The Sea Ranch Reader Editors are proud to introduce the first part in our 3 part series on next week’s 2023 The Sea Ranch Association Board of Directors election. In this first installment, we had the pleasure of interviewing The Sea Ranch Hosting Coalition’s senior spokesperson who bore a striking resemblance to Patsy Stone.

Here’s what she had to say about the latest super-PAC to hit the Mendonoma political scene.

(TSRR Editor #5) Tell us about your coalition and how it came to be?

(TSRHC spokesperson) Our goal is to create more opportunities for new visitors to share this magical place with us and to create a pipeline of future home buyers.

Our polling shows that only 60% of The Sea Ranch Association members are tree-hugging Marxists. We’re tired of their incessant analysis, blabbering and debate. It’s not fair that this vocal minority has so much control over how this place is run. Our coalition will get stuff done.

Although we don’t see it in the data, our belief is that the majority of The Sea Ranch community would prefer to live in a resort community. We must mobilize to protect our economic interests and all of us from the anti-democratic tendencies of that vocal 60%.

What’s your vision for short-term rentals at The Sea Ranch?

Most of the coalition members are only netting about $400 – $600 per night at their rental properties. The coalition’s leadership wants to see that number double by 2025.

How do short-term vacation rentals benefit The Sea Ranch community?

Most of us would never have known about The Sea Ranch if it wasn’t for our vast short-term rental inventory. Our informal survey of people who we drink with at The Sea Ranch Lodge suggests that over 95% of home owners rented a vacation home here before purchasing their own properties at The Sea Ranch. In that sense, we are the official welcome committee to potential home buyers here…

But I never rented a home at The Sea Ranch before purchasing my home. I actually learned about The Sea Ranch by reading about it. Don’t you think that there are means, besides vacation rentals, that we can use educate the broader public about The Sea Ranch, its history, and its values?

I think your assumption that most people read is elitist.

Before you rudely cut me off, I was going to also mention that we strongly advocate for short-term rental home owner rights. Most of our coalition might not be able to afford our second homes if we didn’t rent them out to visitors. So we are increasing the economic diversity of The Sea Ranch through our efforts.

Plus we also increase housing values at the Sea Ranch by increasing housing demand.

How does driving up home prices make the Sea Ranch more economically diverse? Those two ideas seem at odds with each other.

Oh, not in the slightest. Our position is to support all sides of the important debates in our community. That’s only way we can bring everyone together under our umbrella campaign to make the Sea Ranch more attractive to visitors. “Diversity?”, you might ask. We’re on your side. Protecting your financial investment? On your side. Fire protection? Also very much on your side. Preserving the ecology of the Sea Ranch? We’re totally into that. Trust us. Property owner’s rights? On your side. Improving the number of dining options you have in Gualala because of the tourists we host? 100% on your side. I mean, I could go on ad infinitum, but I recognize your time is valuable. As is mine.

Does that seem dishonest to you? To be so amorphous on most issues?

Why do you have to be so negative all the time? Can’t we just respect each other?

The TSRHC has thrown its support behind two board candidates that your website describes as “the only two viable candidates.“ What makes them uniquely viable?

They know their role and are committed to squelching dissent on the board of directors, as well as protecting the economic interests of short-term vacation rental owners and the Lodge property owners.

It’s more important that everyone on the board gets along than make good decisions. This is the only way we can reunite the community and return The Sea Ranch to its former glory.

What are your next steps if your preferred candidates don’t win the upcoming election?

We will continue our grassroots efforts to transform The Sea Ranch into to a modern coastal vacation community. Everything is currently on the table, from doubling the number of un-matching plastic chairs on our patios to purchasing Sea Ranch day passes for the entire town of Gualala. When those barbarians overtake our trails and facilities, it will be the largest and most important act of political defiance in The Sea Ranch’s history. We support the community, no matter the cost.

That sounds very radical. I wish you and the coalition the best of luck in the upcoming elections.

Thank you. The numbers are looking good so far. Hopefully we won’t need luck.