Regular Underground commenter and Dunsmuir resident Dave Edmondson is fighting an attempt by a single truly irritating individual resident of Dunsmuir who wants to regulate – or even outlaw – vacation rental housing in the town.
If you rent/fish/stay in Dunsmuir, you might want to visit his site, and then leave a quick supporting comment here.
I won’t bore you with a detailed recounting of vicious small town politics where a few gasbags are always looking to stir up trouble where there isn’t any, but suffice it to say Dave’s trying to counter of a lot of very, very odd arguments – and more than a few personal attacks.
One small example? A proponent of stringent vacation rental regulation suggested vacation rentals were ripe for use by pedophiles looking to defile Dunsmuir’s youth.
Gotta love thoughtful political discourse like that.
See you online, Tom Chandler.
Hey Tom! Thanks so much for using your space for this and putting out the word. And thanks to everyone who has commented so far. I’m nowhere near as competent and energetic as Tom, so updates to the web-site are a bit slow, but I’m trying to follow the progress and report on this issue as soon as I learn of any news.
Meanwhile…I’m in the sticks of Ohio for a few more days with very spotty internet connection. I’ll process and upload the comments as soon as I can.
Thanks again all! Your comments should prove to be very helpful.
– Dave
SmellsLikeFish(Quote)
This from a Man who owns a rotting piece of real estate in Dunsmuir he hopes to pawn off as “vacation rental”.
IN the real world, the Vacation rentals contribute NOTHING to the local economy. They bring their own food, fishing gear and entertainment to the Vacation Rentals. The Owners pay nothing toward local Fire Department, Schools or local Businesses.
They all live somewhere else, and give a damn about
Dunsmuir and it’s issues.
There are TWO sides to every pitch, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mark Ostrom(Quote)
Both Dave and I have vacation rentals in Dunsmuir and live here. Our properties are kept up and well maintained as are are most vacation rentals since who would rent one that is a dump. We not only pay all the taxes we also pay a t.o.t. tax to the city. I suppose the motels supply fishing gear and food and I guess listening to the people in the next room could be called entertainment.
Myrna Rae
wayne eng(Quote)
Interesting points, Mark. And I say interesting because none of them are true. The sad part is; what is, or at least should be a property right now needs to be justified as economically good for the community. How about we take away your rights to free speech because you exercising your rights provides no economic benefit to the community?
SmellsLikeFish(Quote)
Very odd. Vacation rental owners pay the same property tax as everyone else, and also a TOT (transient) tax to the city.
Dunsmuir’s economy is largely tourist based, and I would bet the Ted Fay Fly Shop, Burger Barn, Seng Thong’s and a few others would be surprised to hear people don’t buy anything local.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Did I say a bloody thing about property tax? Dunsmuir is full of buildings standing empty owned by big city folks who deduct the waste from their taxes. They pay their property tax too… all buck two ninety eight of it.
I’m talking about presence: Neighborhoods of Neighbors: Not neighborhoods of nasty “Trooper” bound rich guys who would stand and photograph a fire or train wreck ’cause, what the hell, THEY don’t LIVE there. They’re only there for the fishing.
And give me a break… I’m not advocating anything other than that the RESIDENTS of Dunsmuir have a greater say than the owners of BUSINESS LAND and should and hopefully always WILL.
Nobody wants to live next to a hotel. Or am I wrong here too?
Mark Ostrom(Quote)
There is a line from an old Eagles song that says something like “call some place paradise and kiss it goodbye”. There is a lot of truth to that statement. I lived for quite a few years in SE Alaska and saw the region move from fishing, forestry and mining towards an economy based on tourism. There was definitely a downside to that move but it did provide a way for those remote towns to survive.
I’m assuming that the DCF just wants their little mountain town to stay the same as it has always been. That is a sentiment shared by most everyone who has the good fortune to live in a beautiful location. Unfortunately, that is not how it works. There are millions of people out there who would love to move into the house next to you. When they can’t manage that many will often just visit for a few days each year and dream of how nice it would be to stay forever. The owners of vacation rentals are providing a valuable service that allows visitors into your town and into your economy.
I can see that there may be some health and safety issues that could require regulation. If the DCF have some serious issues how about they actually work with the home owners instead of just throwing out a bunch tabloid-style statements. Vacation rentals promote pedophilia? Really? Schools, youth sports and churches have had their fair share of crimes against children and I imagine the folks at the DCF are not attacking those organizations. I have been to Dunsmuir and can understand a resident’s desire to keep it from becoming a neon lit strip mall surrounded by flop houses. However, I think I can safely say that a better way to protect your town is to work with all the parties involved and strive for a common goal. This shite that the DCF is pulling is so unbelievably counter-productive that I am always amazed that people still resort to these sorts of tactics.
Dave, for what it’s worth, you have my support and I wish you the best. My wife and I have traveled a quite bit in England and Scotland and we always look for a small inn or B&B located in a neighborhood. We meet more of the local people that way and feel as if we are a part of the town for a day or two. You don’t get that when you stay at a Marriott.
Scott(Quote)
You know…I stay in Dunsmuir 3 or so times a year. It’s a drive from where I live to get there. I DON’T bring everything I need when I go. I bring a folding chair and an empty ice chest, and a couple of rods. I don’t bring a damn thing really! I fill the ice chest when I get my room, which has no TV I might add, but means nothing in this discussion. I eat at places in town or buy what I need from the little market. This MAY seem a surprise to some but a weekend in Dunsmuir costs about 500 bucks (not counting fuel) and I stay in what amounts to a two room shack and I love it.
And…what’s the problem with an empty building as long as it’s maintained? I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to rent one of those vacant shops and move my business there! I think, pretty much, an empty building=quiet neighbors!
If there’s something going on in a quiet building, call the cops! There seems to be no shortage of them in Dunsmuir! State, county and local! All of them looking for something to do! How do all those guys get paid and run their cars and trucks all over the countryside?
OK…I’m starting to ramble, if the folks of Dunsmuir don’t want tourist dollars, it’s easy enough to discourage that. Then you guys can raise your property taxes to cover the loss and all is well once again. And it might come as a surprise to you but when people BUY property it raises ALL your property values. Your values drop like a rock when people STOP buying. I can hear the “whoosh” through that little ghost town right now.
Since when don’t the residents have a say in thier community? That’s what this whole thing is about? Everyone having their say. I really don’t know what the actual gripe is? Other than there is a gripe?
Good luck! And let me know so I can just blow through town next time. Whoosh! Here I come Oregon! Kinda rhymes!
‘nudder beer please?
BShay(Quote)
Mark: I agree that Dunsmuir has a significant problem with empty commercial space, but that’s a separate issue. There was talk of forcing landlords to rent the spaces rather than let them sit empty (and the jerk who owns the theater and the Castle Rock Inn would be target #1), but in truth, that’s probably an unenforceable statue – and not a good idea to begin with.
The vacation rental issue is more clear cut, and since the city doesn’t really regulate long-term rentals, I’m not sure why short-term rentals would be a target.
Frankly, a community like Dunsmuir (or Mt. Shasta) is probably harmed more (on a “neighborhood” level) by those buying properties for weekend homes; they sit empty all but a few weeks out of the year.
I gotta say this has a personal feel to it; you’ve always been a vocal commenter here on the Underground and I value that, but the whole “rotting property” thing had a weird feel about it. What’s going on?
TC
Tom Chandler(Quote)
“Did I say a bloody thing about property tax? ”
No, you just overlooked it. When you stated “The Owners pay nothing toward local Fire Department, Schools or local Businesses” you must have neglected to consider that the owners pay property taxes. PLUS they pay TOT. And how do the owners contribute nothing to local businesses? Some owners live here and even the ones who don’t still use local labor and supplies to maintain their properties. I’d consider that a contribution to local business. Now if you want to contend that they don’t contribute because they don’t send their kids to our school, you could have a valid point. However, many long-term renters and permanent residents don’t send kids to our school either. So that argument doesn’t carry much weight, unless we vote to eliminate any childless residents.
“I’m talking about presence: Neighborhoods of Neighbors: Not neighborhoods of nasty “Trooper†bound rich guys who would stand and photograph a fire or train wreck ’cause, what the hell, THEY don’t LIVE there. They’re only there for the fishing.”
While I have no idea what it means to be “Trooper” bound, I have a much less bleak view of the vacation renters and probably of humanity too. Besides myself, I know several people who’ve moved here after being vacation renters for years. Most of the folks in the vacation rentals are there because they enjoy feeling part of the community. After meeting many of them, I’d be willing to bet that a substantial number of them would jump right in and help out in the event of a fire, flood or other natural disaster. And yes, they may be here for the fishing, but some are here for the community as well. It’s just too bad that there are a few vocal members of the community who want to keep vacationers out and who don’t see the benefits of allowing a property owner to decide to whom he can rent.
“And give me a break… I’m not advocating anything other than that the RESIDENTS of Dunsmuir have a greater say than the owners of BUSINESS LAND and should and hopefully always WILL.”
First off, the residents of Dunsmuir have a great deal of control over property rights through existing zoning laws. Further, disturbances and nuisances are already covered by local ordinances. Business land is generally referred to as commercial property in the real-estate world. And here’s where those opposed to vacation rental property are trying to twist the laws; they’re trying to say a vacation rental is being used as commercial property just because the renters stay there less than 30 days. Why? We don’t call a long term rental commercial. We don’t forbid owners from allowing family or friends to stay for less than 30 days free of charge. Why then, as soon as a dollar is exchanged, does that give people a feeling that they have a right to dictate who you can allow to stay in your house? Sorry Mark, I just can’t agree that who I allow to stay in my house can be decided by majority vote. It’s a property right and taking away that right is theft – whether the law is behind it or not.
SmellsLikeFish(Quote)
Tom,
I see you live in Mount Shasta where vacation rentals have been outlawed in residential -1 zones by ordinance # 000-97-02 and restricted to 2.5 acre lots in your town’s sphere of influence by Siskiyou County Resolution 03-121.
Your City’s (Mount Shasta) law “finds and declares that allowing short-term rentals of less than thirty (30) consecutive days constitutes a commercial use of property which jeaopardizes the public health and safety, quiet use and enjoyment, and the market value, of nearby residential properties, creates potential parking, noise, and law enforcement promblems…
Given your strong commitment to transient vaction rentals, I’m wondering why you don’t battle this law and the “gasbags” in your own town? Is it that maybe you don’t want to live next to a hotel either!
By the way, I watched this issue in the press and remember very clearly that more than 200 people in the little town of Dunsmuir signed a petition objecting to their City Government’s vacation rental policy. I think your friend Dave should be a little more honest.
In summary, it seems you are a hypocrit when it comes to vacation rentals hoping the good people of Dunsmuir just wont put two and two together. The low quality of community character caused by unlimited and unregulated is something you seem all too willing to serve up to the good people of Dunsmuir but unwilling to swallow yourself.
Mercedes(Quote)
Mercedes: Please explain how I (Dave) have been less than honest. Not afraid of a bit of slander, are you? And wow, 200 signatures from a population of about 1800! As I stated in a planning commission meeting; I’ll bet I could get 200 people to sign a petition asking for a moratorium on blue houses. But that doesn’t make it just.
Interesting too, how the neighborhood where this whole issue began, just had a house seized by the Sheriff’s department because the owner was dealing meth. Guess it’s okay for a drug dealer to live there as long as it wasn’t someone having the audacity to visit the neighborhood for less than a month.
As for Tom fighting the vacation rental ban in Mt. Shasta; I’m pretty sure the ban was put in place before he lived there. And Mercedes, please explain in specific terms how a vacation rental is a hotel. ‘Cause nobody else has been able to explain that logically. I’m dying to hear how a HOUSE with no sign, no front desk, no desk clerk, no cleaning staff, and only one unit (the house itself) to rent is a hotel. And how is it that when it’s rented for more than 30 days it’s a house, but less than 30 days it’s a hotel? And please explain how a house used for residential purposes becomes a commercial use. Let’s see, if it’s rented for more than 30 days, it’s a rental property, but if it’s rented for less than 30 days it’s a commercial property. No really, go ahead and explain it.
And while you’re at it, please explain how the “unlimited and unregulated” vacation rentals contribute to “the low quality of community character.” Excuse me?! Low quality of community character? Look Mercedes, if you don’t like Dunsmuir, you don’t have to visit, but please have the decency not to insult the town I call home. As for the vacationers whom I’ve met here, they all seem to really enjoy Dunsmuir and in my opinion, add to the HIGHER quality of community character.
Here’s a news flash: when you live in a house, you have property rights. You don’t however, necessarily have rights to dictate how your neighbors live. If you want those rights, you move into a planned community with CC&Rs. Fortunately, Dunsmuir is not yet that.
SmellsLikeFish(Quote)
Mercedes: I don’t live in Mt. Shasta. I live in the county.
So I guess I’m not a hypocrite. But I am willing to say that someone who accuses me of hypocrisy without a grasp of the facts is probably kind of an ass.
As for low character, the people I know that visit Dunsmuir – pouring money into via its restaurants, shops, and other services (like fly fishing guides) – are hardly of low character, nor are they pedophiles, as one crazed person once alleged.
Get off your horse.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Rent the house for a year’s lease (fly fishers only) for the weekend rate.
TC (wink winking): “Darnit, that wascally wenter moved out early on me.”
Ordinance solved.
Turnip Truck Driver(Quote)
Tom,
Even if you live in Siskiyou County–you still appear to be a hypocrite. Why don’t you get busy and battle to repeal all the Siskiyou County Regulations and Planning Commission reviews that are currently protecting you? Get rid of County Resolution 03-121 which provides a 2.5 acre density buffer and then maybe you can see what it is like to live next to a transient vaction rental in a housing area with 30 to 100 foot wide lots.
Tom, you can not hide behind the benefits of these ordinances for your personal comfort on the one hand and, on the other hand, try to slam unlimited and unregulated vacation rentals down the throats of the good people of Dunsmuir without looking like a Hypocrite. Please, be factual and tell us what you have done to repeal these ordinances?
In the interest of factual accuracy which you seem so interested, stop telling people on your website contact page that you live in the city of Mount Shasta and then, conversely, blogging that you live in unicorporated Siskiyou County. Which is it Tom? You are looking like a slippery fish gasping for air.
Mercedes(Quote)
Dave,
How many of your estimated 1800 residents are registered voters? Generally, just a little over half of the population of the United States are registered voters. United States population is 304, 000,000 and 162, 000, 000 are registered voters. So, one
can safely assume Dave that just a few more than 900 of your 1800 residents are registered voters.
More than 200 registered voter signatures out of 900 is a significant amount and should not be ignored in a Democratic Country.
Mercedes(Quote)
Mercedes,
I think I’ve got you pegged: You’re the busy-body type who always feels that government (and the majority) get to decide how everyone else lives their life. Why is it you people can always throw out statistics like they’re embedded in your spirit? You’re also long on delivering the slander, but can’t seem to back up your accusations. You inferred that I’m a liar, but you’ve failed to offer any proof. You call Tom a hypocrite, but that title fits you to a tee. And here’s why: You’re concerned that the residents of Dunsmuir have a say in who I can allow to stay in my house. Yet, you don’t think those who haven’t registered to vote have that right. So only the opinions of SOME people count. That’s some Democracy you espouse there, sport.
And here’s another thought that may not have crossed into that thick skull of yours: Tom was taking sides not only because he owns property in Dunsmuir, but also because the issue came up for debate. The issue has already been decided in Mt. Shasta. That’s not to say he couldn’t attempt to reopen the issue, but exactly how much of his time should he devote to it before you’ll decide he’s no longer a hypocrite? Should he fight vacation rental bans in all of California? Would that be enough to convince you he’s not a hypocrite? Or maybe throughout the U.S?
BTW, thanks for posting the quote about why Mt. Shasta has outlawed vacation rentals. It really makes the whole thing sound stupid. Here it is again: “finds and declares that allowing short-term rentals of less than thirty (30) consecutive days constitutes a commercial use of property which jeopardizes the public health and safety, quiet use and enjoyment, and the market value, of nearby residential properties, creates potential parking, noise, and law enforcement problems…” So, just how does a short term rental accomplish all those problems?
Instead of saying “short-term rentals”, why don’t we say “black people?” That way it’d read; “finds and declares that allowing rentals to black people jeopardizes the public health and safety, quiet use and enjoyment, and the market value, of nearby residential properties, creates potential parking, noise, and law enforcement problems…” There again, I could probably find 200 registered voters to sign that petition. Wouldn’t make it right though.
Like Mr. Ostrom before you on this blog, as well as the rest of those in favor of the ban, your opinions just don’t stand up to reason and logic. Mercedes, please have the decency not to visit this community of “low quality … character.” We’d hate to have you suffer.
SmellsLikeFish(Quote)
I’ll tell you what. I have been waiting a long time to fix up my grandmother’s old house in Dunsmuir. Nope, I don’t live there. I live in the “Big City” down in Redding. I consider the time I spent wisiting my grandparents in Dunsmuir to be some of the best years of my life. If we hadn’t put a great deal of money into that property, it wouldn’t have stood another heavy winter. Now that the property is worth far more than its previous estimated value of around 30 grand, we HAVE to rent it out so that we can cover the property taxes every year. Tell ya what….. even in its previous condition it was in alot better shape than many of the homes in that town being occupied.
If the city or the county decides to ban vacation rentals, they can expect me to pay my property taxes based on the value of the house before it was remodeled. If the town doesn’t like people bringing their own food in, open some more places like Cornerstone, and Cafe Madalena. I have watched that poor town wither away and die since I was born in 1976, and at this point tourism is one of the only things left holding it together. Nobody has any motivation, any inspiration, or any vision anymore. You should thank the “Big City” folks for injecting their tax dollars into Dunsmuir. It’s basically life support for a town that is slowly dying.
john bastiani(Quote)
John Bastiani’s got it right. Without tourism, Dunsmuir is headed downhill quick. Be welcoming to anyone who wishes to visit this town or it’s economy will continue to slide.
JAMEY NELSON(Quote)