theSheetNews.com

What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand? 

The following letter was cc’d to The Sheet. The letter was formally addressed to District 4 Supervisor candidate Bob Peters.

Dear Bob:

I received in the mail your flyer, and since that flyer has come out I have had several inquiries regarding who I am supporting for supervisor.

I have been at two Candidates nights, where you have mentioned my name as someone you have worked with.  We both know the reason you ‘drop’ names is to make it look like I support you.

Now you have used my name again in your advertising, and without my permission. I have been quiet up to now, but the more I realize to what means you use my name, I must ask you to stop. Also, I would appreciate a retraction of some sort.

You asked me ‘point blank’ if you could put a sign up in front of my office, and I told you no. At that time I told you I was supporting Tim Fesko for supervisor. I am frustrated at what lengths people will go to imply support.

Rose Murray
Walker River Real Estate  

Fishing Opener kudos

Dear Editor:

The Long Valley Fire Department Association would like to thank the  following sponsors who donated prizes and food, and helped make opening day of fishing fun and exciting: Convict Lake Resort for the grand prize of the raffle, Breakfast Club, Catwalk Salon, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Dominic’s Family Hair, Gingerbread Knits, Giovanni’s, Good Life Café, In Touch Massage, Lakanuki, Looney Bean, Mammoth Lakes Chevron, Mammoth Chiropractic, Mammoth Pet Shop, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Elsworth Marine, Manor Market, Napa, Salsa’s Restaurant, Stellar Brew, Tail Wagger’s, Toomey’s Restaurant, Town of Mammoth Lakes, Trout Fitter, Vons, Whitmore Pool, Restaurant Skadi, Long Valley Dog Retreat, Blazing Shears, Crowley Lake General Store, Body and Soul Massage, Jalapenos, P3, and Equine Connections.

Dallas Polis
for the Long Valley Fire Department

Channeling John McEnroe

Dear Town Council:

Are you serious? We went through this once before. It was already determined that our little town does not need two Town Managers. We are very concerned and would like for you to explain to us and all of your constituents why you would approve an Asst. Town Manager at a cost of over $200,000 per year. Especially when you’re trying to close  a budget gap of nearly $3 million.

This is not personal, it’s business. Now we get into budget reductions proposed by staff. Why would you have a white paper prepared by staff for reduction in expenses? Do you really think that they would recommend eliminating their jobs or those of their co-workers? Reducing the expense of commission meetings and administration is ridiculously small relative to overall staff expense.

While their reports and analysis state that the town is running on bare bones, we beg to differ. There are cities/towns that are much larger that operate with smaller staff. The police department for example costs us nearly $5 million. Dana Point (population 36,000) contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. for law enforcement in the amount of $10 million. Two times our budget for over five times the population. Cut our police budget down to $2.5 million and there’s your gap.

The Community Development Department can be greatly reduced or even eliminated in this downturn with no activity in development. When staff is needed, they can be contracted as many other cities do. The town does not need a full-time CEQA expert on staff. This is an example of a service that can be contracted as needed.

These are not frivolous thoughts or careless suggestions. We love the community and are passionate about Mammoth Lakes. We want to see it prosper into the future. This will take BOLD steps and innovative ideas. We cannot afford to keep doing things they way we have always done them.

Take the BOLD steps, make the big cuts, move forward. It is about ALL our tax dollars. We don’t want to see people lose their jobs, but people already have and there will be more. We understand that it will be our neighbors, our friends, or both. This is very unfortunate that we are here at this time, but we are here. Council needs to do the fiscally right thing.

The Harrells
Mammoth Lakes homeowners 

Booth retires, endorses Kendall

The following letter was addressed to the Mono County Board of Supervisors. 

To the Honorable Byng Hunt, Duane “Hap” Hazard, Vikki Bauer, Larry Johnston and Tim Hansen:

I will retire on Friday, June 29, 2012. On that date I will have served the good folks of Mono County as a Deputy District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney and District Attorney for 27 years. This is my 39th year in the criminal courts. It is my desire to devote more time to my young son, Alex, and be actively involved in both my place of worship and Rotary International. It has truly been both a pleasure and an honor to represent the County of Mono as the Public Prosecutor.

I believe it is one of the most meaningful and rewarding jobs a lawyer could have. I have always tried to be objective, impartial and uphold justice, honesty and truth. Thank you for all of your support over the years and God bless the people of Mono County.

Due to my retirement prior to the expiration of my term (2014), I am requesting that the board appoint Assistant District Attorney Tim Kendall, District Attorney to be effective Sunday, July 1, 2012. It should be noted that Judge Denton, Judge Eller and I were appointed by the Board and then stood for election. This is authorized by the Government Code. The county is extremely fortunate to have Tim as the Assistant District Attorney. Tim has been in the office 18 years, and is a stellar lawyer, consummate professional, natural leader, superb manager and loving husband and father.

He is smart, objective, reasonable and fair. In short, he will be a District Attorney that makes the people of Mono County proud. I encourage the board to do what previous boards have seen fit to do and that is appoint Tim as District Attorney to fill the anticipated vacancy.

George Booth
Mono Cty. District Attorney

Submitted photo

By Mike Kubiak & Ruben Ramos
Co-Captains, Team Eastern Sierra

The Baker to Vegas Relay is the most “positive” event offered to law enforcement officers today. It gives them a reason to maintain a physical fitness program which helps them better perform their duties. Over the 28 years the Baker to Vegas Relay has been run, nearly one hundred thousand law enforcement personnel have tread across the desert. The original ideals of the race continue: teamwork, camaraderie, physical fitness and competition.

Today it is the largest law enforcement event of its kind in the world with teams participating from South Wales, England; Calgary, Canada; Hamburg, Germany, and teams from throughout the United States.

The race starts near Baker, Calif. and traverses the desert and mountains, non-stop for 120 miles, before it ends in Las Vegas. There are 20 legs from 4.3 miles to more than 10 miles with varying elevation changes. The weather can change from one extreme to another as it normally does during spring. This year was one of the hottest with the temperature near 102 degrees at the start. It is a long and challenging experience.

Since 1999, law enforcement personnel serving in Inyo and Mono counties have come together to form a team to participate in the annual event. This year “Team Eastern Sierra” consisted of men and women from Mammoth Lakes Police Department, CHP-Bishop Area, CHP- Mammoth Lakes Resident Post, Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Mono County Sheriff’s Office and the National Park Service- Death Valley. The team improved from last year and placed 131 out of 280 teams with a time of 17 hours and 59 minutes.

Although the race is not a memorial run, many teams run in memory of their fallen brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate price while wearing the uniform. This year, as in years past, Team Eastern Sierra ran in the memory of Paul Pino (CHP), Richard Perkins (Bishop P.D.) and Wayne Geiger (U.S. Army, son of Randy and Kim Geiger of the Inyo Co. Sheriff’s Office).

Our participation in this race could not be possible without the support of the local community in which we serve. This year we received many donations that helped pay the entry fee and other expenses. On behalf of the runners and support personnel, we would like to thank Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Northern Inyo Hospital, Mahogany Smoked Meats, Mr. K Automotive, Sierra Auto Body, Upper Crust Pizza, Double Eagle Resort, Mammoth Lakes Noon Rotary Club, Crystal Geyser Water, Mammoth Properties, New-Cali Landscaping, Mammoth Chevron, Silver Lake Resort, Snowcreek, Norco Goodyear, Mammoth Spa Creations, Value Sports, Clocktower, Basecamp, Randi Pritchard of Eastern Sierra Realty, Jolly Kone, Rhino’s Grill, Ken’s Sporting Goods, Bridgeport Indian Colony, Walker River Lodge, Bridgeport Shell, Brewster Construction, Albert’s Meat Market, Hays Street Café, Bridgeport Gun Club, and Don & Helen Nunn.

“Congratulations to the runners for their commitment to physical fitness and esprit ‘d corps,” concluded MLPD Chief Dan Watson. “This year’s conditions were the hottest in memory. I was part of the support team and drove the follow for the first five runners. The follow vehicle’s outside thermometer showed a temperature of 123 degrees as we were going up Ibex Pass at about 4 p.m. on Saturday. Fortunately, all of Team Eastern Sierra runners were well trained and hydrated and no one was injured.”

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 

Treat education fairly!

Dear Editor:

As I have walked the halls in Sacramento over these past few days, I continue to visit with elected officials who truly care about public education. I believe they realize the importance that a strong public education has on our democracy and the economy but they are unable to agree on how to fix a broken state financial system.

Since 2007-2008, the State has faced budget deficits as large as $25 billion. The State closed these deficits in part by cutting education by $18 billion. Public education accounts for almost 40% of the state budget, yet has absorbed more than 60% of the cuts. California’s schools rank at the very bottom of all 50 states in staff-to-student ratios and California ranks 43rd in the nation in per pupil funding.

The Governor attempts to reverse this trend of consistent cuts to public education by pursuing a public vote for tax increases through a ballot measure. This call for new revenues is imperative because they are needed to maintain core educational programs. A failure to pass the governor’s initiative will result in a $5 billion cut to public schools at the mid-year mark of the 2012-2013 school year.

The Mammoth community rallied this past November and passed a renewal on our flat fee of $59 parcel tax that generates approximately $650,000 per year. The mid-year cuts to public education this past January cost Mammoth $657,000 so the parcel tax was a breakeven point for budget reductions.

So, let’s play out this potentially failed revenue ballot initiative in November, which would cause a $5 billion reduction to public education. The schools would take 90% of the cuts even though education receives far less than 90% of the revenues generated by the initiative. Clearly this is not equitable for public education.

What could this look like for Mammoth Unified? These cuts could be as high as $807 per student, which would cost the district approximately $887,000 in lost revenue. And this would occur in January 2013, which means that we need to budget for that potential reduction now as we prepare for the 2012-13 school year.

All we are requesting is that public education be treated fairly. We continue to be asked to do more with less. Our mission is to produce global citizens and that takes resources. We have a team that is focused on what is best for all students and appreciate your continued support of our work. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds!

Rich Boccia
Mammoth Unified Superintendent 

One excuse after another …

Dear Editor:

This is a response to Mr. O’Connell’s letter: Check the Pockets, The Sheet, April 14.

The obvious reality is the Town of Mammoth Lakes breached its Development Agreement contract with Terry Ballas. It is irrelevant if the Town had $5,000 or $500 million in its bank account in 1997 when our then-elected Town Councilmembers approved that Airport contract. The Town Council, Town Attorney and Town Manager should have thought long and hard about the possible financial hardship it could have put our community in if they were to breach that contract.

Don’t forget the Town of Mammoth’s attorneys, at the time of the breach, obviously failed to recognize that the Town might not be able to pay the cost of ANY judgment awarded. Check the pockets. Essentially, Town Councilmembers gambled the Town’s assets, lost the litigation, and today they are still responsible to provide essential services to our community. Where’s the outrage?

Never mind that Mr. Ballas had the right to sell the judgment to MLLA (Mammoth Lakes Land Acquisition) in good economic times or bad times, and for any price. Keep in mind that Mr. O’Connell speculates the Hot Creek project would not ever have been built at that time, when Mono County and Mammoth saw one of its best investment/construction years in decades (from 1999-2006).

In my opinion Mr. Ballas (the original plaintiff) and now MLLA were not the instigators of this great hardship to the Town of Mammoth. Like they had this all planned out in 1997 for the sole purpose of bankrupting the Town of Mammoth. Yeah, right. All they are doing today is pursuing their legal rights as determined by the court.

The letter suggested that MLLA go before our community and explain why they deserve their judgment payment, and it questioned that MLLA actually has the courage to go public with their comments. After what the Town of Mammoth Lakes has put them through for the past 15 years. Wrong! All I have heard from our elected Town Councilmembers is, I have inherited this debacle, it’s not my fault, this will never happen again … one excuse after another. Is this the kind of leadership we deserve? Never has anyone suggested a real viable solution to this problem or any accountability whatsoever.

Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil. How about this suggestion? We get all the Town of Mammoth’s Councilmembers, Town Attorneys and Town Managers from 1997 to present to attend a public town hall meeting and let them show their courage and justify their actions regarding this issue to the 8,400 Mammoth residents and property/business owners who have now become the Real Victims.

Ray Doblick
Crowley Lake

Matt Davis (orange shirt) with the Mono County Board of Supervisors. (Submitted photo)

On Tuesday, April 10 the Mono County Board of Supervisors adopted and presented a resolution in appreciation of Matt Davis for his service to our country.

Davis served as an active duty mechanic for the United States Marine Corps from 1999 until 2005, and has served as a reserve in the Nevada Army National Guard since 2005.

In December 2010, Davis was moved from reserve status to active duty in order to prepare and train for deployment. In January 2011 the Equipment Mechanic for the Mono County Road Department since 2005, was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom with the Nevada Army National Guard Company C 422D Expeditionary Signal Battalion.

Davis returned in January 2012. He was released from active duty and returned to his position in the Road Department in February 2012. The County wishes to extend a sincere ‘thank you’ in appreciation for Matt Davis’ service and to all those who serve in the military. -Mono County Press Release

Applause for Worden … 

Dear Mammoth Unified School District Board of Education:

I would like to second the comments and suggestions in Scotty Anderson’s commentary in The Sheet (“Former Student Weighs In,” March 24, pg. 7), and I’m writing this without Mammoth High School Drama Teacher Kevin Worden’s knowledge, or prompting from him in any way.

Like Scotty, I worked in network TV for several years as a comedy writer for many top stars. I’ve also worked with Kevin on several productions over the past 25 years. My opinion is that he should be considered a “community treasure.” He is not only talented, and talented people are a dime a dozen in Hollywood, but he is also a devoted teacher. That’s far less easy to come by.

One of the problems we face today is that so many administrative decisions are being driven by the fear of the ligitious nature of our present culture. Attorneys have done a very good job convincing us that we should base our judgment on what MIGHT happen and, if something does happen, that we absolutely need their help in resolving it. Both assumptions are flawed.

I remember a sign I saw on the wall of a police station a long time ago: “One or two ‘oh craps’ wipe out a bunch of ‘attaboys!’”

I don’t know the exact details of what transpired in the so-called incidents that led to Kevin’s chastisement, but having worked with adolescent kids myself in the past, there is one thing for sure: incidents will arise. The question then becomes what do you do AFTER the fact. If you are expecting a teacher to be able to prevent incidents such as what I’m told occurred, you are asking for the impossible. The question that should be asked is what did the teacher do after the incident occurred.

So, if the facts to be considered are what Kevin did after the “fake gun” incident and what he did after the “porn portrayal” incident, then that has some weight and merit. If you are suggesting that Kevin should have anticipated and prevented such incidents, that is setting a standard that no one, much less a teacher of adolescent kids, could rise to.

During Kevin’s 25 years working with kids, did anyone keep a record of how many incidents he either handled without fanfare or prevented by his anticipation of what MIGHT happen had he not acted judiciously? Would the person or persons who will make this decision be willing to be held to same standard, for instance, with their own few children in their family? Have your kids ever done dumb things that were outside the scope of your anticipation and control? If your answer is, “No,” then perhaps you should consider taking over Kevin’s job if he is ultimately dismissed. We need infallible people such as you!

I strongly suggest that you reconsider your decision to dismiss any teacher based on the idea of whether he might “step into the same hole again.”

If I had my life to live over, I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again … I’d make a whole bunch of new ones!

Thank you in advance for taking my opinion into consideration.

Lionel Burt
Mammoth Lakes

NOTE: The MUSD Board of Education met in closed session last Thursday and deliberated Worden’s dismissal, but took no action. The Board will next meet and take up the issue again in April.

On the right track

Dear Editor:

Supervisor “Hap” Hazard stated in a recent reply (Feb. 11) to an Elizabeth Boyd letter (Feb. 4) “I receive only a salary with no employee benefits in my role as a Supervisor.”

Supervisor Hazard appears to intentionally cloud the focus of Ms. Boyd’s letter by going on to cite the questionable “dangerous” incidents he was involved in during his employment as a Deputy Sheriff. There is a question of credibility regarding these claims.

However, County records indicate our Supervisor’s receive a Board (BOS) base salary of $4,109 a month, a vehicle allowance of $790 per month, term life insurance (at an unknown cost), a generous travel allowance and  approximately $450 a month if the County does not have to purchase health care insurance on their behalf. I can find no evidence that Hazard has ever “opted-out” of any of these BOS benefits.

Ironically, after Hazard denied receiving any BOS benefits, it appears he may be the only Supervisor receiving the healthcare reimbursement for employees who do not require health insurance. My understanding is the County’s recently stopped paying this benefit for the County workforce. Did the BOS also have it taken away?

In addition to his BOS salary and benefits, Hazard receives a Sheriff’s Department retirement of approximately $5,400 a month and a retirement health care benefit worth more than $1,000 a month. I intentionally low balled these figures so as not to over dramatize their effect.

Adding it up, Hazard’s total compensation, salary plus benefits, from his two PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) jobs (Sheriff’s and BOS) is conservatively estimated to be well in excess of $ 11,400 per month. Again, if Hazard has “opted out” of receiving any BOS benefits listed above, he needs to provide some supporting documentation and I will adjust my estimates accordingly.

Ms. Boyd possibly misrepresented some of the technical aspects of “double dipping,” but she was absolutely on the right track.

Terry Padilla
Mono County Assistant Sheriff (Ret.)

Editor’s Note: At Tuesday’s Mono County Board of Supervisors meeting, Hazard requested that Board members look at freezing their salaries to be “fair and equitable to employees.”

Big “A” or little “a”?

Dear Editor:

People sometimes wonder why flights can’t divert to Bishop Airport if they are unable to land at Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) due to weather. A gentleman that I rode up with on the chairlift one blustery day said he would probably have to drive to Bishop later and collect his daughter because the plane probably wouldn’t make it into Mammoth. He was right about the flight, it didn’t land in Mammoth, but his daughter didn’t end up in Bishop.

Bishop Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (BIH) is not designated as a suitable alternate airport by the airlines (let’s call it alternate with a Big “A”). This designation for the airport is not controlled by the Town but by the air carrier and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). To a pilot, any airport is a potential alternate if your aircraft is on fire (alternate with a little “a”). However, during normal operations, it is not legal for a commercial flight to list a non-compliant airport as its alternate on the flightplan.

Besides the legality issue, there would be a number of logistical problems if a commercial flight landed at BIH. There are no passenger facilities, customer service agents, bag handling equipment or personnel, ground power carts, tow-bars, or TSA personnel and screening equipment to name a few. Not to mention that lining up several 50 passenger buses on short notice might be difficult. Could it be done? Sure … but only if you throw tens of thousands of dollars at it. The FAA would have to approve the airport as an alternate and BIH would need a Crash/Fire/Rescue unit standing by anytime a flight might arrive. There’s an old aviation adage: ‘All it takes to fly is airspeed and money.’

If weather is a problem, it is far more practical and cost effective for the airline to hold a flight on the ground or cancel it before it leaves the gate. If it’s already airborne then the aircraft might enter a holding pattern for a short time (fuel permitting) if the weather if forecast to improve. Ultimately it may continue to its next destination or return to the airport it departed from.

In addition, the airline’s aircraft routers are often concerned with having the aircraft and crew stuck out of position.

Yes it’s sometimes inconvenient … welcome to aviation. It still beats the horse and buggy days most of the time.

Lee Hughes
M.L. Airport Commissioner

Mammoth on right track with Gateway Project

Dear Editor:

Winter 2012 has dealt Mammoth a triple hit: lingering bad economy, MLLA airport lawsuit, and a season with minimal snowfall resulting in a substantial drop in visitors and the recent layoff of 75 full-time employees at the Mountain.

Hard times indeed, but in my 20 years here, I’ve seen Mammoth go through hard times and come out the other side the better for it. No snow, too much snow, blizzards at the holidays, earthquakes, rising resurgent dome, high gas prices, bad economy. Yet Mammoth gets through it and moves forward.

Now, more than ever, we need to announce to visitors and potential investors: “Mammoth is open for business. We’re moving ahead and investing in our future.”

By next winter, the impressive Mammoth Gateway Community Project will make that announcement. The timing couldn’t be more crucial.

Perception is everything. Successful vacation destinations give visitors a true sense of arrival and powerful sense of place. The approach to Park City doesn’t pass the test. The first thing you see there is Wal-Mart.  Mammoth may have one of the country’s best-looking McDonald’s and a well-designed Shell station, but that’s not an entrance statement announcing, “Welcome! This is an extraordinary place.”

Town Council made a strategic and visionary decision by dedicating $250,000 from the Public Art Fund to the Gateway Project on February 15. The Public Art Fund is not part of the General Fund. It is money collected in the form of fees paid by commercial developers that can only be used for public art. Council’s decision made the difference for the success of the Project.

Last week local businessman Tony Colasardo told me, “Right now the Gateway is more important than anything else as far as public art goes. Without doing a whole lot, it changes our community and its economic strength.”

Hundreds of hours of work have been donated by Gateway designer Larry Walker and architect Bruce Woodward as well as others because they know how important the Project is for Mammoth’s future. Fundraising has been ongoing since September 2011 to cover the cost of materials and specialized labor.

Our community has a unique opportunity. Right now — when we need it most — we can leverage the support of six government agencies along with substantial construction help from Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Snowcreek Resort /The Chadmar Group with financial and in-kind contributions from locals and second homeowners to make the volunteer/private/public Mammoth Gateway partnership a reality.

We’re investing in the future because Mammoth Lakes has a future. Locals have shown over and over they’re tough, smart and resourceful. May we never again say, “Last one out of town, turn out the lights.”

Elizabeth Tenney
Mammoth Gateway Project

When will we have a safe airport?

Dear Editor: 

In his Letter to the Editor (The Sheet, March 3, 2012) Airport Commissioner Lee Hughes objects to my recent Op-Ed piece on the airport, but doesn’t refute it. And he suggests I must have an agenda, but can’t seem to figure out what that agenda is.

Absolutely I have an agenda: I am lobbying for a safe airport for commercial air service in the Eastern Sierra; for an airport that is designed for large aircraft; for an airport that is not compromised by hangars located too close to the runway.

That airport can be Mammoth-Yosemite Airport, but not without serious investment by the Town and FAA. It is time for the Town, as airport sponsor, to propose an expansion plan to accommodate large regional jets. Anything less is a disservice to the community.

Stephen Kalish
Swall Meadows

In the year 2025 …

Dear Editor:

The Mammoth Elementary School Class of 2025 had their first introduction to their new school at Kindergarten Round Up Thursday, March 1. More than 160 parents and their children joined the school staff and volunteers to learn about the kindergarten routine, meet their teachers, sign up for services, and get free dental check-ups.

Many thanks to the volunteers who help make our Kinder Round Up so successful! They include dentists Dr. Steve Fujimoto, Sierra Park Dental Clinic and Dr. Craig Schrager from Mammoth Dental and his son Malachi; Kiara Raazi, Mammoth Hospital; Debbie Painter, Wild Iris; Maria King, MD, Day and Night Pediatrics; and Taylor Kumlue, Raising a Reader Program Mammoth Library.

If you missed the Round Up and would like to pick up a registration packet and schedule a pre-kindergarten assessment for your child, contact the school at 760.934.7545. For information on how you can help your child prepare for school next fall, call First 5 Mono at 760.924.7626.

Rosanne Lampariello, Principal
Mammoth Elementary

Kathy Peterson, Molly DesBaillets
First 5 Mono County

Leading the pack, #188 Pat Monnahan, Eastern Sierra local. (Photo: Janewicz-Leggette)

By Jonnel Janewicz-Leggette

Round one of the third annual Road to Mammoth (RTM) qualifier series proved to be a successful day of motocross racing last weekend at Competitive Edge Motocross Park in Hesperia, Calif. Bishop and Mammoth locals arrived at the high desert motocross park to join the many motocross families that have followed the Mammoth Motocross spirit throughout the years.

With a new Racer X Illustrated team partnership along with Monster Energy, the six round RTM event series allows racers to get a head start on entries into the 2012 Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross which will be held this year from June 22-July 1.

Round two will continue at Porterville MX in Porterville, Calif. on March 11. For more information on the RTM series visit www.mammothmotocross.com or 2xpromotions.com.