Will residents spy for illegal tourists?

On Wednesday the city council finally passed the long-debated ordinance on vacation rentals, or tourist homes, for the city of Sandpoint. After 10 months of delirious debate and thousands of dollars in research, the council has sentenced an innocent form of property use to death. Over the 10 months of research, the citizens of Sandpoint have overwhelmingly stood against this ordinance through public testimony and written letters. Not one problem, incident, or police report was given as evidence in this courtroom drama to warrant such a drastic measure. The final verdict came with a 4 to 2 vote to pass the ordinance at around 6:30 p.m.

In an attempt to save neighborhoods and bring citizens together, neighbors will be spying on each other to find out who is renting and who is not. Is that family reunion legal? Who is overseeing that birthday party? We may have to call in the authorities. The city does not have an enforcement plan for this ordinance. They can only react to neighbor complaints, so get out those spyglasses and keep a watchful eye. The city is depending on you.

Though a believer in local government and the people who take the time to represent this community, it is hard to see a measure solidify without any basis. The circus of events leading up to the final vote avoided logic, reason, and evidence. However … even with faith in the system damaged, the mountains will still be beautiful tomorrow, the lake will curl to the wind and Sandpoint will still be the most amazing place to live long and prosper.

Brad Golphenee

Sandpoint