In response to the Feb. 5 column by Dan Reilly, “Our community and vacation rentals,” I would like to say I completely understand Mr. Reilly’s feelings and agree there should be some proactive regulation put in place to protect the community’s character. I am an owner of a residential property that I don’t live in most of the year, and I do a low level of short-term rentals. After reading Mr. Reilly’s article, I came away feeling like a villain. That certainly isn’t my intention, and I work continuously on keeping my presence at bay.

Like the author, I love the village of Saranac Lake. I am not a lifelong resident. I found out about this beautiful community by accident. My wife and I were driving through town on our way to an appointment in Tupper Lake when we fell in love with what we saw. We loved the charm of downtown and were impressed with the ice castle. Eight months later we owned a small home. The author believes that people who own two or three homes are wealthy; however, we are not. My wife and I punch a clock and have worked for everything we have. Everything we have went into the purchase of this property, and we need a little extra to maintain the house and yard. So we rent it out during the busy months.

While I agree that STRs are getting out of hand, I believe they are a symptom rather than a disease. Upstate New York has been suffering from significant population loss for a couple of decades now. The jobs have dried up, and the tax-regulation climate is not favorable. Many retirees have moved elsewhere and young folks have taken jobs elsewhere, too. That is the start of the degradation of our communities not STRs. Look at upstate towns that aren’t waterside, and you will see blight, decay and economically depressed downtowns.

Instead of pointing fingers at the people buying properties, we should focus on why people are selling properties. Waterside communities have avoided that, but mainly because of the same tourism that many folks are complaining about. When we were looking at properties in the area, most of the properties were on the market for longer than six months, and the owners were motivated sellers. Expecting investors to stay away from available real estate or owners not to sell to investors is unrealistic.

I could have taken my hard-saved money to another state or country, but I truly believe in New York and wanted to invest in its future. We have put considerable money into our home since purchasing it, and almost all of it was spent locally: contractors, furnishings, service providers, all sourced locally. My family comes to visit, and we spend quite a bit at the supermarket, ski resort, local restaurants and bars. I wonder what this area would be like if we turned away all the tourists tomorrow. Yes, those red-cup-carrying tourists are sometimes rude and disrespectful to the area. But economic activity is vital to the core success of a town. Would it be better if jobs were provided by a big smokestack factory in the middle of town, or maybe a 50-story office complex for Google Inc.? I’ll take tourism.

To say investors are profiting off full-time residents just isn’t true. There should be a yearly permit fee, and we are already paying higher property taxes by not qualifying for STAR rebates. Calling for higher property taxes in the highest-taxed state would just drive some out who pay school, county and town taxes, not to mention water fees and utilities. This contributes to the town rather than sapping it. Banning vacation rentals would not solve the area’s problems and return the neighborhoods to a once-idealistic way.

The concerns of lack of available labor and affordable housing is real. Instead of blaming people who buy houses that are for sale, maybe the permitting process for investment could be made better. This newspaper recently reported on complaints from small business owners and contractors about the difficulty getting permits and certificates of occupancy approved for work being done. Also, we should be building more affordable apartments and duplexes for young workers who want to come here to work and live. Sometimes NIMBYism is what stifles that.

I will be clear: The industry needs regulation. I’m already enforcing most of the rules proposed by the town of North Elba. I don’t allow parties or events. I have a three-day minimum. I don’t allow street parking, camping or late-night noise. I limit how many can stay, and I don’t look to rent every day or every week. My neighbors have voiced concerns, and I have done my best to address every one. When Essex County required a registration and collection of occupancy tax, I did so willingly. I will readily comply with the town permit process and regulations.

Calling local investment a “death knell” is counterproductive. I have a genuine interest in knowing my neighbors and maintaining a friendly relationship with them. I would like to be an involved member of this great community. Blaming the changes in this town on STR owners is not the answer. Instead, outsiders who want to set up roots here should be welcomed and invited to take part in what makes this village so great.

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Jason Coryell lives in Merrick, Long Island, when he is not in Saranac Lake.