I am one of the unwashed masses who lives in Ellsworth. Tried and failed to become one of the MDI brahmin in 2017. Even pre-COVID it was nigh impossible to relocate there-- now, a pipe dream. All I can say is this: dear lord, help us staunch the hemhorraging of housing in Ellsworth. I've called the city planner several times to ask what we're doing to protect community and I get a response of "well, we're working on the five year plan now..."
By the time that's done, Ellsworth will be done for. It's already teetering on the precipice, gazing into the void. I deeply appreciate the attention you call to the housing issues our region faces. It feels like the few that do speak up get crushed by the hoteliers/tourist trap owners.
It upsets me to no end that those who govern around here seem to welcome the tourism machine (at the expense of us) with open arms.
Keep highlighting the bloodbath. Maybe we can move the needle.
Perhaps if some sort of additional fee was applied to STRs by the various towns for the additional impacts and burdens created by all the types of lodging, a percentage of that fee collected could be given back to all the property owners who do are not lodging owners. After all, the teacher, lawyer, nurse, landscaper, etc. , living in your neighborhood quietly trying to enjoy their home, and maintaining it so it looks nice for all to enjoy, is making it more appealing for your lodgers with no share in the profits. Yet they put up, often without complaint, because they do not want to offend you. The reality is, additional lodgers bring additional noise and traffic…sometimes, and they are not really neighbors you can enjoy over the years.
My husband , Art Greif were lucky to live for many years on a small street that had escaped lodging sprawl for many years! Thank you dear neighbors!
I am one of the unwashed masses who lives in Ellsworth. Tried and failed to become one of the MDI brahmin in 2017. Even pre-COVID it was nigh impossible to relocate there-- now, a pipe dream. All I can say is this: dear lord, help us staunch the hemhorraging of housing in Ellsworth. I've called the city planner several times to ask what we're doing to protect community and I get a response of "well, we're working on the five year plan now..."
By the time that's done, Ellsworth will be done for. It's already teetering on the precipice, gazing into the void. I deeply appreciate the attention you call to the housing issues our region faces. It feels like the few that do speak up get crushed by the hoteliers/tourist trap owners.
It upsets me to no end that those who govern around here seem to welcome the tourism machine (at the expense of us) with open arms.
Keep highlighting the bloodbath. Maybe we can move the needle.
Nice article!
Once again ask not for whom the bell tolls dear readers, for it tolls for thee!
When is SWH going to implement a bed tax? 20% would be a great amount of tax income to help the town deal with all the issues discussed in the article
Perhaps if some sort of additional fee was applied to STRs by the various towns for the additional impacts and burdens created by all the types of lodging, a percentage of that fee collected could be given back to all the property owners who do are not lodging owners. After all, the teacher, lawyer, nurse, landscaper, etc. , living in your neighborhood quietly trying to enjoy their home, and maintaining it so it looks nice for all to enjoy, is making it more appealing for your lodgers with no share in the profits. Yet they put up, often without complaint, because they do not want to offend you. The reality is, additional lodgers bring additional noise and traffic…sometimes, and they are not really neighbors you can enjoy over the years.
My husband , Art Greif were lucky to live for many years on a small street that had escaped lodging sprawl for many years! Thank you dear neighbors!
Having a new neighbor every two days means you have a commercial business next door, a commercial business in a residential zone. How is this legal?