Opinion

LTE: Abuse of Power

In an egregious example of abuse of power, 4 members of the Sunapee Selectboard voted to not comply with the newly adopted zoning ordinance for short term rentals (STRS). Selectboard Members Trow, Gottling, Gallup and Hawthorn each stated that the town had “more important priorities” to focus on, so they grandfathered the 160+ STRs that had been in business illegally for years. Hawthorn and Trow stated it “didn’t feel right” to vote in violation of the ordinance, but the town didn’t have enough resources to deal with all of these STRs.

Selectboard Chairperson Carol Wallace was the lone board member who voted in support of the residents of Sunapee and the new ordinance. She stated that it is her responsibility to represent the voters of Sunapee who voted her into office. The residents voted for this ordinance and that the town should comply with what the residents have put into law. Planning Board Chairperson Peter White agreed with Wallace and stated that the Zoning Chairperson Jeff Claus also agreed with Wallace.

The 4 selectboard members who voted to ignore the ordinance and their constituents’ vote should step down immediately since they are in violation of the law and do not represent the residents of Sunapee.

Sunapee Citizens for Democracy

Ann Bordeianu

Sunapee, NH

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