Vennos shares the credit

Dear Editor, 

Thank you very much for the article in the Sheet (6/23) regarding the film production Oblivion (see Geisel story this week page 14). It is exciting to have a production of this magnitude shooting here in Mono County and we warmly welcome cast and crew.

I want to clarify that the credit for getting Universal Studios to reconsider our area for this production must be distributed more widely. Ralph Lockhart and Connie Black, in particular, were instrumental in bringing a perfect location to my attention and they have subsequently done all the heavy lifting  to ensure that the extensive requirements for the production are arranged.  In addition, Jon Regelbrugge and the USFS staff were very helpful in processing permits, Cleland Hoff assisted the location scouts in the early stages, and the hotels accommodating the cast and crew (Westin, Double Eagle) have gone over and above to make sure their guests are comfortable and have the space and tools necessary to coordinate this major production.

A Film Commission alone cannot create a “film friendly” destination – it takes every one of us who lives and works here, including our land use agencies, local businesses and front-line employees, community members, county/town staff and local media to maintain and solidify that reputation.  Thank you to everyone for helping ensure that the cast and crew of Oblivion – and of course ALL film and commercial productions — have an exceptional experience here in Mono County.  Together we can work to increase filming opportunities for our region and benefit from the positive economic impact from this industry.

Alicia Vennos
Mono County Econ. Development Manager and Film Commissioner

Subsidizing A Standoff 

Dear Editor: 

Mammoth Mountain apparently does not know that the FAA thinks that airline subsidies are like paying for sex. If there were actually demand for air service, subsidies would not be needed. The FAA does not want to put money into an airport where the subsidies, and therefore air service, will vanish overnight, like skiing at June.

This means that the FAA will not pay to expand the airport for larger aircraft that the Mountain wants so it can pretend to be a “destination resort” -  whatever that is.

If the Town (never mind the clueless ski area) wants air service, it will find an airline willing to provide unsubsidized air service using smaller turboprops that fit the airports present dimensions, like the turboprops United flies into Inyokern. The existence of this service will prove demand exists. No airport expansion is required for these aircraft, so the Mountain can chase its tail for as long as it wants.

Owen Maloy
Mammoth Lakes 

We’re screwed

Dear Editor,

The Town of Mammoth Lakes just screwed itself. The same council and staff that have lost multiple lawsuits just gave opposing lawyers and a judge more cannon fodder.

By using Measure U monies voted for and assigned for specific projects for another purpose, a judge might just say ‘You have money. Just borrow it from the other measures to pay the judgment against you.

Again, council and staff have been duped by their own arrogance and kowtowed to the mountain.

Warren Harrell
Second Homeowner