I am a state representative for a district that is largely dependent upon tourism, and where short-term rental units are popular and beneficial. Short-term rentals are a disruptive innovation that is not going away, and I both recognize and support the benefits that they bring to the Mount Washington Valley. Having said this, I am in opposition to SB 249, the Senate bill related to STRs.
You, Rep. Burroughs, are clearly anti-STR (calling them “a disruptive innovation”) and made it quite clear you do not give a damn about those of us none-resident second-home owners who pay the lion’s share of property taxes in Conway without representation. Your pathetic analogy of the right to rent as being akin to “housing wild animals or operating a firing range” is a false equivalency of the highest order.
Lastly, you indignation at receiving an email from our association is ludicrous. You state we were attempting to ”hide the fact that they are from out of state. Not the most ethical way to do business.” I call that BS. If anyone’s ethics, or sense of understanding of the principles at the heart of this debate need questioning, it is your’s. You should be glad I can't vote in NH. But know that I have many friends and relatives that can.
Did you know that the term “disruptive innovation• does not infer negativity? It means that it’s something new that changes the way things are ordinarily done.,The internet is a disruptive innovation.
[thumbdown] Classic Politician Double Talk! I “recognize and support” short-term rentals, but I will also vote to ban them. Make no mistake, a vote against SB249 is a vote to ban them. Since the only mandate in the Bill is that towns cannot ban vacation rentals. Umberger, Burroughs and Kirk need to listen to the people, not the lobbyist at the NH Municipal Assoc.
I am one of those MWV members you believe are not NH residents. My husband and I have worked very hard to own not one but 2 homes in NH. We are NH residents, and we both wrote you unanswered letters regarding SB249 and our concerns with our property rights specifically regarding over regualtion. I am slightly offended by your assumptions from the association who at this point has been the only way to defend our property rights. How do expect the home owners who pay taxes to have their opinion heard by the government if we are not allowed to vote? Isn't this part of your job to hear all effected parties? Surely a tax payer certainly has interest in what happens to their property and the rights which go along with this property. I would also like to point out many of the voters in the MWV who are now full time residents resided in other areas prior to moving full time to the MWV. My guess is all of them understood they were moving to a vacation area. The idea short term rentals are a "disruptive innovation" is difficult to comprehend. Are you implying prior to air b n b and other platforms there were no rentals? My family rented many homes in North Conway to ski for the weekend when I was in my teens and twenty's. If my math is correct this was 30 years ago when the internet did not exist. Its saddening to me our NH home government has to resort to mudslinging to show support of their opinion. I suppose this is what politics these days, even in NH. From a NH resident, MWV tax paying NON-renter, and a member of the MWV association for responsible renters.
Anita, our country was founded on individual rights. The right to own property is fundamental. Renting out ones property is certainly something anyone should be able to do. Some of us, indeed many, need the income. STRs do not displace locals. Locals have the opportunity to buy a condo or home just as I did. FYI, I don't rent mine but I demand the right to do so if needed.
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You, Rep. Burroughs, are clearly anti-STR (calling them “a disruptive innovation”) and made it quite clear you do not give a damn about those of us none-resident second-home owners who pay the lion’s share of property taxes in Conway without representation. Your pathetic analogy of the right to rent as being akin to “housing wild animals or operating a firing range” is a false equivalency of the highest order.
Lastly, you indignation at receiving an email from our association is ludicrous. You state we were attempting to ”hide the fact that they are from out of state. Not the most ethical way to do business.” I call that BS. If anyone’s ethics, or sense of understanding of the principles at the heart of this debate need questioning, it is your’s. You should be glad I can't vote in NH. But know that I have many friends and relatives that can.
Did you know that the term “disruptive innovation• does not infer negativity? It means that it’s something new that changes the way things are ordinarily done.,The internet is a disruptive innovation.
[thumbdown] Classic Politician Double Talk! I “recognize and support” short-term rentals, but I will also vote to ban them. Make no mistake, a vote against SB249 is a vote to ban them. Since the only mandate in the Bill is that towns cannot ban vacation rentals. Umberger, Burroughs and Kirk need to listen to the people, not the lobbyist at the NH Municipal Assoc.
Anita,
I am one of those MWV members you believe are not NH residents. My husband and I have worked very hard to own not one but 2 homes in NH. We are NH residents, and we both wrote you unanswered letters regarding SB249 and our concerns with our property rights specifically regarding over regualtion. I am slightly offended by your assumptions from the association who at this point has been the only way to defend our property rights. How do expect the home owners who pay taxes to have their opinion heard by the government if we are not allowed to vote? Isn't this part of your job to hear all effected parties? Surely a tax payer certainly has interest in what happens to their property and the rights which go along with this property. I would also like to point out many of the voters in the MWV who are now full time residents resided in other areas prior to moving full time to the MWV. My guess is all of them understood they were moving to a vacation area. The idea short term rentals are a "disruptive innovation" is difficult to comprehend. Are you implying prior to air b n b and other platforms there were no rentals? My family rented many homes in North Conway to ski for the weekend when I was in my teens and twenty's. If my math is correct this was 30 years ago when the internet did not exist. Its saddening to me our NH home government has to resort to mudslinging to show support of their opinion. I suppose this is what politics these days, even in NH. From a NH resident, MWV tax paying NON-renter, and a member of the MWV association for responsible renters.
Anita, our country was founded on individual rights. The right to own property is fundamental. Renting out ones property is certainly something anyone should be able to do. Some of us, indeed many, need the income. STRs do not displace locals. Locals have the opportunity to buy a condo or home just as I did. FYI, I don't rent mine but I demand the right to do so if needed.
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Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
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Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.