I love the Nevada County Fair because I meet so many interesting people. On my day at the fair, I sat down to enjoy a taco salad and talked with a man who joined me at the picnic table. I mentioned that I was active in Nevada County Habitat for Humanity. His opinion, he said, was that people might "take advantage" of what Habitat was doing. "How might they take advantage of it?" I asked.

After 20 minutes of conversation, I think he understood things more clearly. Habitat homeowners:

- Qualify for a home, both in terms of the family's need and their ability to service the mortgage

- Invest a minimum of 500 hours of sweat equity as their home is being built

- Provide an up-front down payment

- Meet all homeowner property tax, utilities and maintenance responsibilities

- Enter into a binding agreement that Nevada County Habitat for Humanity has the first right of refusal if the home is sold

- Stay in contact with members of Habitat's family support program and thus continues in the relationship that provides affordable housing for others

I love the fair because I meet so many interesting people. That's part of the Nevada County spirit. So is Habitat for Humanity.

George Carter

Nevada City