The Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial board has an excellent editorial titled, "Venice should negotiate a rental deal". The editorial is about neighborhoods in Venice, Florida concerned about homes being rented on a short term basis. The concern is: I did not buy my home to have a hotel next door.

The editorial board treats this issue fairly and in a balanced manner. The editorial points out, "The city planning department says it knows of only about two dozen rentals currently in single-family neighborhoods." This does not seem like a big problem demanding a city wide solution. Certainly is does not warrant illegal laws and law suits.

I think the real issue concerns beach front property. Investors have bought property near Venice's beaches with the full intent of renting them as a source of income or renting them until the owner can retire from up North and move down and live in the home or apartment.

This is a property rights issue. The City of Venice wants to take from property owners the right to rent their homes. As the editorial points out this is not massive issue. Twenty four homes does not indicate a need for the onerous taking of property.

I was the President of my community association. We are a gated community and have under Florida law certain authority managing our neighborhood. For that privilege we maintain our own streets, common areas, pay annual dues and have bylaws and a board. About four years ago this same issue came up in my community. After much discussion the homeowners changed our bylaws to prevent any owner from renting their property for any reason. Those who were renting at the time of the bylaws change were allowed to rent for one additional year at the end of the existing rental agreement. End of issue.

I am always nervous when a few individuals (remember only twenty four homes are involved) want to take the property rights of the many. If I lived in a community I want that community to be safe and attractive. That keeps my property value higher. The concept is each member of a community takes care of his or her property. The property owner also has a right to do with that property as he or she wishes. There is no indication that any property owner who was renting or their tenets violated any laws.

If a particular neighborhood has a real problem, then they can form a condominium or community association. That neighborhood can then, by the will of the property owners, establish bylaws to cover this issue. Better this is handled at the neighborhood level than by the City of Venice.

Individual responsibility is the key, whether neighbor, owner, or renter.