OTHER NEWS: Hotel applicant failed to disclose loss of rental permit; League of towns asks Mills for solutions to waste management; Could Maui-like fire happen here?
Kudos to Lincoln for being one of the few journalists tackling this head on. I'm a former resident of the island and recently made the painful decision to take a position on another part of the state. The only reason: housing affordability and quality. There is no reason whatever that a high skilled worker in the marine trades making a conpetitive wage should have to cough up over half their income for an ever dwindling housing stock. It positively killed me leaving what was quite possibly the single best job I ever held in my life at a mid sized boat yard on Somes Sound. It's striking that I (and many like me) am good enough to do world class work on yachts owned by the Rockefellers, Mellons, Fords, Millikens and indeed the Rales Brothers - yet are essentially priced out of being able to live in the very communities we serve. This is not a problem that a few well intentioned wealthy can, or even should be solving. Foundations such as the Island Housing Trust and MDI365 are mere band aids on a severed limb. Municipal, state and the federal government have absolutely got to step in to resolve this - the issue has gotten to the point that there simply is no other way. In the meantime expect months long waits for contractors and boatbuilders to continue - perhaps we'll be able to get you back on the water a little after Christmas...
That big-box dormitory looks like it could use two metal exterior fire-escapes, I shudder to think of dozens trapped on the upper floors when there is a kitchen fire downstairs. Just saying.
Employer provided housing is all well and good. It certainly takes some of the heat off the year round housing stock without question. That certainly extends to year round employers as well, which is where things get a bit sticky. Will that create two classes of year round workers on the island? One with employer provided housing and another facing the vagries of the (completely out of balance) housing/rental market. Not to mention year round workers being subject to outsized control by their employers with limited options once caught in a trap of an oh so benevolent provided roof over their heads. It's not a big leap to think this could very easily lead to abuse.
After his (and Coston's ) 45 room B$B boondoggle - built out to the property line and demanding permanent take over of the public street - anytime Tom St. Germaine shows up, count the silver. Seriously, it is only due diligence to verify anything he asserts.
With all the publicity around the short term rental conversion to a “hotel” how can it not have occurred to anyone to check their registration? That is almost unbelievable. And to the point made about did it not occur to the council to query what can of worms they’d open. However, will the new hotel now be subject to requirement of other hotels which are much more stringent that AirBNB?
If you want comity and polite acceptance of the serious decline of this precious eden we were gifted, just read the Islander .. no need to subscribe to my blog...
Kudos to Lincoln for being one of the few journalists tackling this head on. I'm a former resident of the island and recently made the painful decision to take a position on another part of the state. The only reason: housing affordability and quality. There is no reason whatever that a high skilled worker in the marine trades making a conpetitive wage should have to cough up over half their income for an ever dwindling housing stock. It positively killed me leaving what was quite possibly the single best job I ever held in my life at a mid sized boat yard on Somes Sound. It's striking that I (and many like me) am good enough to do world class work on yachts owned by the Rockefellers, Mellons, Fords, Millikens and indeed the Rales Brothers - yet are essentially priced out of being able to live in the very communities we serve. This is not a problem that a few well intentioned wealthy can, or even should be solving. Foundations such as the Island Housing Trust and MDI365 are mere band aids on a severed limb. Municipal, state and the federal government have absolutely got to step in to resolve this - the issue has gotten to the point that there simply is no other way. In the meantime expect months long waits for contractors and boatbuilders to continue - perhaps we'll be able to get you back on the water a little after Christmas...
That big-box dormitory looks like it could use two metal exterior fire-escapes, I shudder to think of dozens trapped on the upper floors when there is a kitchen fire downstairs. Just saying.
Employer provided housing is all well and good. It certainly takes some of the heat off the year round housing stock without question. That certainly extends to year round employers as well, which is where things get a bit sticky. Will that create two classes of year round workers on the island? One with employer provided housing and another facing the vagries of the (completely out of balance) housing/rental market. Not to mention year round workers being subject to outsized control by their employers with limited options once caught in a trap of an oh so benevolent provided roof over their heads. It's not a big leap to think this could very easily lead to abuse.
After his (and Coston's ) 45 room B$B boondoggle - built out to the property line and demanding permanent take over of the public street - anytime Tom St. Germaine shows up, count the silver. Seriously, it is only due diligence to verify anything he asserts.
With all the publicity around the short term rental conversion to a “hotel” how can it not have occurred to anyone to check their registration? That is almost unbelievable. And to the point made about did it not occur to the council to query what can of worms they’d open. However, will the new hotel now be subject to requirement of other hotels which are much more stringent that AirBNB?
I love your descriptions. Very informative. Looking forward to reading more.
Jim O’C. Bar Harbor
Thanks for your support. I am an acquired taste, no doubt about that ...
If you want comity and polite acceptance of the serious decline of this precious eden we were gifted, just read the Islander .. no need to subscribe to my blog...
Lincoln is a rough-and-tumble kind of guy.