Mayor McCheese and his minions have cobbled together a draconian plan to kill the goose that has been laying the golden eggs in Breckenridge for the past 50 years. In their infinite wisdom, Town Council members think there are too many red-blooded American tourists flashing their Visa cards on Main Street.

They think this incredible economic vitality is bad for the lifestyle of itinerant locals who vote here but don’t pay taxes here. They ignore the fact that short-term rentals are the fuel that run our economic engine, and without them Main Street will become a ghost town, leaving those locals unemployed.

Town Council’s mandate may be unconstitutional. No government entity should be able to pick winners and losers by dictating how an owner uses their property.

Consider Patrick Henry’s plea to avoid taxation without representation. Most of the loudmouth locals clamoring for short-term rental restrictions want the Santa Claus council to provide them with in-town living at taxpayer expense. They do not own property and do not pay taxes, but they do vote here. Likewise, out-of-town owners do pay property taxes, which provide all of our cool recreational, cultural and transportation amenities, but they do not vote here.

Consider the arrogance of this council after sitting through five hours of citizen comments mostly opposed to short-term rental caps and then voting unanimously to approve those restrictions.

I propose that this volatile issue be resolved by a vote of we the people. Put it on November’s ballot, and let the registered voters tell our elected officials how to act.

The next council meeting is July 26 at 7 p.m. in Breckenridge Town Hall. Be there to make your opinion heard.