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I cringe at noisy mowers, blowers and sanitation trucks.

I seethe at drivers who eschew turn signals or think a “merge” sign invites mayhem.

I recoil when a neighbor revs his boat motor full bore at barely sunup.

We all find annoyances in life here, gripes that can grow to pet peeves.

Perceived outrages eventually create demand for solutions.

What results if we’re not careful is overkill, rule by sledgehammer, penalizing the many while trying to pacify the few. Rules unenforced become rules ignored.

At issue are scattered reports of rowdy renters in Marco Island residential areas. We have a study committee considering serious new ways to address a problem not yet quantified. Some want tougher rules, licensing and registration of rental homes.

Residents who suffer because of oafish tenants and irresponsible landlords are being heard. They need help, case by case. But is the problem so widespread we need new laws? Maybe, but where’s the evidence?

Florida cities vary on dealing with residential rentals, but they should agree on the need to govern without damaging individuals’ right to best, lawful use of their houses. A ban or cumbersome regulation of residential rentals would cramp the economy for sure — a nasty addition to the troubles of a real estate industry already on life support at the moment.

It comes down to quality of life — for neighbors beset by boisterous tenants of rental homes, but also for the unknown number of property owners who could not be part-time islanders if their rental incomes were hobbled by bureaucracy or smothered by another confiscatory bundle of largely unenforceable rules.

I suggest the first priority for the temporary rental committee and higher levels of city government should be to go slow. Maybe wait a year.

Never underestimate the public’s intelligence and ability to make smart decisions. But never overestimate their focus on this issue. Most people didn’t move here to enroll in civics classes or engage in class warfare. Most people don’t seek conflict.

Marco residents have endured a several-year trauma over sewers. We are tired, yearning for unity, comity or at least a rest. Life and limb are not at risk here. Let’s take our time and get the facts.

Anecdotal evidence is compelling but we need statistics. How many rental homes are here? How many serious complaints are filed? How often are rowdy renters or their landlords punished for abuses?

Home rental is a business. What about the others? Do we want to regulate all of them — a guy who quietly sells a few used cars out of his driveway?

A part-time seamstress or a computer-based work-at-homer?

Remember the Naples kook who called the cops on a kids’ lemonade stand? Remember the subdivision that tried to stop a veteran from flying his U.S. Marine Corps flag? Let’s be careful on this.

Talking about the issue is fine but listening is better. Listen to many, not just the aggrieved.

Take the issue to civic groups, church suppers and happy hours before another committee or board gets involved.

Meantime, enforce existing laws on noise, parking and public disorder.

Most important, make sure “solutions” equal our means to enforce them and our resolve to do so.

Don’t let this issue become a solution in search of a problem.

Don Farmer is the Daily News’ Tallahassee correspondent. E-mail him at don@donfarmer.com