Joe Bruno: the property owner's new Joan of Arc.

How many of us remember studying the "Hundred Years War" from our school days? For those of you who need a refresher course in medieval history, it was a series of wars lasting over a century between England and France during the 14th and 15th centuries. The reason for the fighting was who would control land on the European continent, the English or French throne. The greatest character to come out of the conflict was Joan of Arc, who led the armies of France to victory. Ultimately of course, Joan was captured by the English and burned as a heretic after being condemned in an ecclesiastic court.

Well perhaps building owners have found their own Joan to lead us in the battle: State Senate Leader Joseph Bruno.

We have been engaged in our own epic war for the control of our properties. Rent control began before many of us were even born. For others it is only a dim memory of their childhood of a city without rent restrictions. And for a select aged few, they may even remember owning residential property before the "Rent Control Wars" began.

Joe Bruno has come out squarely against rent controls and vows that they will not be renewed in their present form. Of course the Assembly leader, Stanley Silver, has had an epileptic fit with this pronouncement. For as we all know the city cannot possibly go on without the government being involved in the setting of the apartment rents.

The mayor, city council, borough presidents and other assorted "leaders" are wringing their hands with dire predictions of the end of the middle class in our city. What nonsense they spew in their cacophonous rhapsody of economic and political dribble. Only our own "Maid of Orleans" sees things clearly and for what rent control really is. While the real Joan of Arc had visions and spoke to Saint Catherine and other celestial figures, Joe Bruno sees the reality of this absurd abuse of governmental authority.

For more than 50 years, the government has told private land owners what to charge for providing housing. In no way did the government for most of that time control expenses of providing those services. Landlords are rich, greedy and arrogant, while tenants are king; poor and in need of economic help. Besides, as politicians see it, they could give an economic handout to a vast majority of voters without money coming directly from the public trough.

So just like every middle class entitlement, rent regulation has little to do with need and everything to do with votes. Rent payments are not set by income of the occupants, but by longevity in living in an apartment. Further, that subsidy is foisted upon owners as a class instead of society as a whole through taxation. I can't think of a more unjust system and one that is politically, economically and morally bankrupt than the implementation of our present rent control laws.

For all this time, owners have been looking for a savior. Someone who would lead us from this tyranny, smite our enemies and give us our economic freedom. For too tong we have been courting politicians that openly confiscate our hard-earned wealth through the continued implementation of this absurdity. For too many years we have allowed this to go on. It is time for this to end.

The continuation of controls should be a litmus test before any politician receives our vote or contribution. It is claimed that real estate interests are one of the largest political contributors in the state. If we are, then we have been short-changed by those who want our money. Before one more dime is given to any politician, we must demand that they sign the pledge to end controls.

Joe Bruno has signed that pledge. He has given his word that he will work toward the abolition of rent control. He has sworn that his system will end - now. Joe Bruno deserves our support. Each of us should write our state assemblyman and senator and make our wishes known. It is up to us to take the fight to them and to make sure that our liberation is at hand.

Our "Maid of Orleans" has now committed himself to the struggle. The real estate community comprises the troops necessary to win the battle. It is incumbent on us to allow Joe to lead us to victory. Let us make sure that our Joan is not burned at the stake for spouting the heresy of ending rent control.

Thomas F. Campenni is a real estate consultant advising owners, co-ops and condominiums, and welcomes responses at 21 West 46th Street, NY, NY 10036 or call 212-921- 8043)