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www.newbuffalotimes.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2022
Mayor disputes mailer urging his recall
N Following the “World’s Largest Flag Day Parade” in downtown Three Oaks Sunday, June 12, Three Oaks Village President Richard Smith presented the key to the village to Miss and Mr. Three Oaks/River Valley, Maura Killips and Sebastian Kirk, at the Three Oaks American Legion Post 204. — PHOTO BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
BY STAN MADDUX
ew Buffalo Mayor John Humphrey said flyers making claims of restricted property rights are fake news aimed at having him and city councilman Brian Flanagan removed from office. “These people are putting out misinformation for two reasons. They either don’t understand, are uninformed or just ignorant of the process and how these things work or they’re doing it maliciously,” he said. An effort is underway to try and recall Humphrey and Flanagan over their support of a cap on short-term rentals and new regulations governing the use of existing vacation homes. Recently, citizens began receiving information in their mailboxes alleging diminished property rights and invasion of privacy on large post cards in support of the recall attempt. The post cards allege it’s now illegal for people to allow family members or struggling friends to live in their homes rent free under the city’s new long-term rental ordinance. There’s also mention of a $250 fine for violators and a $150 fee for an inspector to go through their homes. “New Buffalo is governing WHO is close to you and who’s allowed to stay in your home rent free,” the card proclaims. In response, Humphrey said residents can let parents or anyone else stay in their primary residence or second home at no cost. He said a $150 inspection fee must be paid only if guests are living in a second residence used previously for commercial purposes or if rent is currently being charged. Humphrey said homes used commercially must be inspected to help prevent a fire or some other tragedy and protect the city financially from potential liability if people were injured or died while staying in a vacation home the city failed to inspect.
“You can’t let people live in homes that you’re renting as a business uninspected. It’s just the law,” he said. Humphrey said the mailers were distributed by the same people involved in the recall attempt and lawsuits against the city over things like the cap on short-term rentals. He said some of those people also complained a few years ago about homes lived in by nearly a dozen or more restaurant workers. He said the city answered their concerns with the long-term rental ordinance now being used as a tool in their recall effort. “They were calling about that complaining you got to do something about that. So, we did and now they’re complaining about what we did,” he said. Humphrey said requiring rental homes to be registered helps the city enforce the regulations but also looks out for property owners who might not realize they must have commercial insurance or they’re in violation of some other land use. “If you don’t live there and you’re using it for commercial use to make a profit you could potentially be violating your mortgage and that’s mortgage fraud,” he said. Prior to adopting the ordinances, Humphrey said the city lacked proper land use regulations and, in some cases, was breaking or unable to enforce some laws. He said the goal from the beginning was to do not just the right thing for the community but what the city was legally obligated to do under state and federal guidelines. “A lot of these people try to pretend they’re not commercial businesses. When something goes wrong and you’re caught, it’s a big deal. These are the things that got to be cleaned up for the future and safety of the community,” he said. Humphrey and Flanagan would have to run for election half way through their first terms if more than 200 signatures are obtained on recall petitions. The vote would occur in November.
