Henderson County Astroturf Coalition

We told you about the multitude of realtor funded fake grassroots groups in Astroturf Rising. Now BlueRidgeNow.com has an article about the Henderson County Astroturf Coalition funded by NC Realtors and NC Home Builders.

Anti-tax mailings spur questions

Judd Richardson, Hendersonville Board of Realtors president, said the Henderson County Coalition to Protect Home Equity includes Hendersonville Board of Realtors, Hendersonville Home Builders Association, North Carolina Home Builders Association, North Carolina Association of Realtors and citizens.
:::::

The treasurer is Paul Taylor, president of the Hendersonville Home Builders Association. The group received a check for $24,950 from the North Carolina Home Builders Association and a $17,283 in-kind contribution from the North Carolina Association of Realtors.

The group had $24,950 cash on hand and had expended $17,283 of in-kind contributions, the report says.

Local leaders aren't buying the hype.

County Commission Chairman Bill Moyer said he also has seen the mailings.

"It is disappointing they would do this," Moyer said. "They think they are protecting their own self-interest."

Moyer said it is misleading that the coalition would try to present itself as a grassroots organization when outside money is funding the campaign.

"I think they are making it appear like it is a broad-based citizens group," he said, adding, "This is not a local effort to oppose it."