Letter: The politics of VHRs in S. Lake Tahoe
To the community,
The recent election results in Palm Springs in support of vacation rentals and against the anti-VHR crowd should be the death nail to the hysteria brought to local governments. These selfish local activists have zero interest in the economic lives of their neighbors and the economic well being of the South Lake Tahoe community.
Jim Morris
Where do we go from here? Do not support the re-election of the following members to the City Council? These members put the cap on vacation rentals and the $1,000 parking fines on the books against our property owners and tourist guests. These people do not deserve a single vote. They include former Mayor Austin Sass, leader of the anti-VHR group; Jason Collin, Sass’s lackey and ineffective council member; and Mayor Wendy David who relied on a flawed, city paid $75,000 study to impose Draconian regulations to property owners and guests. And lastly, Tom Davis who has been so ineffective in recusing himself from crucial VHR discussions and votes due to his minority interest in a property management company in South Lake Tahoe.
Over 150 property owners are waiting for permits and trying to provide a preferred family accommodation for tourist visitors to South Lake Tahoe. The city is losing over 10 percent in tax or approximately $350,000 plus millions of dollars in sales tax and economic benefits to local businesses by not allowing owners to exercise private property rights.
The city’s own VHR statistics show that vacation renters are not the problem that was projected by selfish locals who didn’t want to hear a car door close or the sounds of the wheels of a suitcase on the sidewalk. Less than 20 percent of VHR complaints are verified by the police department who are responding within 10 minutes on average. Plus, the city has overstaffed its community service department by over 400 percent to 500 percent to investigate one to two incidents per day out of 1,400 vacation rentals citywide. See VHR complaints.
Please let your opinions be known to the good hard working residents of South Lake Tahoe and replace the City Council in November. Vote “no” against both ballots effecting vacation rentals in South Lake Tahoe’s November election. More to come on why the Sustainable Community Alliance is detrimental to the community.
Jim Morris, president of Lake Tahoe Accommodations
…..Another rude & crude message of name-calling! Why don’t you propose your own neighborhood as the VHR-zoned district for South Lake Tahoe? All you seem to care about is $$$ instead of quality of life!
Sadly, Mr. Morris continues his behavior. His selfish and greedy perspective is shown once again. The issue is not how to protect business, but rather, to ensure the public peace. It is truly that simple.
All this nonsense about the citizens of a city, town or area being responsible for business’ success is absurd. It has nothing to do with politicians, it is about protecting citizens’ peace.
Since the police and sheriff refused to solve the problems that were called in to them and the politicians refused to provide adequate ordinances for law enforcement to enforce, the citizens have done the only thing remaining, they took action and are voting to solve the problem.
Mr. Morris should consider what he has done to solve the problem rather than demand that citizens give up their peace. His position is like the father who abuses his wife and children complaining that he is a good provider and shouldn’t be held responsible for his abuse. And we the citizens aren’t buying it.
So well said, Mr. Clark.
Mr Morris,
Again, I must thank you for your spiteful disdain for the local residents. Why is it that you left South Lake Tahoe to live in Minden? Why is it we should all follow the opinion of someone who chooses to not live here and yet is making a living off of our neighborhoods?
I have had my issues with members of the City Council but the one thing I can applaud them for are the new VHR rules. VHRs are now held accountable for their inaction and miss management of their businesses that operate as an exception to zoning laws, an exception to ADA compliance requirements and an exception to the rules Motels and Hotels are required to operate under. Had VHRs managed these issues we would not now be in the mess we are in. When the voters kill VHRs in the coming election you can look squarely in the mirror and see the cause.
The ONLY way I can see VHRs continue in our town is through appropriate regulations such as those established by the City. Continuing to stomp your feet and whine about local residents who only want peace in their neighborhoods only strengthens my own resolve that shutting down VHRs and ending your exemptions is the only reasonable recourse.
Please, keep calling us names and see how we vote. You wish to share your spite for our town and residents than don’t be surprised when those of us who live here return your feelings in-kind. Maybe you should focus more of your attention on running your businesses and less of it telling us how selfish we are for wanting peace in our homes?
PS: Your ‘guests’ were parked in the dirt the last two nights and we didn’t report it. Consider this our gift to you. Maybe we should be more selfish and report next time?