Advocates blamed for everything?

Dear Editor: 

This letter is in response to Mr. Demetriades letter last week blaming the Advocates for Mammoth for … EVERYTHING.

The Advocates were formed for the purpose of persuading the Planning Commission and the Town Council to conform to the guidelines for development written in the General Plan that was adopted by this town. Despite our efforts almost every development in town was awarded zoning amendments, density bonuses and/or variances to deviate in one or more ways from the Plan. Perhaps in Mr. D.’s mind unless a developer is getting absolutely everything he wants he is getting nothing.

Also, the Advocates is not a small group of people out to thwart the plans of the community. Our membership is very large and I sincerely believe that many more people in this town disagree with Mr. D. than agree. Based on all of the feedback we’ve received, contributions and letters and questionnaires we’ve distributed, the Community wants moderation and careful planning in how this town is built, not whatever someone wants to do to maximize profits.

As far as blaming the Advocates for high unemployment, closures, firing and lack of development Mr. D. seems oblivious to the financial crisis in the world today. Actually, we weren’t responsible for that. Honest.

I assure we do not have the power to have done all you say, and in fact were often frustrated by how little we had against members of the Planning Commission and Town Council in a Company Town. When things do pick up again I think it would be good to start thinking in terms of compromise.

As for Mr. Wardlaw he probably prefers working in a town that is not in the financial mess some of our current and past town leaders have gotten us into.

Mary Ann Dunigan
Mammoth Lakes

Banner Springs support

Dear Editor:

To Customers and Friends of Banner Springs Ranch:

Thank you very much for the investment you have made in Banner Springs Ranch via the Sierra Bounty Produce Co-operative, the Mammoth Farmers’ Market, Sierra Sundance, Mono Market, Petra’s and other local outlets over the past five years. We are eager to provide our high-quality, organically-grown arugula, spinach, lettuce mix and a wide variety of other seasonal produce to your households far into the future.

To serve all of our customers better, Banner Springs Ranch will offer Mono County residents the opportunity to join our farm-run CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in 2013.

Your low, pre-paid annual membership fee will directly support our farm, and other farms by financing annual spring expenditures on seeds, beneficial insects and repairs, as well as long-term investments in equipment and improvements. Our members will also have the opportunity, if they choose, to learn at our off-grid farm, helping with a wide range of farm tasks from spring-time planting preparation to end of season shut-down. Other on-farm participatory family events, including our annual end of summer Hop Harvest Gathering, will also be available to our members.

Please consider joining our effort to secure the future of your local food supply and independent farming in the Eastern Sierra. In the meantime, you can ‘like’ our Facebook page, email info@bannergreen.com for details or look for our flyers and ads in the local papers in early 2013 detailing our new farm-run CSA.

In addition to our CSA, Banner Springs Ranch’s produce will continue to be available at Sierra Sundance, Mono Market, Petra’s and the Mammoth Farmers’ Market next summer, as well.

Thank you again for all of your support.

Delinda and Jeph Gundzik
Banner Springs Ranch