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Although I do not live in Bangor, I am writing to express my strong disappointment with the Bangor legislators who not only supported but sponsored LD 1806, “An Act to Create a Residential Rental Unit Registry,” including Reps. Ambureen Rana and Amy J. Roeder.
LD 1806 goes far beyond the creation of a simple registry. It introduces the potential for fines and penalties for noncompliance and expands government authority into private property decisions that have historically been handled at the local level. These provisions erode property owner rights while offering no meaningful or realistic solution to Maine’s housing shortage.
For years, I believe Bangor’s representation has drifted away from common-sense, practical leadership and toward an ideology with what I see as a well-documented record of failure. This bill exemplifies that shift. It increases bureaucracy, paperwork, and enforcement mechanisms, yet produces not a single new housing unit. Bureaucracy doesn’t build homes — people do.
If lawmakers are serious about improving housing availability, they should focus on policies that encourage construction, rehabilitation, and responsible ownership, rather than measures that penalize participation and discourage investment.
Bangor was once known for pragmatic problem solving grounded in reality. I think it is time for its leadership to return to those roots and pursue solutions that strengthen — not undermine — housing stability for Bangor and the surrounding communities.
David Giles
Corinth