A Homeowner is a Homeowner is a Homeowner

by Larry Ackerman

From what I hear, the tug-of-war between primary homeowners and second homeowners continues in terms of perceived rights and even status. ('We've been here longer than you') This is unfortunate; indeed, unnecessary.

I've been part of our second homeowners' community since 1950 — the year I was born — when my parents bought a cottage on Mah-Kee-Nac Shores. Fishing on The Bowl was too irresistible to my father to pass up and Tanglewood, too magnetic for my mother to ignore.

Of course, I had no idea what a "homeowner" was at the time, let alone a second homeowner. As I grew up, all homeowners seemed the same. Primary and secondary were incidental labels. The local man who mowed our lawn became my father's friend and shared the occasional Scotch with him when work was done. Our small community had a few full-time residents as well as us part-timers. We all got along pretty well.

Today, I count among our friends a few part-time residents as well as several full-time residents. In my eyes, they are all interesting people, worthy of spending time with. Why? Because they — we — share similar values when it comes to Stockbridge; among them:

We appreciate the town's physical beauty, as the blessing it is.

We honor the celebrated history of Stockbridge, as a unique aspect of our community.

We respect the place Stockbridge holds in the cultural landscape of America, as a shared touchstone.

We care about ensuring a quality education for our children, without which our town will languish.

We serve our community in various ways — volunteering on town committees (my wife), picking up litter on Averic Road (us), ushering at Tanglewood (others).

The differences that may exist between primary and second homeowners (e.g., voting rights) pale by comparison to the similarities that make us one. And, highlighting distinctions between these groups does a disservice to both.

To my way of thinking, a homeowner is a homeowner. Period.

Photo: Jay Rhind