Opposition in Fairfax undermines governance

Good government requires respect for institutions and for other people. A basic honesty is essential for our representative democracy to work. Teliha Draheim's recently published letter, titled “Fairfax rent ordinances unfair to property owners,” is an example of attitudes that undermine such foundations of governance.

Like the many who spoke out in opposition to the rent ordinances at the February Fairfax Town Council meeting, Draheim appears to claim to be able to speak for all property owners. However, I do not think she does. I have done informal surveys of property owners since the vacation rental businesses (like Airbnb) became active in town and have found a distinct division among owners.

I have found that many owners are ambivalent about the rent ordinances — most feel it has no effect on them as they are not landlords. Only a small number of Fairfax residents are landlords. Some people are absentee landlord owners.

I think the majority of homeowners complain that vacation rentals result in more noise, parking problems and litter. Draheim, like many landlords, is ignoring these effects on nonlandlord owners. Yet she also seems free to pretend she is not running a business that other people who own property do not benefit from. That business is being a landlord.

Most property owners I have talked to look at the rental ordinances as a first step to control the detrimental effects of vacation rentals. Opponents of the rent ordinances have distorted the intended meaning of the rules. They have created an atmosphere of distrust and anger, which has caused many to fear loss of income or control.

Those fears are unfounded. It is time for Fairfax residents to come forward and consider the issue in a rational and calm fashion.

— Niccolo Caldararo, Fairfax