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On Monday evening, the entire cast of candidates running for seats on the Mono County Board of Supervisors gathered in Suite Z in Mammoth for a Candidates Forum hosted by the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber President Brent Truax moderated the event and the public was encouraged to submit questions for the candidates.

Several hot button items, such as air service subsidy and the Bodie Hills WSA were raised. Questions also revolved around Mammoth’s current financial challenges (i.e. the MLLA settlement).

Candidates Fesko, Peters and Stump agreed that Mammoth is the economic engine of the County, and the Board should help the Town.

“A healthy Mammoth is a healthy County,” Fesko said.

Hazard and Bauer did not disagree but claimed that the Town needed to take the first steps toward solving its problems. The two current supervisors also pointed to consolidation of services as a top solution for the financial issues.

A fresh question asked on Monday evening was whether or not the candidates, if elected, would be willing to sit down and discuss the current property tax distribution agreement with the Town.

According to County Finance Director Brian Muir, the Town proper receives 4-5% of property taxes collected, but he added, if you look at the Town as a whole and what entities such as the school district, the water district and the fire district are receiving, the Town actually receives 42-43%.

Candidate responses:

Tim Alpers: I’d be hard pressed to change it, but I wouldn’t close my mind to a discussion. We should look at combination of services first.

Jan Huggans: I’d be willing to discuss it. It may be necessary to sit down [and have the discussion] depending on what happens.

Tim Fesko: The short answer is yes. We have to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.

Bob Peters: You can’t just say yes. We can’t talk about the property tax split on its own. We have to look at the County services provided to the Town as well.

Fred Stump: For a mutual benefit, yes I would have the discussion.

Hap Hazard: Reality check – I would sit down for the discussion but there is no obligation on the County’s part to give any property tax back to the Town. That was decided with the Town’s incorporation. The Town has the flexibility to do other things like raise sales tax.

Vikki Bauer: I’d be willing to talk about it, but we’re asking the wrong question. We need to figure out how to grow the entire pie because it’s shrinking for both of us [Town and County].

See more about the candidates in upcoming issues of The Sheet and don’t forget to vote on June 5.

(Photo: Kirkner)

Every May 15, in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day, law enforcement agencies nationwide join hands to honor those brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their life in the line of duty. This year, the Mono County Sheriff’s Department reached out its hand and hosted the first memorial ceremony in Mono County on the lawn in front of the Bridgeport courthouse, to honor the fallen law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the Eastern Sierra.

On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 53 hours, Sheriff Richard C. Scholl stated on Tuesday. Since the first known in line of duty death in 1791, more than 19,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Former President George Bush said, “It takes a special kind of person to serve in law enforcement. Most people run from danger. Law enforcement officers run towards it.”

“We are here today to honor those brave men and women who went to work one day and never returned home,” said Sheriff Scholl. “Unlike most other careers, the brave men and women who embark upon a life in law enforcement know fully that they might one day be called upon to lay down their lives in the call of duty.”

Deputies and police officers representing Mono County Sheriff’s Department; Inyo County Sheriff’s Department; Mammoth Lakes Police Department; Bishop Police Department; California Highway Patrol; California Department of Fish and Game; Mountain Warfare Training Center Police Department; and Mono County Paramedics stood together to honor all the lives lost in the Eastern Sierra. A moment of silence was given to those fallen Eastern Sierra officers: Sheriff N.F. Scott (1862, MCSO); Sheriff Thomas Passmore (1878, ICSO); Sheriff William Moore (1879, ICSO); Deputy William Edwards (1907, MCSO); Constable Walter Reed (1912, ICSO); Sheriff James Dolan (1915; MCSO); Deputy Lemoyne Hazard (1925, ICSO); Inspector James Randolph Jr. (1979, ICSO); Police Officer Richard Perkins (2001, Bishop PD); and Officer Paul Pino (2003, CHP).

As each of these officers’ names were read aloud, a bell was rung in their memory.

“As we leave here today, have in your thoughts the men and women who go to work each day as the protectors of society never knowing if that day may be their last,” stated Sheriff Scholl as the ceremony concluded with the laying of a wreath on the courthouse lawn to honor those law enforcement officers of the Eastern Sierra who have made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their life in the line of duty. -MCSD/LK

Pictured from left to right: Head Coach Scott Luke, Rolando Guzman, Dallas Polis, Ryan Geller and Assistant Coach Dan Polis.

The annual MHS baseball alumni game was held on Saturday, May 12 marking the end of the 2012 season and final high school game for three MHS seniors; Ryan Geller, Rolando Guzman and Dallas Polis.

The annual fundraising golf tournament is being held at Sierra Star Golf Course on Sunday, May 20. Come register a team between 7:30 – 9 a.m. to contribute.

The Forest Service has several comment periods and public meetings currently in the works. Read on to see how you can get involved.

Public meetings on Travel Management implementation

The Forest Service will be hosting two public meetings in the end of May to update the public on the implementation of the 2009 Motorized Travel Management decision for the Inyo National Forest. The meetings will be held on:

Tuesday May 29 – Mammoth Lakes, Forest Service Auditorium, 6:30-8 p.m.

Thursday May 31 – Bishop, Inyo National Forest Supervisor’s Office Conference Rm., 351 Pacu Lane (behind the DMV), 6:30-8 p.m.

The process of planning for the Motorized Travel Management decision began about eight years ago in response to tremendous growth in off-highway vehicle recreation on public lands across the country.  The goal of motorized travel management is to develop and maintain a sustainable system of routes that provide an array of motorized recreation opportunities and access to recreation destinations, as well as provide for protection for natural and cultural resources in the area.

Over the last two years the Forest Service has been physically implementing a variety of actions directed by the 2009 decision. Implementation includes signing system roads and trails, general maintenance and repairs, as well as the blocking, signing and/or disguising of unauthorized routes that were not added to the system. These efforts should reduce confusion and improve the experience for travelers on the Forest’s roads and trails. Additionally, many routes added to the motorized system require some kind of mitigation, such as stabilization, drainage work, and seasonal gates or reroutes intended to reduce the effects of motorized use on natural or cultural resources.

At the public meetings Forest Service staff will describe and answer questions about the last two years of implementation, as well as the work that is planned for this upcoming summer season. If you have a need for any special accommodations to be able to attend either of these meetings, or for more information, please contact Public Affairs Officer Nancy Upham at 760.873.2427.

Comments sought on MMSA winter project proposals

The Mammoth Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) on proposed projects at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA), which would be carried out this fall.  The proposed projects would enhance developed winter recreation at MMSA and at Woolly’s Adventure Summit (WAS), the winter snow play area adjacent to the ski area. The proposed actions include the following winter recreation enhancement projects: improvements to the WAS area including expansion of the tubing lanes and parking area; removal and relocation of two old shacks, removal of abandoned footings, and ski run grading, all in an area adjacent to the top of  Face Lift Express (Chair 3) and on the Face of Three ski run; grading within the Coyote ski run; and extension of a snowmaking line to enable snowmaking at the South Park half pipe.

Comments sought on Mammoth Mountain bike park trail proposal

The Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Ranger District is soliciting comments on a Mammoth Mountain Bike Park Trail Construction Project proposal.  Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA), a permittee on the Inyo National Forest, has proposed to construct 2.5 miles of mountain bike trails in the vicinity of, and in conjunction with the operation of  the Discovery Chair (Chair 11). All proposed trail construction is within the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area permit boundaries.

The purpose of this proposed project is to provide new terrain, recreation opportunities, better connectivity, and better separation between differently skilled riders within Mammoth Mountain Bike Park. The proposed projects are needed to provide two new progressive, beginner-level mountain bike trail experiences and a connector from the top of the Discovery Chair to a pre-existing, more difficult trail.

The Forest Service has made a preliminary assessment that this proposal falls within a category of actions listed in the Forest Service NEPA Handbook that are excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and that there are no extraordinary circumstances that would preclude use of the category regarding Construction and Reconstruction of Trails.

Both the bike trail project and the winter projects are subject to the notice and comment provisions of 36CFR 215.3. The public comment period ends 30 days following the date of publication of the legal notices, which are expected to be May 17. Those wishing to comment on either proposal should not rely upon dates or timeframes provided by any other source. Only those who provide comment or otherwise express interest in the proposed action during the comment period will be eligible to appeal the decision.

Written comments for either project must be submitted to Allison Jackson, Winter Sports Specialist, Inyo National Forest, P.O. Box 148, Mammoth Lakes, CA  93546. Electronic comments may be sent to ajackson@fs.fed.us in the following acceptable formats: plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), Adobe (.pdf), or Word (.doc). Written comments may also be submitted by fax (760.924.5537) or by hand-delivery to the Mammoth Ranger Station during normal business hours, excluding holidays.

Information about the proposed project and maps will be posted on the Inyo National Forest website on May 17. Additional information may also be obtained from the Project Leader, Allison Jackson, at 760.924.5510. -Press Releases

The Mammoth Community Blood Drive will be held May 15-17 at Fire Station 1 on Main Street.

Donate from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, or from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

To schedule an appointment visit www.bloodhero.com and use the Sponsor Code “Snow,” or call 760.258.5759.

All donors are entered to win one of two $500 Visa gift cards.

The blood drive is sponsored by the Mammoth Lakes Hospital Auxiliary.

(Photo: Jim Gilbreath)

State Farm Insurance awarded two organizations Good Neighbor Citizenship grants on May 12.

Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team as well as the Wheeler Crest Fire Department each received checks for $5,000.

The two safety organizations planned to use the funds to upgrade equipment and continue to provide training.

(Photo courtesy Mel Seator and Andreas Braun)

The sixth annual Pamper Pedal took place on Saturday, May 12, and as ride organizer Jeff Byberg wrote on Monday, “The planets were in alignment, the weather was spectacular, and good times were had by all. Thanks to everyone who participated and made the sixth annual Pamper a huge success (110 ladies, and countless man-slaves!).”

One of the highlights of this year’s ride was Anastasia Seator-Braun. At 10-years old she was the youngest rider to take on the event. According to proud parents Mel Seator and Andreas Braun, Anastasia (born in New Zealand and being raised in Mammoth) plans to continue to ride with the Eastside Velo Club throughout the summer.

“Yes, Andreas is the mad man that rides his bike to work every day, up the Mountain – so I guess it’s in the genes,” they wrote in an email.

On May 11, a 15-year-old Mammoth Lakes High School student was arrested following an investigation into alleged hacking of the school’s computer system for the purpose of changing student grades. Officer Andy Lehr, the School Resource Officer, became aware of the crime approximately one week ago and after interviewing several students, identified the subject and determined that he was changing the grades for other students for money.

The student, whose name will not be released due to his age, was arrested for 502 of the Penal Code (Unauthorized Access to Computers, Computer Systems, and Computer Data) and 460 PC (Second Degree Burglary) and released to his parents. He was cited back to Juvenile Court. -Press Release

For more information see Lunch’s report from last Friday’s paper.

Students of the Mammoth Lakes Academy enjoy outdoor adventures as part of their curriculum. Armstrong is in green. (Photo courtesy Armstrong)

As Mammoth Lakes Academy Director Trip Armstrong says, “We’re not trying to compete with Mammoth High School. We’re not trying to be a threat. We just want people to know that there’s an option [for high school].”

Now in its 3rd year, Mammoth Lakes Academy is hosting an open house for prospective students this coming Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at its “campus” inside the Inyo-Mono Title Building.

MLA offers a CAVA (California Virtual Academy) online curriculum for 15 students in 9th through 12th grades. The online curriculum is augmented by the presence of Armstrong, who teaches six hours a day on a wide variety of subjects, including geometry, algebra 2, pre-calculus, A.P. calculus, biology, chemistry, A.P. physics and spanish.

The only subject he apparently doesn’t teach is driver’s education.

Registration with the state for the online curriculum is free, and there are some students within the Town of Mammoth Lakes who are completing high school online independent of Mammoth Lakes Academy.

MLA tuition, which obviously includes Armstrong’s services, is $5,000 per year.

In addition, MLA provides extracurricular programs in the three ‘r’s.’

Armstrong received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College, and has a Master’s and PhD in Ecology from UC Davis. During MLA’s three years of existence, enrollment has ranged from between 12 to 17 students.

Ideally, Armstrong believes he could accommodate 25 students and would like to add a few teachers to the mix. As he readily admits, he is stronger in the math/science disciplines.

Are parents happy with MLA? You bet. Julie Duff’s daughter Noah had aspirations of going to college on a skiing scholarship. While injuries tabled that plan, Duff credits Armstrong with helping her daughter land a full-ride academic scholarship to the University of Hawaii.

Tom Cage is also a happy parent. “Trip knows how to motivate and connect with the kids,” he said.

Attorney Bellomo pulls pitch for putting client on administrative leave

During its regular meeting this past Tuesday, Mono County’s Board of Supervisors was to have taken up an agenda item, sponsored by Supervisor Tim Hansen, on the Reinstatement of Richard Luman. In particular, the item involved whether Luman could be placed on paid administrative leave, restoring his salary and benefits, pending a decision by the Personnel Appeals Board on the termination of his employment on December 13, 2011.

Luman’s Personnel Appeals hearing is one of three against the County regarding the disciplinary action that followed what the county deemed a mutual fight in a County workplace on Oct. 3, 2011. Apparently Luman’s attorney, Katie Maloney Bellomo, decided that it wasn’t wise to spread their legal resources too thin, and pulled the item.

Luman served as a Mechanic for Mono County for more than 15 years. On the morning of Oct. 3, he joined his co-worker Jim Kerby in their supervisor’s office. Kerby had asked Luman to join him as a witness to what he was going to report to Fleet Services Supervisor Jerry Vande Brake.

During the office meeting, a scuffle ensued between Road Operations Supervisor Brett McCurry and Luman. Afterward, Kerby was suspended, and McCurry and Luman were both terminated.

The hearings have been plagued by key ruling reversals, including what evidence and testimony would and would not be allowed, as well as heated exchanges between witnesses, attorneys, those involved in the altercation (Luman, McCurry, Kerby and Vande Brake), and even the tribunal hearing the appeals, including Hansen, Ken Goode and Ralph Obenberger, as well as various conflict of interest implications.

According to a statement read into the record by Board Chair Vikki Magee Bauer, Bellomo cited talks between International Union of Operating Engineers Local 39 representative Jerry Frederick and County Counsel Marshall Rudolph. Even if the Board wanted to hear the agenda item and take some form of action, Rudolph advised, the union thinks Bellomo’s request on behalf of her client qualifies for what’s called a “meet and confer process,” which would legally have had to be followed. It sounds rather simple and quaint, but as legally defined, “meet and confer” is fairly elaborate.

Essentially it’s a variation on collective bargaining, required by the courts before a judge will hear certain types of motions and/or petitions. Lawyers (and sometimes their clients) must “meet and confer” to try to resolve the matter or at least determine the points of conflict. Its benefits include reducing the time spent on arguments, and making lawyers and clients face the realities of their positions.

On the other hand, it also can prove to be a non-starter for the parties and their attorneys, especially when emotions involved run very high.

Rudolph said that the time and delay involved could actually end up longer than the entire appeal process. That drawback was one of the main reasons Bellomo deemed the item too cumbersome, and subsequently withdrew it from the agenda.

Luman’s hearing is set to continue on May 16.

Board briefs …

The Board unanimously voted to move its regular meeting next week, which would normally have been held in Mammoth, back to Bridgeport to be part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the death of Mono County’s first Sheriff, N.F. Scott, along with all those law enforcement personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The Board will participate in a ceremony starting at 11 a.m. in front of the Bridgeport Courthouse, followed by a barbecue, as part of the nationally National Law Enforcement Memorial Day, scheduled on May 15 this year.

The Town also adopted the County’s debt policy, but both Chair Vikki Magee Bauer and Finance Director Brian Muir emphasized that in now way does adopting the policy means the County has any intention of incurring or taking on any debt in the foreseeable future. In fact Muir said that based on his budget projections, it would be, under worst case circumstances, at least a couple of years or more before the County, which currently has no bonded debt, would have to even consider the possibility. Bauer added that extensive public and Board action would be involved in any sort of debt deliberations, assuming things even got to that point.