I was not at the candidates’ forum for county council held at the Orcas High School cafeteria the other night, but I heard that a certain governance theory was described and discussed that has me worried. First, I am shocked that this view of the scope and power of county government still has some traction and currency. But I am not surprised since the sponsor of the forum is opposed to vacation rentals.

The theory goes like this: There is a housing problem on Orcas; there are homes that are not occupied all year-round; the county has a right to occupy those homes with strangers to the owners when the owners are not on the island.

This is not a simplification. This is what members of this organization believe and want to implement. I am dubious, skeptical and practical regarding this theory of quartering of people by force of law in private homes that’s strictly prohibited by the Third Amendment of the Constitution and, certainly beyond that, profoundly unworkable.

Whose homes? What strangers? How long? When is a home considered “vacant”? What remedy do owners have? What compensation takes place? How is this paid for? What is the penalty of the owner that refuses?

This preposterous idea would be laughable, except no one at the forum was laughing. These are the folks who want to end vacation rentals by owners on the island.

I disclose that I am one of those rental owners. We have a cottage 30 feet from our home (which we live in year-round, so don’t eye taking it). Please be alert and be engaged when the credible topic of housing needs is discussed, for there are those supremely organized zealots who are eyeing “alternative” means to solve a real problem. I want a solution. But I don’t want a stranger living in my house when I am off the island.

Brad Brown

Orcas Island