect to persons with disabilities of the owners or occupants in the block, neighborhood, or area in which the real property is located, or represent that this change will or may result in the lowering of property values, an increase in criminal or antisocial behavior, or a decline in the quality of schools in the block, neighborhood, or area in which the real property is located.
History: 1976, Act 220, Eff. Mar. 31, 1977 ;–Am. 1998, Act 20, Imd. Eff. Mar. 12, 1998 .
37.1502 Owners, persons engaging in real estate transactions, real estate brokers, and real estate salesmen; prohibited conduct.
(f) Make, print, circulate, post, or mail or cause to be made or published a statement, advertisement, or sign, or use a form of application for a real estate transaction, or make a record of inquiry in connection with a prospective real estate transaction, which indicates, directly or indirectly, an intent to make a limitation, specification, or discrimination with respect to a real estate transaction.
37.1102 Opportunity guaranteed; civil right; accommodation of person with disability; undue hardship.
Sec. 102. (1) The opportunity to obtain employment, housing, and other real estate and full and equal utilization of public accommodations, public services, and educational facilities without discrimination because of a disability is guaranteed by this act and is a civil right.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in article 2, a person shall accommodate a person with a disability for purposes of employment, public accommodation, public service, education, or housing unless the person demonstrates that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.
History: 1976, Act 220, Eff. Mar. 31, 1977 ;–Am. 1980, Act 478, Imd. Eff. Jan. 20, 1981;- Am. 1990, Act 121, Imd. Eff. June 25, 1990 ;–Am. 1998, Act 20, Imd. Eff. Mar. 12, 1998.
[hr color=”light-gray” width=”100%” border_width=”1px” ]
FILE A COMPLAINT. YOUR RIGHTS MAY HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY MRS SCHLECTE more>>
http://www.lauradwyerschlecte.com/
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/redbook_217577_7.pdf
http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_61343_35395_35396-139958–,00.html
=”About the Author” author_id=””]
Fry her ass.
It is important that we hold our leaders to the flame. The counelperson also owns and manages real estate in Jackson. Wonder why she wants it out. I want her out.
It was my understanding that property values have increased significantly since the passage of the MMMA.
Yeah, I still don’t see it. How has she, in her role as a city council person, intentionally tried to induce another person to transfer an interest in real estate or discourage that person from purchasing by referring to persons of any particular race, color, sex, religion or national origin, or in any way suggest that the presence of such persons will lower property values, change the racial, religious, or ethnic character of the block, neighborhood or area where the property is located, increase criminal or antisocial behavior in the area or cause a decline in the quality of the local schools. Has she mentioned anyone of any particular race, color, sex, religion or national origin? Are marijuana users a protected class? I don’t think so. Seems like a real stretch and seems like you’re kind of desperate. This is kind of laughable.
Her comment about our presence-Medical mj patients and caregivers- decreasing property values is a very direct statement of discrimination and induces antisocial behavior …as a real estate agent and Councilwoman she should have more respect for her constituents! A city councils job includes creating jobs, protecting citizens, and maintaining budgets and city needs… It seems that this woman is not doing her job on any level! To restrict what people do in their homes is UNAMERICAN!!
You must be the politician realtor. How can you not see wrong doing it is perfectly clear to me. Hope you ending up spending big money with lawyers fighting this. Despicable.
Well, what she said, isn’t covered by the definition of Blockbusting, as posted by the author of this article. If you don’t like her actions as a city council member, get her voted out, but don’t waste the time and resources of the state real estate board on something that clearly isn’t a violation of the rights of anyone.
The kkk is a protected class says the supreme court. You imply that marijuanan users have no rights? Is this what you are saying?
I am not she. I have no dog in this fight, but based upon the information given in the article, she clearly hasn’t done any Blockbusting. That’s just silly.
marijuana users have the same rights as any other citizen. I’m saying that as a group, they aren’t in the protected class as described by the author of this article. Clearly.
Oh yeah this is the paranoid commissioner commenting on this. Wouldnt have “Joe Clark” represent you in court. Maybe you should smoke a joint to calm your nerves. Karma is great.
So, because I see things differently than the other commenters, I must be the person about whom this article is written? Give me a break. I guess it’s true that smoking marijuana makes one paranoid.
So am I to believe that Jackson homes have so much pot in them that they need to be controlled by this ordinance? And like the reeltor said t”medical marijuana decreases property values” so Jackson property values must be falling to? Maybe Joe Clark can help me understand better. What happens when cops bust doors in with tape measures. Is a garage part of the house? This women is in violation of more than real estate law but violating the public trust.
She may be in violation of violating the public trust, I don’t know, but, based upon what the author of the article wrote, I cannot see how she’s in violation of real estate law. That is what I’ve been commenting on. I’m making no judgments on the marijuana. I don’t care one way or another. But, the article is about the commissioner violating someone’s civil rights. I don’t see how the author has made the point. If you want clarification on the property values, call the commissioner. She’s a realtor.
Since Laura Schlecte, a licensed realty broker has made clear to me from her statements and ordinance, the city of Jackson is full of drug houses and needs to be limited to this extent. My family and I have opted for another community. How is that for panic.
This woman is a real piece of work.
so you moved because she said that? huh. perhaps you should send her a thank you note, rather than slander her online. she has not, based on what I have read here, violated license law, either state or federal. if people don’t like her as a commissioner, she should be voted out, not turned in to the state on some bogus charges. read the Blockbusting wording. she has done nothing that violates license law.
Agree Brad. This woman is dangerous.
As a licensed Realtor and medical marijuana patient I can see the violations from this council person and licensed broker. Let me show you the same home sales averages that this broker can provide for you. She knows what she did was wrong and should be held to a higher standard than the other council members that voted for this very bad law. She is a professional. Shameful, and I for one hope that a formal investigation ensues.
To Mrs Schlecte and commenter Joe Clark,
When you put one of us in danger, you put all of us marijuana patients in danger.
Clear violation and would be illegal under any other circumstance. Not sure how real estate commission will react. Real travesty that this woman has this little compassion. Shes not selling my house.
no doubt
It must be frightening for you to be threatened with incarceration or a misdemeanor. Do you get what you are doing to patients?
However you look at it she lied about real estate data and that violates her professional ethics both in her realty practice and city council responsibilities. She lied.
It is my civil right to not only have the right to choose what I put in my body (that often means growing marijuana), it is also a civil right to be free of government in my home! And bedroom! That’s like saying gays bring property values down in Royal Oak -DO YOU GET IT YET!
She lied to benefit her biased veiw! I am a patient and a good citizen, voter, taxpayer- Why am I being demonized as something that brings down property values??? I am also an asset to my community as a precinct delegate Public officials are voted for-As a politician you should always be mindful of your discriminating behaviors and wordage! She will soon have a recall measure Im sure!
How did she lie about the real estate data? it is what it is. and to the stoner real estate agent: you need some help reading the real estate laws. they are very clear, and the councilwoman didn’t violate any of them. What a bunch of crap.
then deal with her on the merit of the argument. don’t make up some effed up joke of an accusation about her being in violation of a civil rights violation. that’s screwed up.
the real estate commission will throw this out, because there is no violation of license law.
property values have increased regardless of the MMMA. It has no bearing on the values.
Then deal with her as a city councilwoman, because what she said and did, has nothing to do with her job as a realtor. get your story straight. she has not done anything wrong as a realtor. get her elected out, but don’t make up a bunch of crap about her as a realtor. that’s pathetic.
Cannot wait to see this woman lose her real estate license. What a shame. Oh well.
yeah, I wouldn’t hold your breath about the license, but maybe you should if you’re inhaling. I find this amazing.
It is pretty cut and dry from the council minutes and media accounts that I have read. Out of public office at minimum, and restricted real estate license or formal complaint.
Only the accused would stay this engaged. Biggot
yeah, that’s what the losing side always says. it’s pathetic. it’s shameful to accuse some wrongly.
it’s bigot, by-the-way.
Will she be this forthcoming on the stand?
forthcoming about what? what stand? this isnt’ Watergate. wow.
This is why I listed my house by owner. This chick is stupid.
yeah listing your house by owner will sure show Laura. That’ll teach her.
If I sold my house with my greenhouse on it i think that would raise my property value considering the growing trend in self medication…
Joe, the legislation does not say you must be a protected class. It says you cannot refer to a person as such whilst dealing in real estate. It also says “OR” ….”or in any way suggest that the presence of such persons will lower property values”
The “persons” in the previous sentence does not refer to those stereotypical labels that you would apply to someone and call them a “protected class.”
No Joe, “persons” refers to ALL persons. You cannot in anyway suggest that a person will lower property values “medical marijuana patient” It would appear that you are having trouble reading the paragraph
“The unlawful practice of blockbusting is defined as intentionally trying to induce ANOTHER PERSON to transfer an interest in real estate”
Also, Blockbusting can be defined as (this is just a long version of the word “or” for joe to understand the article better.)
“discourage that person from purchasing by referring to persons of any particular race, color, sex, religion or national origin”
In addition to that it is also blockbusting when you (again, long version of the word “or”) “in any way suggest that the presence of such persons will lower property values”
Notice the first “person” mentioned in the article is just “another person” not one of a protected class status. Therefore, “such persons” is “another person.”
No, because you see things incorrectly, one could likely assume English is not your first language or you are ignorant to some of it’s finer points.
Your plain wrong, and it is painfully obvious. Read the article slower.
I read it, you are misreading. I hope your not in charge of anything…I fear stupidity is so rampant now….whatever will we do
By suggesting that medical marijuana lowers property values, she has suggested that any medical marijuana patient would lower property values. Does it not follow that a medical marijuana patient would actually have medical marijuana and according to the council women cause the patients and the patients neighbors to suffer property value loss?
Our political team is planning a trip to your next council meeting, only, we will not be discussing medical marijuana. We will be discussing grammar and sentence structure.
Next Jackson City council meeting
September 10
6:30 pm
161 West Michigan Avenue
Funny, I clean houses. I have seen many grow rooms in $300,000 homes. This is clearly an act of self interest, and bias. It has been my experience that the wealthy and the poor, have healthcare needs. Medical marijuana has clearly demonstrated its validity as medicine. Sixty three percent said yes. The city has no room for those who only want to improve their own financial situation. The council is supposed to be there to improve the city for ALL, not act in their own financial interest. The council is padded with greed.
This is a hateful person who has no empathy and cannot be considered a public servant. Shame on you.
There will always be hard headed, non believers who have never had to have surgery or any pain and look at MMJ as a Crack house instead of being a Pharmacy. If you have ever had to ask for pain medication from a Drs. Office, you can appreciate the need for MMJ. And with the DEA limiting the amount(and they won’t tell you how much is to much) of Rx’s they can write for Oxy’s codone or contin. I have had a friend in FL loose his pharmacy to the DEA, for nothing illegal but too many Rx’s for pain meds in an area where he is the only pharmacy and has a large population of elderly sick and hurting people afraid to ask for help.
And as Jimmy Buffett put it last month when he was in town, ” Detroit needs to legalize Marijuana, that will end it’s bankruptcy!”. And I know how much I spend, because I cannot grow my own, and I think of my wife and I as normal individuals who became disabled from accidents on the highway where we were hit with all involved sober. A small tax of .05% on all sales would give the state money it needs.
I heard 1500 people apply for a LARA card every day. I know it is hearsay but I believe it.
it’s you’re. not your.
it’s you’re, not your. Your fear is becoming reality. look it up.
It is worse than Watergate. Nixon just lied. You lied and then put an ordinance in place that you do not have the authority to do but also put patients in more danger. This is what you do not get. Serious is this the councilperson replying to all these comments? How lame. Hope you get what is coming to you!!
Not silly at all. Based on my initial reading I am not at all amused. Nice reporting pointing this abuse out. Like your Facebook page said, this is how you fight back.
Not on a civil rights violation. You are referring to a commission dispute or listing disagreement. Boy are you in trouble.
Mj users are disabled, and yes, are a protected class under disability law..
i’d stick to medical marijuana. you’re not good at grammar and sentence structure.
have any of you that are calling the council woman out on this actually picked up the phone to ask her how she feels? might be worth a minute.
Why dont you tell us right here? Her actions are the only things I can hear.
WTF would anyone ever do that for. she is a liar.
Potheads have no rights. They are a blight to the city of Jackson.
Yep we have no place in a society. Marijuana killed Jackson, wall street, caused school shootings, killed millions, yep mmj and its users are evil.
What a bunch of druggie hypocrites. Of course having grow operations and compassion clubs all over hurts property values. The kind of people and businesses we want in this community are turned off by this burned out hippie effort to legalize pot. I signed petitions and voted yes in the MM initiative.
I did not vote to have a bunch of druggie types hanging around MM outlets waiting for their daily fix.
“Detroit needs to legalize Marijuana, that will end it’s bankruptcy!” with that statement, Buffet has put himself in the isle with fools.
It is my civil right to not only have the right to choose what I put in my body
Only if it does not effect anyone else. Like property values.Driving while stoned etc. etc.
We have laws that read no one can drive under the influence just like we have laws that outlaws disparaging and false statements about a class of people, disabled people at that.
Lime my grandpa always said Some one needs to put this biatch on a leash.
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It probably would. Just Dont use this lady to sell it for you