Everyone remembers how Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickenson’s “The Christmas Carol” was a miserly, penny-pinching businessman. But read the ending, where he turned out to be a giving, caring entrepreneur. 

That was the image incoming Utah County Association of Realtors 2013 President Dean Crandall created during the installation of officers last week, urging fellow Realtors to create “a vision of best self. Dream big … live big,” he said.

Crandall replaced Stephanie Vincent, who now becomes Immediate Past President and continues to serve on the board. Lori Chapman, State Realtor President, administered the oath of office to Crandall and the new Board of Directors. Newly elected directors are Gayle Baum, Jim Cannon, Aaron Drussel, Dan Kennedy, Kenna Wagner and Mark Wilkerson.

Chapman lauded Utah County Realtors for producing top leaders. Utah County’s Realtor leadership is  recognized nationally.

”Realtors don’t just sell houses, they sell lives,” she said.

The 2013 committee chairs are Ryan Keisel, Affiliate; Sheralyn Bennett, Community Involvement; Amilyn Gardner, Education; Jonny Christensen, Government Affairs; Social, Aaron Arrington and Technology, Craig Collette.

One area where Realtors want to make a difference is in local politics. (Even Gov. Herbert was a Realtor.) Association CEO Taylor Oldroyd said he has been recruiting candidates for local city councils. Among Realtors vying for public office was Chris Nichols, who applied to fill the late Mayor Jerry Washburn’s remaining two years. The city council picked Jim Evans.

”We need people who understand the industry,” Oldroyd said.

A major effort of all Realtors is to protect private property rights, including the mortgage tax deduction, now threatened under the Obama Administration. Another threat is the transfer tax some states charge when folks sell their homes. That issue is being battled state by state and has even raised its ugly head in Utah.

Among the awards given at the event held at the Utah County Convention Center in Provo were:

• Entrepreneur of the Year award to Marisa Bentley by the Women’s Council of Realtors. The council has doubled its membership in the past year, noted the council’s Jen Yeo.

• A donation of $2,400 to Habitat for Humanity by the Utah Association of Realtors Housing Opportunity Fund. 

Rodger L. Hardy is a Realtor affiliated with Prudential Utah Real Estate and a former real estate editor. For answers to your real estate questions please email him at rhardy@utahresidentialEteam.com.