JTTA's Letter to Short Term Rentals!

From:  J.T.T.A.

April 1, 2020
 
 
Good morning all - 
 
 
I hope you are all well and taking all the necessary precautions to stay safe and practice good social distancing in these very trying times. When the time is right, the JTTA will again advertise our beautiful town as a great place to get away and enjoy a needed vacation, a dinner out, a day on the river, biking along the trails and so on.  However, we are not at that point right now.
 
I have been in contact with Chief of Police Schatz and Mayor Sofranko of Jim Thorpe, specifically in regards to Short Term Rentals in Jim Thorpe. I'm sure by now, all STR owners have seen the recent news and online discussions regarding owners who have been advertising on the Airbnb and Vrbo to come to the Poconos and escape the COVID-19 hotspots and quarantine here. 
 
Even though STRs are on the current list of approved/open businesses by Governor Wolf (as of 3/31/20) there are numerous requests by elected officials to revise the permitted/open businesses.  On behalf of the Jim Thorpe Mayor and Chief of Police, and as President of the JTTA, I am asking you as a local resident to be a good neighbor.  Please refrain from renting at this time and help the entire community stay safe and get through this pandemic. 
As a STR owner of several properties, I fully understand how financially and emotionally difficult this is.  I and other JTTA officers & members have closed off our calendars through the end of April based on the national social-distancing guidelines.   And the unfortunate reality is that this will probably be extended into, if not through May.  However, the more that we follow the social-distancing guidelines, the faster we will get through this pandemic and back to welcoming guests to Jim Thorpe.  We are all wondering “how will I pay all the bills,” “will we survive,” “when will we be open for business again?”  I understand, personally, how difficult this is for STR owners, along with all the other small businesses in JT that are already closed.  However, I ask you to be a responsible owner; please do not rent your STR at this time.  Be a partner with your neighbor and the community at large.  Let’s do our part to keep Jim Thorpe safe!  It will go a long way in making sure the community is “for” STRs and not “against” when the time comes for the Borough to review the proposed regulations regarding STRs.
 
I welcome comments below that are constructive.  However, any comments that are personal in nature or go against the JTTA’s Facebook policy will not be tolerated.  Those posts will be immediately removed and you will be subject to removal from the group.  A reminder that our Facebook policy is:  “Positive and constructive comments and discussions only! We have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for unprofessionalism. Posts or comments that are negative, hurtful and in general are not presented in a positive and productive manner WILL BE REMOVED. Any person or business who violates this common courtesy will be subject to permanent removal at the discretion of the JTTA Board of Directors.”
 
Again, thank you to all our members who has reached out and been supportive to one another at this difficult time.  Be mindful of how you can buy from our local vendors online or purchase takeout meals from our local restaurants.  We will get through this together.  
 
Please be safe!
 
James P. Dougher President JTTA