Editor, Tillamook County Pioneer
I am writing in response to an article by Jerry Keene originally published in The Oceansider and titled “Crunch Time at the County STR Committee; Meeting Tomorrow March 14th”. The Pioneer republished the article on March 13, 2023. (See link to article below.)
As a full-time, active resident of Neahkahnie, I believe it is critical to set the record straight regarding false assertions made by Mr. Keene in that article. Mr. Keene stated that “a petition effort to ban STRs was gathering steam” in Neskowin and Neahkahnie prior to the County’s action to reconvene the STR Advisory Committee and order a 12-month “pause” on the issuance of new STR permits. I do not know what occurred in Neskowin. However, I am aware of what has taken place in Neahkahnie and Mr. Keene’s statement is patently false regarding Neahkahnie. Mr. Keene also suggests that petitions to ban STRs are being readied now. No such efforts are underway in Neahkahnie.
It is true that the Neahkahnie community is keenly interested in the County’s regulation of STRs and is fully engaged in the STR Advisory Committee public comment process on this matter. The numerous comments from Neahkahnie generally reflect a desire for the County to adopt balanced, reasonable STR regulation. I do not know of any suggestion and certainly not a petition that STRs should be banned in Neahkahnie.
Addressing uncontrolled STR growth in Tillamook County in a responsible and fair manner is an important issue facing the County. Publishing incorrect and inflammatory statements is not helpful to the process.
David Boone
Neahkahnie resident