Too Many Tourists in Our Town?

Morning, Lauren! The usual iced coffee?

Please, Frank. If I can ever reach the counter!

Isn't it wonderful? We've had a line since six!

Wonderful for you, maybe. It took me forty minutes to park.

Come on, that's just summer. What's really bothering you?

My landlord isn't renewing my lease in September.

What? You've rented that place for years!

He's turning it into a vacation rental instead.

He'll make more in one week than I pay monthly.

I'm really sorry, Lauren. That's awful news.

But honestly, tourists keep this whole town alive.

My summer sales pay the bills all winter long.

Without them, half these shops would close, wouldn't they?

I'm not saying tourists are the problem, Frank.

But who's going to teach your grandkids if teachers can't live here?

Two of my colleagues already moved inland this year.

Two teachers? I had no idea it was that bad.

And have you seen the beach on Monday mornings? Trash everywhere.

Fair point. Half those cups out there are probably mine.

But if we ban rentals, won't visitors just go elsewhere?

Not a ban. A limit, like some towns already have.

Homeowners could rent out one place, not five.

You mean big investors couldn't buy up whole streets?

Exactly. People who work here need homes here.

And money for housing? That costs a fortune.

A small tourist tax! Just a few dollars a night.

It could go straight into homes for local workers.

Wait, my baristas could actually afford to live in town?

Now that's an idea I can get behind!

There's a town meeting on Thursday. Will you come?

Come? I'll bring coffee for the whole room!

Careful, Frank. That sounds like a business opportunity.

Guilty as charged! But I'll speak up, too.

Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you.

This town needs its teachers. And its coffee!