I am part owner of a small family-owned property management company on the west side my mom started 50 years ago. Clearly, myself and all of our employees and vendors are concerned with the possibility of the pending STR ban, as it would put our company out of business and many people I love out of work.

Not only do we manage short-term rentals but long-term as well, and we are struggling to find tenants, believe it or not.

Add to that the fact most, if not all, condos have recently had their fees go up anywhere from 35-150 percent, the amount we need to break even. It is simply cost-prohibitive for most people to rent these primarily one-bedroom units.

Coupled with the fact that all jobs in the area depend upon tourism, the reality is the units currently rented as short-term are not in any way a viable option for housing.

If this plan is implemented, most will sit vacant.

I get it. Housing is an issue all over the world, but taking away a vital source of revenue not only for the owners, managers and vendors, not to mention the state and county, is short sighted and will not solve the problem.

Should this bill pass as proposed, it will create more grief and unnecessary tragedy to those of us affected.

To the council: please, vote no on this bill.

Lonelle Newman

Lahaina