Time To Move Forward Together In a Productive Way

On Tuesday, August 23 as a result of the vote on the referendum item regarding the requirement for registration of what is referred to as “short term rentals” (STR’s), the voters had the opportunity to make their voices heard. For the last dozen years or so they had requested that their elected officials move forward to deal with the escalation of complaints from their neighbors and constituents regarding increasing problems with parking, noise, trash and overcrowding within homes being used in that manner.

Much discussion was held, and some would point to the implementation of a stricter noise ordinance that some would claim had reduced the numbers of complaints. Others would point to the governor backed legislation which requires a complainant to identify themselves as the reason for the decline as many feared retribution, if identified.

The issue regarding Code Enforcement and its effectiveness has always been a matter hotly debated amongst councilors. Most recently the STR’s have not been the only area where complaints regarding that effectiveness have been questioned. Some would point out the lack of follow up regarding the much-celebrated Fertilizer Ordinance and illegal discharges into canals and waterways.

The newest adopted ordinance done by voter referendum is not a perfect piece of legislation, but it does provide a starting point for elected officials and the supporters of that legislation to come together to finally deal with the issue.

For this writer, the safety of unsuspecting renters to be able to enter into a contract for occupancy of a short-term duration should and must bring with it inspection guidelines which ensure safety provisions to avert the tragedy we recently read about on Long Island, New York. Two young women of a family died recently due to a lack of working smoke detectors that should have warned them of a fire in the home which was rented as a Short-Term Rental unit. This while their parents were able to escape from the downstairs bedrooms.

The requirement for these inspections and fire safety requirements has always been the focal point of my desire to see some type of ordinance which might avert such tragedies here on Marco Island.

Both sides have a responsibility to take advantage of this “cooling off period,” of sorts, to take the time to ensure that this ordinance takes into consideration this concern, ensures that the ordinance reads in much more simplistic terms and also ensures many of the items they spoke to in the intent of the legislation is followed through on. Yes, I understand it has passed muster in Ft. Lauderdale, but it can be improved.

Many communities in our state and others have been moving forward to protect their residents in this same manner. They’ve done so in an effort to protect the quality of life their residents believed they bought into, and I sincerely believe we have the opportunity to move forward in a more progressive and reasoned manner. That was the message our voters sent their elected representatives.

I am proud that our citizens did not believe in the hateful and misleading mailers that were stuffed into their mailboxes, run in print and digital media and over social media. I believe that may have caused an unintended result, causing a backlash against their point of view. No one believed that “grandmothers won’t be able to visit grandchildren,” or that any organization or governmental body was going to sell the information from registration to some nefarious groups. That was ludicrous at best and ridiculous. You did more harm to your case than good 

Most of that came from outside our community and do not represent good people on the other side of the issue. As with any issue there are positive points to be made and those points deserve to be taken under consideration.

Now is the time for serious people on both sides of this highly controversial issue to come together and move forward now that the people have spoken. Local government is truly the most effective and efficient means of governing. Let us come together to prove that philosophy is correct and finally deal with this issue.