theSheetNews.com

Open Apology

Dear Editor:

On July 11, there was a special meeting held in Suite Z to discuss options for the funding of the commercial air subsidy to Alaska Airlines. I stood up and openly challenged one of Mammoth’s Supervisors, Mr. Byng Hunt, after his comments on the podium to our Town Council and the people of Mammoth.

I want to say that I am sorry to each and everyone in Mammoth and Mono County … for not saying more!!

I am continually amazed by our elected officials in Bridgeport; did Mr. Hunt not learn from other supervisors that have recently been replaced? Does Mr. Hunt not realize that the economic engine [for this county] begins in Mammoth? Does Mr. Hunt not understand that the majority of property tax revenue originates in Mammoth? Does Mr. Hunt think that losing air service will help June Lake, Crowley Lake or Lee Vining? You may be surprised, Mr. Hunt, to learn that there are people in Bishop who use our airport and the air service provided.

I failed to point out these exact issues and others and I am deeply sorry for not holding Mr. Hunt’s feet to the fire. I want to publicly say that I will point my finger at you and any elected official whom I feel is not representing the majority and the good of the people. And I am pointing my finger at you, Supervisor Hunt, to get whatever information you need (it is available) to understand that commercial air service benefits the majority of Mono County and Mammoth. It brings in new business, convenience to local residents, additional bed tax, FAA funds, money spent in our establishments and enplanement dollars.

And don’t say those that benefit should pay; MMSA pays millions per year for this and a far greater percentage than they benefit. I am working with Mr. Urdi to find a way business owners may contribute and receive ticket vouchers for their direct investment even though the Mammoth business community is taxed beyond belief and suffering from a poor winter.

The county has meagerly supported the air service subsidy the last 2 years with a continued increase in traffic at our airport (adjusted for the drought) and now wants to back out.  To me this is just another case of an elected official not realizing who he is elected by and who he should be representing. In 2 years, I will be here to make sure people are reminded of your lack of support to the people of Mammoth who elected you.

As for your comments to the Mammoth Town Council about getting back to basics – have you had your head buried in the sand in the last year? Do you not realize what the Council has gone through, what the staff has given up, the cuts that have been made and the people that have been affected? HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL, please prove me wrong and correct the path you are traveling down. Support the Mammoth/Yosemite Airport and contribute $100,000 from the County.

And as far as “getting back to basics” there is nothing basic about the challenges we all face today.  We all need to work together, get creative, contribute as much as we can and openly communicate with each other.

Tom Cage
Mammoth Lakes 

Thank you, Skip 

Dear Editor:

The Town of Mammoth Lakes lost a true and genuine public servant today. “Skip” Harvey was candid, concerned and cared deeply for our Village in the Trees.

Stress kills, but Skip stayed the course and served our town as long as humanly possible.  We miss you, Skip.

Sharon R. Clark
Mammoth Lakes

Dancing with the Stars, passe. Try Dancing with the Docs!

This summer, five Mammoth Hospital doctors and their “celebrity” partners will be shaking their booties for a chance to be crowned the winning team at the “Dancing with the Docs” gala event, to be held Sept. 22.The fundraiser, a dance competition between physicians, takes the place of Mammoth Hospital’s Festival of Trees annual event. The hospital’s Fund Development Coordinator Bubby Greene pitched the idea to Community Relations Director Lori Ciccarelli after seeing a Dancing with the Stars spin off titled, “Dancing with the Priests.”

Ciccarelli loved the idea and easily got the board of the hospital’s foundation, the Healthcare Trust of Mammoth Lakes, to buy in as well.

“It’s going to be something fun for the town,” said Ciccarelli, who will emcee the Sept. 22 event with Chair of the Healthcare Trust and former hospital CEO, Gary Myers.

Slated to perform:

Kris Wilson, MD, Pediatrician and Tommy Czeschin, Olympic silver medalist and Amazing Race television star, with Leah Dutcher choreographing.

Kim Escudero, MD, Pediatrician and X-Games gold medalist Johnny Teller, with choreographer Pamela Stayden.

Yuri Parisky, MD, Radiologist and Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra Executive Director Kathy Copeland, choreography by Gigi Van der Riet.

Kurt Smith, MD, Anesthesiologist (choreographing) and Jamie Halverson of the Mammoth Lakes Foundation.

Jennie Walker, MD, Emergency Medicine and Town of Mammoth Lakes Recreation Manager Stu Brown with choreography by Allison Page.

 

Many of the teams met for the first time this week to kick off rehearsals. As an additional bonus to the event, the teams will be filmed throughout the three-month process. Beginning July 27, local television station Sierra Wave will turn the footage into a nine-week miniseries leading up to the gala. New episodes will play every Friday evening (time TBA), and will then repeat throughout the week. The gala event will also be taped and play the week after it occurs.

The Sheet touched base with all of the teams this week to get a look at how the competition was stacking up.

Yuri Parisky and Kathy Copeland – Jumpin’ and Jivin’

Kathy Copeland, known for her fun-loving and energetic personality seems like she might be tough to keep up with on the dance floor, but at their first meeting on Wednesday night, Yuri Parisky proved a good match.

“Yuri will do his homework and Kathy will wing it,” said their choreographer Gigi Van der Riet to the camera after spending an hour and a half with her team.

The couple will be performing the Jive.

“The Jive is not as technical but it takes a huge amount of energy,” Van der Riet, a native of South Africa with a background in ballet, contemporary and jazz dance, said.

With zero dance background, Yuri did his best to pick up the moves quickly in the two-hour rehearsa.

“I’m doing this because I believe in the hospital,” Parisky said. “Patients I take care of benefit from the Healthcare Trust. Plus, it’s a great way to get back in shape, lose some weight and prove that talentless people can be taught to dance!”

“Going out and making fools of ourselves is a fun way to give back,” Kathy joked. She says her sole claim to dancing fame was at Whiskey Creek during her drinking days.

“It’s like the Romans feeding someone to the lions,” Yuri added.

Expect high energy and even some lifts to be part of Yuri and Kathy’s routine. The pair’s method of practice will be slightly unique since Kathy will be hiking the John Muir Trail for the entire month of August.

“We’ll be shadow dancing with Gigi when the other isn’t around,” Yuri said. “So when we come together the sparks will fly!”

 

Kris Wilson and Tommy Czeschin – Cha-Cha-Cha-ing

Kris and Tommy were scheduled to meet for the first time this Friday night, June 29, according to Czeschin.

“I have no dance background, whatsoever,” Czeschin admitted. “I am really doing it to support the hospital.” He thought the team would be learning the moves to the Cha-Cha.

Czeschin, fresh off of the reality television show, The Amazing Race, didn’t see Dancing with the Docs as following a similar reality TV track. Perhaps no one had clued him into the miniseries portion, yet.

The team’s choreographer, Leah Dutcher was excited to get the process rolling. “I can say that I am quite anxious to get started,” she wrote via email. “Having been a Ballroom dance instructor for 10 years in Los Angeles, and again for 8 years here in Bishop, I know how much hard work it takes to get people to the ‘performance’ level. I hope my team is ready for a fun, but difficult, journey!

I do hope the event is a huge success!”

 

Kurt Smith and Jamie Halverson – Disco 

Disco actually has some of its roots in various forms of ballroom, and can be very elegant when done well. Mammoth Hospital Anesthesiologist Dr. Kurt Smith and the Mammoth Lakes Foundation’s Jamie Halverson plan to put Studio 54 sheen on a disco routine for their dance.

“I picked out ‘Last Dance’ by Donna Summer, who died recently. Disco was sort of aerobics before there was aerobics in gyms,” Smith noted, emphasizing its natural athleticism, which he thinks is a bit overlooked in the dance world.

Their routine is based on one that was created by Smith for an intra-fraternity competition during his college days. Smith won, always a good reason to dig up the old moves and dig out the old Saturday Night Fever suit and dancing shoes!

Halverson said she’s also done a few turns on the disco dance floor back in the day. “I’m came out of the disco era,” she acknowledged. “I remember bell-bottom jeans, hip huggers, white and red checkered tops, collars that were super big with the sleeves flared out.” Look for their routine to be as much about the costumes as the dancing. “When I think of disco, I think of fashion,” Halverson quipped.

As mentioned, this team will be choreography its own moves.

“The toughest part of putting this together has been finding choreographers,” Ciccarelli said. “I couldn’t talk anyone into taking on two teams.”

 

Jennie Walker and Stu Brown – Crazy like a Foxtrot

If it’s true that you can’t beat the classics, then Mammoth Hospital Emergency Medicine Doctor Jennie Walker and Town of Mammoth Lakes Recreation and Communication Director Stu Brown plan to highlight why the Foxtrot isn’t just formal, it’s also a lot of fun.

I was also a dancer for many years,” said Walker. “I studied mostly ballet and jazz, with some tap and a little ballroom experience. I made a short-lived attempt at a professional career, but realized that was not likely to be successful, so I went to medical school instead! I am really excited to have an opportunity to perform again!”

“My best friend was a ballroom dancer and I danced with my daughter at cotillion, which is the extent of my ballroom dancing experience,” Brown acknowledged. “But I would describe myself as a casual observer of ‘Dancing with the Stars.’” The duo hasn’t yet settled on music, but has started working out the steps.

Choreographing the pair is actress and theatre director Allison McDonell Page, who as it happens has a fair amount of dancing on her impressive resume. “I have little ballroom dance experience, though I hope to live vicariously through my great aunt who taught ballroom dancing for 40 years in Chapel Hill, North Carolina,” she said. “However, I was a dancer most of my life. I studied jazz and modern mostly. I choreographed through high school and college and was the Director of a Dance company at Harvard.

Page said she contemplated a career in musicals as a chorus girl, but wasn’t too sure of her singing voice and decided to change paths and become an actress. “I worked as an actress for 15 years in New York City, Los Angeles and theaters around the country. Though it’s been a while since I took a dance class, I did choreograph a number for last year’s high school production of “The Wizard of Oz” (she did “The Jitterbug” number). I think we will have a blast and will be the team to beat!”

 

Choreographer Pamela Stayden and Dr. Kim Escudero

Kim Escudero and Johnny Teller – Salsa 

Dr. Kim Escudero loves to dance, but has never done so in a formal setting.

Now she’ll get her chance … if her partner John Teller shows up.

Johnny was late for practice on Wednesday because he’s busy competing in the Mammoth Motocross.

Mike Fiebiger, who employs Teller at Alpine Garage, is dubious of Teller’s talents.

“He can’t dance. He makes me look like Fred Astaire. You know white guys can’t dance. All we can do is slow dance.”

Fortunately Escudero, who’s half Puerto Rican, says dancing’s in her blood.

“She’s got great hips,” adds choreographer Pamela Stayden.

“And I’ve been pleasantly surprised [by Johnny],” Stayden added. “He’s been giving input. And they’ve got their song picked out.”

Teller and Escudero are dancing for Rhiannon’s kids, a fund set up for local children to help pay for families’ transportation costs if a child with serious medical issues needs to be transferred to a bigger hospital.

 

Ciccarelli said that there is a possibility of a sixth team if she can find another doctor to commit.

“There were zero takers when we first put the idea out there, but slowly the doctors have come around,” she said.

The competition will take place on Sept. 22 and money raised will go the hospital. Each team’s dance will last between 2-2.5 minutes. There will be two forms of judging at the gala. A panel of judges as well as a People’s Choice Award.

“The event is already bringing in people from all walks of life,” Ciccarelli said. Athletes, the medical community, DSES volunteers and more have already begun to approach her. Placing the doctors outside of their elements is a real draw.

Tickets for the Sept. 22 gala are $100. For sponsorship opportunities or to learn more, contact Greene at 760.924.4128 or Ciccarelli at 760.924.4015.

 

 

 

 

Rick Poedtke responds to last week’s letter submitted by Doug Kriese. 

Poedtke fires back 

Dear Mr. Kriese: 

Had you recollected anything from your attendance to ARFF Annual Certification Training at SBRETC (which in fact you are NOT current in for your last Certification actually expired 12/11 and NOT 12/12 as you inaccurately stated in your letter), you would have remembered the Senior Training Officer/Facilitator state in his class room brief that in many cases in the civilian ARFF community throughout the U.S., local Airport ARFF Department manning protocols dictate that a “Duty ARFF Truck” be established, fully manned, running and strategically located on the field, ready for an immediate initial response to any incident on the active runway/s that could occur.

This protocol is a standard for large airports where a continuous flow of in and outbound Commercial flight traffic exists. This is also the standard response manning protocol throughout the (DOD) U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Crash/Fire Fighting community world wide. It is termed “The Hot Truck” and posted when any flight operations are in affect. This is the Standard Operational Procedure that I have been taught and directed to practice for the entire 24 years of my Naval Career as an Aviation Boatswains Mate Aircraft Handler on both Shore and At-Sea Aviation Naval Commands.

Anyone that has observed how I have operated here at MYA (Mammoth Yosemite Airport), know that I will have R1, the MYA ARFF, running and at the ready when Horizon (Alaska Air) or Sky West calls in on local Unicom frequency 122.8, announces their current position and intent to land. In many cases I will actually “lock and load” and be in and standing by with the Turret, PR Mode & AFFF System activated & preset @ 3% ready and I will position myself/R1 at the throat corner of A3 just at the southwestern A3 exit/entrance point of the ramp.

On the afternoon in question, I had R1 running and ready at its normally parked position at the northwestern point of the Restricted Red Zone of the Ramp adjacent the west side of the Terminal and standing by for Horizon Flight 196 to arrive, as it had called in 22 miles out and inbound. The Twin Cessna in question was number one on final in front of the Horizon Dash 8.

On touch down, I was standing directly next to R1 on its port (left) side and conversing with an awaiting outbound Horizon PAX through the fence adjacent to the running/parked MYA ARFF R1.As you know, Mr. Kriese, the distance from my parked location to the Center Line on Runway 27 and A3 is exactly 825 feet. You are also aware that the Colet K/15S Jaguar (the MYA ARFF) is capable of a top speed of 138 mph(speed limiter is set at 70 for local operations) and will go 0-70 in 9.3 seconds. Do the math. I was on scene, positioned at the aircraft’s 1030 as the wind was coming from the southwest (240 or so degrees) and standing by in seconds.

After a thorough and quick drive around and repositioned myself as the wind had shifted 100 or so degrees to the southeast, I ascertained that there was no evidence of any fuel leaking nor any visible flames. Thus I did not disperse any AFFF and stood by for LVFD to arrive and assume the IC with apparatus as the primary rescue and agent back up units per the MYA EP.

Your “froze and panic” accusation is totally absurd and unfounded. I will only refer you to the current factual at the scene witness accounts and replies that have been posted to your letter here online, http://thesheetnews.com/archives/14116, Pat Foster and Don Arrowood of Hot Creek Aviation (“persons in the FBO”) who assisted and were actually on scene prior to Long Valley Fire arriving. All MYA and Hot Creek personnel responded to this incident as they have been trained to.

As far as the very frustrating radio flalex with Mono One during this incident, we quickly learned after contacting and having Mr. Neilson come out and do a thorough evaluation on both the Unicom VHF and the local AM Radios, that two very inhibiting discrepancies were present in our communications system.

The antennas were located too close together, thus creating intolerable feedback when the AM radio connecting R1 to Mono One, was utilized and the VHF radio was on. Also, the channeling of the AM radio which connects R1 to Mono One Dispatch, was not set to the local Mono County Ops radio repeater located just west of the airport. Instead, it went directly to Bridgeport. In doing so, it drastically limited the proper and clear transmissions from R1 to Mono One Dispatch at any given time.

It appears that the former Maintenance Coordinator (you) was totally unaware of this discrepancy. This critical situation has since been rectified and we now have clear and proper AM comms with all necessary assisting entities per the current MYA EP Protocols.

Now, if you wish to continue this discussion in this public forum, by all means go for it. Unlike you, I will only rebut with clear and concise facts, official recorded evidence and on scene witness statements. Not suppositions, personal conjectures, inaccurate and totally untrue “fabricated” accusations. I highly suggest that you cease and desist, put this entire termination issue behind you, learn from it and move on with your life.

Rick R. Poedtke
ABHC (NAC/NPJ) USN (RET)

PS: Bill Manning and I ARE NOT friends. We are professional (US Navy) acquaintances from 32 years ago and I have been avoiding getting employed at MYA for years. Reason: The constant negative drama surrounding MYA evidenced by your latest, bogus Letter to the Editor [in last week’s Sheet].

Thanks, Blood Drive heroes!

Dear Editor:

On May 15-17, the Mammoth Lakes Hospital Auxiliary in conjunction with the United Blood Services of Reno, Nev., sponsored the semi-annual Mammoth Lakes Community Blood Drive, held at Mammoth Lakes Fire Department Station #1 on Main Street.

I’d like to thank Chief Brent Harper for allowing us to invade the fire station for three days. Thanks to the staff for all the help and support that you always give us.

It takes more than 80 volunteer hours to put on this event. My thanks goes out to all the volunteers from the Mammoth Lakes Hospital Auxiliary.  They not only come out and help with donors but they spend hours baking their very best cookie recipes. Without these volunteers, this event would not be successful.

This community is awesome when it comes to donating. We started out slow, but with the help of our donors and friends through email, Facebook and media, we picked up momentum and the drive ended up being very successful. THANK YOU! You are ALL HEROES!

Darlene Joerger
Blood Drive Coordinator
Mammoth Lakes Hospital Auxiliary

Proposition 29 support … 

Dear Editor:

By now Mono County residents have received two glossy mail pieces from Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds tobacco companies regarding Proposition 29: the California Cancer Research Act that places $1 tax on tobacco products. If you have not received a mailer, you may have seen TV ads featuring a physician and claiming physicians are against Prop 29.

The tobacco industry’s advertising cache is $30 million, while public health groups have raised $4 million to get their message out. Supporters include the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong, the American Stroke Association, University of California and California Hospital Association.

Price is one of the biggest factors in deterring young people from smoking and contributes to smokers’ decision to quit. California, once a leader in reducing tobacco use, is now 33rd in state tobacco taxes at 87 cents. Research demonstrates that smoking alone is responsible for a third of all cancer cases in the United States.

Of the revenue from the new tax, some  66% — about $441 million a year — is designated for all cancer research. A nine-member board with directors of California cancer centers and UC chancellors will be distributing the funds. The act expressly states that its purpose is to fund research “in California.” The measure explicitly caps administration costs at 2 percent.

The last time a tobacco tax was on the ballot was 2006. It was narrowly defeated. During January through March 2011, tobacco interests spent more than $240,000 on lobbying for six tobacco-related bills that would  increase the state’s tobacco tax, restrict tobacco sales near schools, and close exemptions in the state’s smoke free workplace law. An increase in tobacco tax has come before the California legislature 14 times in the past 20 years. During the first six months of the 2011-2012 election cycle, tobacco interests spent more than $3.1 million on campaign contributions and lobbying. This spending is an increase from the $2.2 million that tobacco interests spent during the first six months of the previous election cycle (2009-2010). The tobacco companies are out of state business that distribute their product here in California.

Thank you for taking time to understand the facts.

Nancy Mahannah
for the Mono County Chronic Disease
Prevention Coalition

Hazarding an endorsement

Dear Editor:

In the last 30 years I have been on many political boards including the Mammoth Town Council, Mammoth Community Water District, Dispute Resolution Center, current School District Board member and many volunteer organizations. In all these years I know of no one who has worked as hard as Hap Hazard for his constituents.

I respect and admire both Fred Stump and Hap Hazard; they are good men with good hearts and minds. However, it’s not about Fred or Hap. It’s about who will best serve the interests of Mono County. Who will pay attention to the details, visit the local communities, attend RPAC meetings, go to Sacramento and meet with state officials; find ways to get things done. No one I know does this as well as Hap Hazard.

Hap and I have disagreed on many issues, however, his political abilities and hard work have resulted in truly great achievements that I feel would likely not have been accomplished by anyone else. Digital 395 was politically unraveling in Kern County along with funding troubles at the state level.  It was Hap who visited Senators, Congressmen, PUC, State agency leaders and local politicians (over and over again) to help bring this troubled process together.  Without Mike Ort from Praxis, Brandon Shults, I.T. Director from Inyo County and Hap Hazard, Digital 395 would not have happened. Without Hap, Tri Valley would not have been included and Crowley as well was not part of the initial alignment (Hap would not let go until he got what he wanted, for all of us).

During the last election I watched Hap run a clean campaign without taking cheap shots at other candidates.   He once again is running a simple, clean campaign standing only on his accomplishments. Hap would rather lose the election than rely on false statements and pretend to take stands on things he does not believe in. His time in office has proven this integrity many times by his willingness to take a tough stand when he knows it’s not popular.

Strong leaders will have enemies. The sad and pathetic pot shots taken against Hap in the newspapers are unsubstantiated and say volumes about those making the claims while really only showing we have a strong and effective leader with Hap.

I support Hap Hazard for District 2 Supervisor in Mono County because I believe he is the best choice to represent the interests and future of my home in Mono County where I have lived for the last 37 years.

Greg Newbry
Crowley Lake 

Thanks for cleaning up!

Dear Editor: 

The Town of Mammoth Lakes would like to thank the community for taking pride in their neighborhood on Saturday, May 19 and cleaning up our town.

New this year, the Town in partnership with Mammoth Disposal and Sierra Conservation Project, set-up several Town Clean-Up Day Stations conveniently located throughout town.  Each station accepted trash, recycling material, heavy metal, green waste, furniture and appliances. Unlike previous Town Clean-Up Days, Town staff, volunteers and Mammoth Disposal personnel were able to focus their energies on collecting and transporting trash to-and-from central stations, rather that picking up thousands of orange bags spread throughout town. This new strategy combined with the hard work of the volunteers enabled a far more efficient process for making our Town look beautiful for the summer season.

Town Clean-Up Day is an immense undertaking that would not be possible without the generous support of our many partners, local businesses and non-profit organizations, volunteers, and assistance from the entire community. The Town would sincerely like to thank the following individuals and organizations involved in cleaning up our town:

Mono County Board of Supervisors for waiving tipping fees at the Benton Crossing Landfill.

Mammoth Disposal General Manager Pat Fenton and staff.

Sierra Conservation Project for placing and collecting the recycling carts at each station.

Town Staff for organizing the event and staffing the many stations.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District for allowing the placement of the Town Clean-Up Day Stations on their property.

Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce for promoting this community day to our local businesses.

The Sheet for donating advertising space.

Station Coordinators:

Mammoth Creek Park: Jo Bacon

Mammoth Disposal Transfer Station: Mammoth Disposal & USFS/MLFD.

Fire Station 1: Tony Fryer & John Connolly

Fire Station 2: John Joseph

Canyon Lodge: Stephanie Daniel & Emily Kralovetz

Eagle Lodge: Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra – Lee Ackers, Jack & Kathy Copeland

Mammoth Lakes Community Center: Sandy Hogan 

407 Manzanita: Jessica Morris, Ellen Clark & Patricia Kent

Joaquin & Dorrance: Stuart Brown & Johnny Goetz

The Town would also like to thank Greg Eckert, Robert Schaubmayer & family, Bill Sauser, Steve Searles and Leigh Gaasch for their tireless work cleaning up Sierra Valley Sites.

We’ll see you on May 18 next year for Town Clean-Up Day!

Peters cashes in  

Dear Editor:

My wife Kathy and I were invited to attend the Noon Rotary Club Winter fest fundraiser the night of February 4, 2012. It was a great opportunity to see old friends and meet new people during the early stage of my campaign for election to the Mono County Board of Supervisors 4th District seat. I was surprised when I found an item on the silent auction table called The Sheet Experience. It was an opportunity to “Work with Jack Lunch of The Sheet and Publish Your Own Article (Up to 800 words on any topic subject to legal, ethical and moral sensibilities).”

Now the really good part, my bid won and the donation we made helps the many worthy causes supported by the Noon Rotary. The following article is the result:

I was appointed by the Governor of California to the vacant 4th District seat on the Board of Supervisors in March 2010. I served until the election in November, won by Tim Hansen.

I had agreed with the Governor not to run in the November 2010 election in order to obtain the appointment.

I served my constituents well, and was encouraged to run for a full term in the 2012 election.  I loved the experience of representing the 4th District.

My wife and I and our son John and his family moved to Bridgeport in 1999 after purchasing the historic Bridgeport Inn. Our family also owns a cabin at Virginia Lakes, which has been in my wife’s family since 1943. We raised our four children during summers of fishing and hiking in the Virginia Lakes high country.

Last year’s redistricting, following the 2010 census, redrew the 4th District lines to include about 700 Mammoth residents in the Knolls and Pinecrest areas north of Main Street. Because of my service on the Board of Supervisors and my many years on the Mono County Tourism/Film Commission, I have had the opportunity to become aware of the issues facing the Town and its residents. And, I have been a Mammoth Mountain MVP season pass holder Charter Member since that program began.

I have many years of service on the Bridgeport Regional Planning Advisory Committee, a local community-based organization appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Most of the communities in the unincorporated area of the county also have similar committees. I believe that the Town’s residents living in the 4th District should also have a similar organization that meets monthly to discuss issues and provide advice to the Board of Supervisors regarding local concerns. My goal is to create a positive working relationship between the Town and County.

I am grateful to have endorsements from many Town and County leaders, including Chris & Sarah Carmichael, Ken & Flossie Coulter, Tom Farnetti, Brent & Debby Harper, Sandy Hogan, Greg Newbry, Renn Nolan, Rick Phelps, Lynda Salcido, Dawn Vereuck, and Dave Wilbrecht. These personal relationships will continue to help me serve all the people of the 4th District.

Please log onto my campaign website www.bobpeters.org to see more of my biography, as well as my vision for Mono County.

PLEASE VOTE FOR BOB PETERS ON JUNE 5.

Sincerely,
Bob Peters

Time to unincorporate?

Dear Editor,

Should the Town of Mammoth Lakes unincorporate?

First, we want to pass on a tidbit of information that we learned a few years back on a Town-sponsored peer resort tour. One evening in Whistler, having a cocktail with a former councilman and the first town attorney, he revealed to us that the town would actually be better off if unincorporated! We asked why, of course. His answer was in part what we learned about how Whistler is governed. It is a special assessment district within the province. If the TOML (Town of Mammoth Lakes) were unincorporated, it could be a special assessment area for Tourism & Recreation in the State of California. If the TOML had taken this path, the unincorporated TOML would keep much more of its own property taxes in town.

As it is now, the majority of property tax dollars go to the county and are spent outside of Mammoth Lakes. By state law, the county would be required to put more tax dollars back into the unincorporated Mammoth Lakes area. State spending on the unincorporated area would be another benefit; as well as no more spending on a redundant police force, excessive town staff, or town vehicles. The town could remain the same but without all the extra drama and expenses.

We believe Town Council should form a committee to oversee a non-partisan consultant (NOT TOWN STAFF) to review the issues and options and present possible next steps and solutions. i.e. Bankruptcy and how it could affect the $43 million legal judgment.

Our hope is that the underground rumblings of the local citizenry will become a loud outcry of voices, that the strong feelings and sentiments and opinions will be stated out loud, in public and not in whispers or behind closed doors. The solutions for the future of Mammoth Lakes should come from the citizens of Mammoth Lakes, not just a handful of politicians and staff members.

Ruth and Warren Harrell
Seal Beach

ICARE Fundraiser the cat’s meow

Dear Editor:

The 16th annual ICARE (Inyo County Animal Resources & Education) fundraising dinner on Saturday, April 14, was attended by more than 700 animal lovers. Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Whiskey Creek, sponsored by Union Bank of California and KIBS/KBOV Radio and served by the hardworking 4-H members.

Proceeds from the fundraiser totaled $27,500, which goes a long way to fund our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program for the upcoming year. ICARE funded 868 spay/neuter surgeries in 2011 alone at a cost of $42,000, so we continue to rely on donations to fully fund our spay/neuter program.

The ICARE Board extends a very sincere thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters. For more information on ICARE, call 760.872.3802.

Lisa Schade
ICARE 

Alabama Hills Day – Saturday, April 14

The Alabama Hills Stewardship Group will host the first-ever “Alabama Hills Day” on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lone Pine Museum of Film History and with “in the field” field trips and self-guided tours in the Alabama Hills. This new annual event is intended to celebrate the uniquely scenic landscape and educate the public about the wide variety of groups that use and enjoy the Alabama Hills, including Friends of the Inyo, which will be among the 20 to 30 user groups and information tables at the film museum. Come by and say hello! Admission is free. For more information, call Chris Langley at (760) 937-1189 or FOI Membership & Outreach Manager Catherine Billey at (760) 873-6500.

Grouse Mountain Hike – Saturday, April 14

One of Friends of the Inyo’s seasonal favorite explorations, join us for six hours of moderate hiking up to Grouse Mountain which is uniquely positioned below Mt. Humphreys and Mt. Tom for great views. Add fantastical rock formations, newly arrived migrant birds, and interesting flora and you have all the ingredients for a terrific spring hike! Meet 8 a.m. at the FOI Office, 819 North Barlow Lane, Bishop, or 8:30 a.m. at the Line Street (Hwy 168) and Buttermilk turn off.  Please bring clothing for any weather condition, food and water. Dogs okay. Email leader Todd Vogel at todd@friendsoftheinyo.org for more information.

Conglomerate Mesa Hike – Sunday, April 15

Rising south of the Inyo Mountains near the mining ghost town of Cerro Gordo, Conglomerate Mesa lies just outside the west boundary of Death Valley National Park with terrain including mixed pinon, juniper forest, sage brush and Joshua Trees. Join Friends of the Inyo from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for this moderate hiking exploration! Meet in Lone Pine at the Inter-Agency Visitor Center one mile south of town. Bring clothing for any weather condition, food and water. Dogs okay. For more information, email leader Todd Vogel at todd@friendsoftheinyo.org.

The MHS spring musical opened last Thursday and runs through April 14. Evening shows Thursday through Saturday start at 7 p.m. All tickets are just $5. (Photo courtesy Craig Hansen)

The following letter was sent out this week to Mammoth Mountain employees by CEO Rusty Gregory.

A letter from Rusty

Dear Editor:

The company has completed its most successful Christmas and New Year holiday period in my 34 years on the mountain. Never in our history have we hosted so many guests with so little natural snow and produced such a high quality experience on and off the mountain.

I had the opportunity to talk to scores of guests over the last 2 weeks.  They were universally effusive about how much fun they were having and couldn’t believe that Mammoth had top-to-bottom skiing, the Unbound pipe and parks were going off, June was open, Woolly’s Adventure Summit had snow for the tubers, and that we even had cross country skiing up to Minaret Summit. They were wowed by the fireworks at Night of Lights and on New Year’s Eve, and had a blast at the concerts and DJ events. The Village rocked and they loved that we opened a day care and brought Sushi Rei back.

Many of our guests came to Mammoth from Northern California for the first time because the Tahoe resorts’ lower elevation and limited snowmaking capabilities only allowed the operation of a small fraction of the terrain and services Mammoth provided. A significant number chose Mammoth over their usual winter vacation spots in Colorado and Utah. You all worked very hard and performed wonderfully. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of our guests and a grateful community, thank you very much.

But now, the crowds are returning home, the temperatures are warming and the weather is forecast to provide more sun than snow in the days to come. I know that all of you are wondering how the company intends to deal with the less than optimistic outlook going forward.

Here is what I know:

So far, this winter is the driest on record since the 1800s. I’ve talked to the heads of major resorts in California, Utah and Colorado. Each of them are cutting back on lifts, terrain and staffing to save money. Many think that the winter of 2011-12 will never really get started and the weeks and months to come will just bring more of the same.

Here is what I believe:

We operate the best mountain in the country and we run it better than other resorts run theirs. Skiers want to ski and boarders want to ride. This yearning and the demand it produces doesn’t go away just because Mother Nature isn’t cooperative. Mammoth is the skier and rider’s mountain.  When it snows, they will come. In my 34 years on the mountain, I’ve seen several severe drought years with little or no snow in October, November or December. It snowed by mid-January in each of those years.

Here is what we are going to do:

We are going to do the opposite of what other resorts are doing. We are not going to cut services to save money.  We are going to keep everything open – Eagle, Canyon, the Village, all the current lifts and all the terrain possible. If temperatures allow snowmaking, we will add more runs and lifts as soon as we can, even if it’s during the middle of the week when crowds are light. We are going to keep our seasonal and year-round employees. If hours of work get too thin for some, we will feed each of them every night to make it possible for them to stay in town. We will continue to operate all our shops and restaurants everyday on the regular winter schedule. Our rental shops will be renting all categories of skis and boards including demos, everyday.

We are going to do just what we did over the holiday, giving our guests way more than they expect, and way more than our competition. We will do it the Mammoth Way with big smiles, a positive vibe and the informal, authentically sincere service we are famous for.  Our guests will love us for it and they will come back.

I don’t want anyone to underestimate the company’s commitment to the quality of our guest’s experience or misunderstand their individual role in delivering it.

I wish each of you, your family and friends a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Rusty Gregory, CEO
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

For the Nordic record

Dear Editor,

An article published in the Dec. 17 issue shed some bright, positive light on the steady evolution of the Nordic scene in our community.

Competitive Nordic programs developed and provided by Eastern Sierra Nordic Ski Association have garnered the attention of Mammoth Mountain’s Race Department and are benefiting greatly as a result of their involvement and support. The Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation is also providing scholarships to offset team fees, travel costs, and education expenses based on need and performance. This type of significant support is crucial to the present and future success of local programs geared towards raising the caliber of homegrown, competitive Nordic talent.

The article also inadvertently compared the work of Mammoth Nordic with MLTPA. Given the recent scrutiny initiated by Sandy Hogan regarding the Town’s administration of Measure R and MLTPA, I  believe it is important to note how distinctly different the missions and objectives of our respective non-profits are:

Mammoth Nordic supports, develops and promotes Nordic Recreation.  We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization providing a high quality, groomed Nordic Trail System free to our locals and visitors alike. Our Club is funded by contributions from our members, local business owners, second homeowners and visitors who value the experience we provide.

MLTPA is a well-compensated, taxpayer-funded consultant to the Town that advocates for trails and public access, fosters stewardship, and convenes and facilitates community participation. MLTPA is currently seeking to secure their operational financial stability over the next five years with a guaranteed $1.5 million dollar commitment from taxpayer-funded Measure R. Suffice to say, Mammoth Nordic supports Ms. Hogan and others who believe the relationship between the Town, MLTPA and the administration of Measure R is in need of an open and transparent review.

Brian Knox
Mammoth Nordic

The University of California White Mountain Research Station invites the public to a special lecture on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Joseph Kurtak, author of the book, Mine in the Sky, will present a talk with the same title. Kurtak will talk about the history of the Pine Creek tungsten mine which is located 14 miles northwest of Bishop in Pine Creek Canyon. The mine supplied much of the defense needs of the United States for the mineral tungsten during World War II and was a major contributor to the Bishop economy for nearly 54 years before closing in 1990. All lectures are FREE to the public. White Mountain Research Station is located at 3000 East Line Street in Bishop. For more information, call 760.873.4344.