In response to David Townsend’s letter (“Other side of rentals,” The Daily Astorian, Sept. 29): Let’s get the facts straight. David Townsend is an out-of-state owner of a Gearhart short-term vacation rental, and owner of a political consulting company representing other short-term vacation rental owners.

His company is working to convince Gearhart voters to repeal and replace the current city regulations with a measure which would result in an unlimited number of short-term vacation rentals in Gearhart.

Townsend says our property values are being affected under the current city regulations. He is trying to scare Gearhart homeowners. He says you may not be able to sell your home if we don’t allow unlimited vacation rentals. That is not the truth.

Here are the facts. Since the implementation of the current Gearhart short-term rental regulations, there has been a boom in the sale of Gearhart homes to people looking for full-time residences. Houses in Gearhart have recently sold at full price after being on the market for just one day. There’s so much new construction that local contractors are booked out for over a year. Yes, you can easily sell your house today under the current short-term rental regulations.

Townsend is also selling the notion that his short-term rental measure will be good for the Gearhart economy. What really is good for the Gearhart economy is more full-time residents who patronize local businesses all year, instead of having to rely on visitors during the summer, and then trying to survive the winter months.

Vote “no” on Measure 4-188. Keep Gearhart residential.

Randy Wiltgen

Gearhart