In today’s toxic and challenging political environment, we need all political leaders to speak honestly and without hidden agendas. I believe Councilman Turano’s letter was disappointing and misleading and that it failed on several accounts.
Councilman Turano is a property owner in Middletown, and he benefits financially from the short-term rental market. In his Letter to the Editor, Mr. Turano makes people who own second homes, many of which generate rental income appear as victims because they can’t vote in Middletown but get taxed on the properties they own in Middletown. I’m sorry, but I don’t identify people who own multiple homes as victims; I think they are very fortunate. As for being penalized by not being allowed to vote in Middletown while being taxed in Middletown, Councilman Turano offers another misleading fact. People with multiple homes (one in Middletown and other home(s) in another location) absolutely could vote in Middletown in they choose. Many of the people Mr. Turano refers to have made the choice to live much of their time in other locations and therefore make themselves ineligible to vote in Middletown; that is a personal choice, not a penalty. Choices have consequences.
In closing, Councilman Turano is correct that the Town Council and Town Administrator have a fiduciary responsibility to protect all residents of Middletown, and I believe the current Council and Town Administrator are doing exactly that. Where Councilman Turano’s judgment is clouded is when he states non-residents should have the right to vote for local issues. I believe Councilman Turano’s comments in this area heavily influenced by his participation in the short-term rental market and as a sitting Councilman he should not be involved in expressing his opinion on a political issue in which he has a financial interest and that he should recuse himself from all votes involving short term rental issues going forward. Middletown voters should carefully consider the positions of each of the candidates regarding the short-term rental market issue in our town and vote accordingly. All candidates wishing to represent the citizens of Middletown should absolutely express their position on the short-term rental issue due to the significant potential negative impact on our community.
Gregory Huet
Middletown Resident
Letter To The Editor: Taxation without representation for Middletown nonresidents, renters
Damn Greg you got my vote!
Well said. It’s seems like some council members and some who are desperately trying to become one, are definitely voting and lobbying in the interests of the short term rentals, and not for the constituents who are in desperate need of AFFORDABLE housing, or maybe just one home they may dream of one day owning.
Thank you Mr. Ferris but I am not running for Town Council; I am currently a Member of the Middletown School Committee.