VRBO: Rebuttal rebutted

On Lorri Erickson’s rebuttal to my opinion piece “VRBO, Nightmare to Some, Dream to Others,” she quotes William Shakespeare saying, ‘Me thinks thou dost protest too much,’ and concludes that I am hiding my real agenda by maligning her for going to the county government. She declares that I attacked her as the messenger instead of staying with the issues.

Ms. Erickson, are you projecting your own tactics on me in order to detract from my argument? According to you, my “real agenda” was to hide the fact that I own a rental in Coeur d’Alene that used to be a VRBO. Key fact that should be stressed, USED to be a VRBO.

Since 2019 it has been just a rental, with tenants who have a lease. You’ve spread misinformation about me that I’d like to correct.

I have no permit on record, because no permit is required. Our rental is still one of the best looking homes in the neighborhood. We follow the HOA rules, plus provide professional mowing and weed control for our tenants. Our neighbors loved us when the home was a VRBO, and they still love us because we take care of our property and keep good people in there.

The philosopher Theophrastus offered this: “In the proffered services of the busybody there is much of the affectation of kind-heartedness, and little efficient aid.” A “marplot” is a busybody whose chief pleasure is knowing everybody’s business, a …do-gooder, meddler … someone who meddles in the affairs of others.”

I can’t help but wonder what you do when you are not busy making trouble for your neighbors?

ANNE PATTERSON

Coeur d’Alene