Residents demand action against short term rentals in Prairie Village

During a recent government meeting, resident Mike Sherry raised concerns about the prioritization of local residents' safety and well-being over rental profits and transient visitors. He emphasized that permanent residents should take precedence, particularly in discussions surrounding a proposed transit tax. Sherry expressed skepticism about the allocation of tax revenues, recalling a previous instance where the council voted to donate $94,000 from alcohol and opiate taxes to a nonprofit organization associated with the mayor, rather than using the funds to benefit Prairie Village residents.

Sherry urged the council to reconsider their approach to tax revenues, advocating for the use of funds to directly support the community. He called for a ban on short-term rentals, arguing that they disrupt the community's integrity and do not serve the interests of long-term residents.

In a lighter moment, Sherry introduced his son, Gabe, who is a freshman at Shawnee Mission East. Together, they advocated for improvements to the city hall basketball court, presenting a list of proposed enhancements ranked by ease and cost. This family involvement highlighted a community-oriented approach to local governance, emphasizing the importance of resident engagement in municipal matters.