I support regulating short term rentals in York: Letters

I support regulating short term rentals in York

April 22 − To the Editor:

The April 2024 Town of York Voter’s Guide provides a detailed explanation of Article Sixty-Four to establish a Short Term Residential Rental Ordinance.  The Amendment is proposed to address an important issue facing the residents.  As a homeowner living near summer rentals, I welcome the Town’s efforts. I also cannot understand why any responsible landlord would not be in favor.  It is good for those who rent properties responsibly and makes accountable those who do not.  Unfortunately, stories abound about overcrowded rentals that are disruptive to neighborhoods and which lead to related problems including trash storage, overflow parking (a public safety issue when blocking sidewalks), hazardous unpermitted open fires, and disrespectful late night parties.  This Amendment is good for the Town of York.  It will make York more attractive to reputable visitors and for those who are not, provide some relief to residents.

Richard Topping

York, Maine

Move weapons quickly to Ukraine

April 24 − To the Editor:

Within our huge defense budget, why doesn’t Secretary Austin have the resources to have our weapon shipments for Ukraine ready to move immediately following Biden’s signature on the Congressional authorization?

Malcolm Odell

Exeter

Letter on green energy contained climate misinformation

April 24 − To the Editor:

When Mr. Jim Fernald in his April 23 ^rd letter to the editor makes the assertion that “not all green energy is clean energy,” let’s keep in mind that there is no such thing as 100% clean energy that comes without some environmental cost.  Mr. Fernald’s critique of EVs and offshore wind sound like talking points from the oil and gas industry.

Consider first the relatively small volume of lithium and cobalt used in the lifetime of an electric vehicle (approx. 1 kg of each), and how both can be recycled.  By comparison, a study out of Europe determined that the fuel consumption for an average sized car is comparable to a tower of oil barrels stacked as high as a 25-foot-high building.  And all that combusted gasoline contributes to greenhouse gas emissions over the lifetime of the car.

Mr. Fernald also references “reports” of harm to whales, dolphins, seals, and phytoplankton by wind farms. I wonder where those reports originate – Fox News perhaps?  All these species are adversely affected by rising sea temperatures related to climate change. An engine search on the subject will uncover no reputable marine scientists attributing an alarming increase in these species’ mortality to any offshore wind technology.

Our country may or may not overcome a crisis of disinformation. If we can stop the re-election of Trump and preserve our democratic system, the next test will be whether we can overcome climate disinformation and do what must be done to address this existential threat.

Phil Harford

Newmarket

A view on why campus protests appear anti-Semitic

April 24 − To the Editor:

In the waning days of World War II, the United States fire-bombed the city of Dresden killing perhaps as many as 30,000 civilians, then occupied major sections of Germany. For a US citizen to have called the fire-bombing an atrocity and for an end to the occupation would have been perfectly legitimate free speech. But if protesters did so while waving the Nazi flag, full swastika on display, their credibility would tank to zero. To regard them as anti-Semitic would be a logical conclusion, especially if they engaged in harassment of Jewish students, even if that was done by a minority of the protesters.

Today we are witnessing protests on college campuses across America against the Israeli actions in Gaza. These protesters say, “Some amongst us are Jews, and we even held a seder at the pro-Palestinian sit in at Columbia, How could we possibly be antisemitic?” Let me explain.

While horrified by the assault of October 7, the hostage taking and their continued captivity, I as a human being and as a Jewish American am disgusted by everything about the Netanyahu government, and sickened by the suffering of Palestinian non-combatants as a result of the way that government has waged this war. But the idea of expressing that by marching behind the Hamas flag and chanting Hamas slogans is unthinkable. The slogan “Palestine shall be free from the river to the sea” means the dismantling of the Israeli state, the establishment of an ISIS style caliphate in its place, and the murder of all Jews who do not flee into exile. It is not a call for peaceful co-existence, nor is it freedom by any stretch of the imagination. To accuse Israel of genocide while willfully blind to the fact that Hamas’s stated goal is slaughter of Jews, and their actions back up that intent, is hypocrisy unchanged by the fact that some at the sit-ins are Jewish.

Let’s accept for the moment that the majority of those at the sit-ins may not be motivated by hatred of Jews; but, those whose cause is advanced by their actions certainly are. While the majority may not realize, or may deny the true meaning of the slogan they are chanting, those who lead them certainly do. Scary world we live in.

Jeffrey Cooper

Portsmouth

Please join me in supporting Dr. Marilyn McLaughlin on York Selectboard

April 26 -- To the Editor:

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Dr. Marilyn McLaughlin’s continued presence on the York Board of Selectmen. Ever since moving to York in 2014, Dr. McLaughlin has been deeply dedicated to the York community.  A long-time Rotarian, Dr. McLaughlin served as the President of the York Rotary from 2016 – 2017 and continues to be an active and enthusiastic member, helping York support urgent needs in Maine and connect to the world. She has also served as the chair of Mission and Service at St. George’s Episcopal Church. As a physician, Dr. McLaughlin gives skilled, compassionate care to countless cancer patients every year, while simultaneously showing up as a committed public servant. As a Selectwoman, Dr. McLaughlin will continue to use her energy, intelligence and persistence to benefit York, helping us to navigate the challenges of climate change and make wise decisions for the future.

Kate Gardoqui

Cape Neddick, Maine

Social media is purposely addictive

April 26 -- To the Editor:

Ever wonder why your crazy uncle keeps spouting conspiracy theories at holiday dinners?  Perhaps because social media companies undermine democracy by acting as stealth publishers. For years, these companies claimed to be creator content platforms while upholding the free speech values of the First Amendment. However, some social media companies discovered that driving slanted information to users maximized profits. They stopped being “content platform providers” and became publishers by recommending addictive content.  This material destroys democracy when it causes users to become less able to make informed decisions about their own governance.

Companies know the most engaging content holds users’ attention by evoking strong emotions, especially anger.  This is intensified by promoting conspiracy theories, misinformation and disinformation. Social media companies utilize algorithms to drive to users the most addictive material rather than broadscale creator content. The longer users are engaged, the more ads they see. The more ads seen, the greater the profits.  In short, the more incendiary the content, the higher the profits.

Ask your legislators to review Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act giving social media companies broad legal and regulatory immunity.  Let’s hold these tech companies responsible before its too late.

Lorraine L. Hansen

Rollinsford

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: I support regulating short term rentals in York: Letters