Main Street or Main Lodge?

Dear Editor:

Is everything cheaper somewhere else? Is Mammoth retail the primary draw for tourists?

Previously, The Sheet has printed three letters with respect to the Main Street “improvements” proposed by Mammoth Mountain C.E.O. Rusty Gregory and the condition of retail in Mammoth. Gregg Martino’s letter successfully and comprehensively stated many of the concerns of business owners on Main St. and demonstrated the flaws in the “Rusty Plan.” Likewise, Mr. Warner’s letter also had many good ideas well worth considering. However, Mr. Warner says, “You can’t buy anything in Mammoth that you can’t buy cheaper somewhere else.” Somehow I suspect that shopping may not be one of Ken’s chief pursuits, just like most guys, myself included. If it were, Ken would know that the prices at our national tenants at Mammoth Luxury Outlets are just as low as the prices at Cabazon, Camarillo, Carlsbad or any other outlet center in California.

And, while Ken may not believe that people come to Mammoth to shop, it is an axiom that of any four winter visitors, less than three, on average, are skiers. That leaves at least one visitor out of every four with time on their hands and outlet shopping to do. Since that non-skiing visitor is oftentimes the decision maker about where the ski vacation will take place, we’d like to think that the outlets help provide Mammoth with an attraction that complements the ski area in winter, and is an important focus for summer visitors who aren’t fishing, hiking, playing golf, etc.

Meanwhile, in her letter, Planning Commissioner Elizabeth Tenney takes local businesses to task for not being up to snuff with respect to their appearance, and, of course, she makes a good point. However, there is a fact Elizabeth should be aware of. Ideally Main St. and all other commercial venues in Mammoth should look as nice as Vail, Aspen, or any of our other competitors in North America. Unfortunately, since we have yet to command mid-week traffic at the level of a Vail or Aspen, the result is that local businesses simply cannot pay rent anywhere near what is the norm in those other resorts. In fact, the average rent in Mammoth Lakes is one-tenth or less of what prime commercial space in Vail or Aspen commands. This lack of income limits what landlords can do to present a really spiffy exterior.

Does this excuse burned-out light bulbs and droopy old banners? Of course not, but, in the end the success of the Mountain will be the ultimate arbiter of the appearance of our commercial establishments in Mammoth. When the Mountain does well, that’s more people to shop and dine, and when tenants earn more, they can afford more rent and landlords can plow more money back into their buildings.

In terms of what attracts visitors to Mammoth in the wintertime, almost three-quarters of our visitors come for the skiing and the other quarter is tagging along with the skiers. While it is true that we are falling behind in competing with other resort communities, if the Mountain is the chief engine that brings tourists to Mammoth, then you have to look at how the Mountain stacks up against other resorts. The terrain on the mountain, the lifts and the crews that operate them are the equal of any resort (and better than almost all), but are Main Lodge, Mid-Chalet and Canyon Lodge really competitive with Vail or Aspen? How about the tent at Chair 15?

That is not to say that we on Main Street and Old Mammoth Road don’t have an obligation to create the absolute best environment we can, and we’re working on it. But in the end, the best retail area in the world won’t be enough if the on-Mountain base facilities look like the 1970s. If Old Mammoth Place is ever going to be built and if Main Street is to get a major facelift, it will have to be in-concert with major redevelopment on the Mountain. Ever since Barry Sternlicht bought the Mountain, we’ve heard the promises, but so far, Mr. Gregory is too busy redesigning Main Street when he should be rebuilding Main Lodge.

Paul Rudder
Mammoth Lakes

The Town’s next budget

Dear Editor:

In order for Mammoth’s Town Council to determine the amount of next year’s Town Budget, the Council must first project revenues for that 12 month time frame.

Our bed tax, or TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) is the single largest revenue generator for our budget, generating around $10 million, or about 60% of each budget.

I believe there are at least four good reasons why the Town received a high level of TOT revenue this winter season. This better-than-projected TOT revenue will likely create a budget surplus for 2009-2010.

First, we had a winter with plentiful snowfall while our western resort competitors fared less well.

Second, we enjoyed a relatively late Easter and the weather and new snowfall have been conducive to marketing our great conditions in Mammoth.

Thirdly, Mammoth Mountain – (MMSA) hired a top notch marketing person, paid him a lot of money, and gave him a rather large marketing budget with which to produce a large amount of visitors. It would appear that “MMSA” has been successful. And the Town has come along for the ride, and benefited financially as well.

Finally, the Town and MMSA increased the number of our daily air flights from only one last year to four this year. And all flights, excepting the Reno connection, have turned out successful beyond our projections. Air Service not only generates passengers, it also creates promotions and marketing, resulting in the incremental visitor, and therefore higher TOT revenues.

Of the four good reasons, probably the most important generator of visitors, and therefore TOT revenues, was the plentiful snowfall this winter. Plentiful snowfall does not happen every year. So, questionable snowfall, coupled with a continued weak economy, are the two main reasons I would recommend projecting budget Revenues at a maximum level of 95% of this years “projected” revenues, and not 100% of this past year.

Now is not the time to become overly optimistic about our financial future. The Town must continue making conservative financial projections, replenish our reserve funds, especially the Reserve for Economic Uncertainty, and be Spartan in our spending habits, until the economy has clearly turned around, and begins generating higher levels of revenue for the Town.

John Eastman, Councilmember
Town of Mammoth Lakes

Coach Gray replaced

Dear football supporters:

I would like to thank all of the people who have supported me and the MHS football program for the past 11 months. I know there was a struggle to field a varsity team in my first season, but I had planned on a winning season this year. Unfortunately, the former and future high school principals have replaced me for reasons that they would not disclose.

I am really disappointed that I have not been given the chance to continue the great Mammoth football tradition that had been passed on to me.

The thing I will miss the most is coaching/mentoring/helping the kids and I wish them the best of luck. I have been a player, an assistant coach and briefly the head coach of Mammoth High School, and I will always support the Huskies.

Thanks to all of the people and businesses who have and do support Mammoth High School Football.

James Gray
Mammoth Lakes

Firing back at Shooter Wolf

Dear Editor:

Your recent article, “Shooter Wolf” (The Sheet, April 3), was a disgusting slap in the face to the sport of cross country skiing, the Mammoth Biathlon, Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center, the volunteers at the event, and the participants who took the event more seriously than the self-aggrandizing author, Wolf.

He starts his article with his original mishaps on skis by calling the sport “ridiculous.” He moves onto a description of his mental capacity by writing, “I had no clue I would actually have to ski there [to the biathlon shooting range]. I was naively hoping I wouldn’t have to ski at all.”

He then takes a potshot at world-class cross country skiers with, “But everyone knows if you do a sport that only 2% of the world’s population does, then you have an awesome shot at making the Olympics.” Then his endorsement for drinking until you have a hangover worthy of “a Jedi-puke.”

Continuing with his motivation to race, “Benny and I had a bottle of Jose Cuervo Silver on the line,” and in perfect conclusion, “I guess all it takes is some tequila, guns and spandex to make ‘punishment’ like cross-country skiing more interesting.”

Wolf could have written an article that used self-deprecation as a means to describe the difficulty of the sport. He could have talked about the time and effort Mike Karch and a host of others made to make this event happen. He could have described the difficulties encountered and the talent necessary to be a world-class biathlete or cross country skier. He could have interviewed the two Olympians at the event. Instead he used his space to write a pathetic and sophomoric article.

I’m a wagering man too Wolf, and I’ll wager you don’t have what it takes to apologize to Tamarack, Mike Karch, the participants and the volunteers.

Party on, grow up and next time spare us more of your delinquent point of view.

Claude Fiddler
Mammoth Lakes

Editor’s reply: I think the purpose of Colin’s piece was to, in an entertaining way, introduce folks to a rather obscure sport (at least in this country) that’s really starting to catch on. Certainly, it’s catching on in Mammoth, which can  now boast of hosting the nation’s largest biathlon (in terms of participation).

As much as you hated Wolf’s article, we hope it serves to continue to “enlarge the tent” and increase participation.

One always walks a fine line with humor writing and one size definitely does not fit all. I know Colin well enough to know he bore no malice towards anyone in the composition of that story.

It takes a Village

Dear Editor:

At the end of April, I may step down as the leasing agent for the Village at Mammoth. It was about 10 months ago Intrawest and CNL Mammoth approached me and a number of other real estate professionals in Mammoth Lakes in order to fill the desired position of leasing broker for the Village at Mammoth. Although Intrawest had a number of very qualified people to choose from, they ultimately selected Trademark Properties to represent them as their local real estate representative; and for that I thank them.

As we all know, the Village has transformed from a fairly challenged piece of property to a much more thriving destination for visitors and locals alike. Occupancy rates are currently at 85% and likely to exceed this figure, assuming a few more prospects decide to sign on as new tenants.

Since the revitalization of the Village at Mammoth, I have been praised time and again for the successes that the Village has experienced. While I am very grateful for the praise, I think it only appropriate to place credit where credit is due and let the entire community know I was merely one spoke in the wheel.

The Village would not have experienced the successes that it did without a property owner who was willing to confront the challenges of the current real estate market. Joe Walsh, Senior VP of Intrawest Placemaking, and Intrawest’s Jason Roland displayed the foresight and leadership to take the leasing campaign to where it is today. Joe and Jason understood the situation presented to us all, and always offered good solutions to problems that always seemed to crop up at the least opportune times.

The Village Neighborhood Company, under the leadership of Betsy Smith and her staff, has gone above and beyond the call of duty to expand the events and creativity that the Village provides for our town. Betsy and her staff have been working with our local Chamber of Commerce and other event entities to create new events, such as the Mammoth Rocks festival.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and its respective tenants also showed real backbone, stepping up to the plate when the Village and town needed them most. MMSA utilized its resources to build out the previously vacant unit facing the Village stage, filling the space with the newly popular Hyde Lounge.

The Mountain took over the majority of the vacant spaces in the Village and was key in reopening the parking lot on Minaret Boulevard so that all the tenants and customers could enjoy the benefits of commercial parking. The Mountain’s marketing department has also exemplified what successes can look like when a good product is properly marketed. For all that they have done, an appropriate thank you is deserved to MMSA, its employees and all their various affiliates.

Last, and certainly not least, a special thank you to all of the tenants at the Village at Mammoth for having such strength and exhibiting leadership in times of turmoil. These tenants saw the long-range benefits of the Village and stuck it out. In a period that has given us some of the most daunting economic times experienced in generations, these businesses mustered incredible courage and fortitude.

In many cases, they risked it all, having the faith that Mammoth Lakes was the right place to succeed.

The next time you visit the Village at Mammoth, or see any of these leaders in town, consider offering your thanks as well.

My decision to not renew my contract with CNL/Intrawest stems from my desire to work with equally as wonderful people at the Town Council level. I’m optimistic that our town as “One” can achieve similar successes in the near future.

Matthew Lehman
Trademark Properties

Dear Editor:

While I am not surprised by there being an appeal of Old Mammoth Place, I am greatly disappointed.

With Planning Commission’s approval of Old Mammoth Place, I felt a surge of forward momentum that has not been present in Mammoth Lakes in quite awhile. Granted this project would not have broken ground immediately, however, it promises future construction which will bring economic vitality followed by new business opportunities which in turn create hundreds of new jobs and revenue for the Town.

I see no evidence to substantiate the five points noted in the appeal.  The applicant and staff did their due diligence in providing Planning Commission a thorough and comprehensive report which the Commission approved. Do not simply take my word for it; all the documentation is available to the general public. The process was transparent.

Begging the question, where were those pushing this appeal during the public hearing process?  As stated several times, there were over 50 meetings which allowed the public to participate, voice concerns and/or gain knowledge of the project.  Furthermore, on August 5, 2009, Town Council approved a resolution to modify Community Benefits/Incentive Zoning (CBIZ). Review the minutes from this meeting. Not one person spoke from the floor in opposition.

Town Council appoints our Planning Commissioners who volunteer countless hours sifting through documents, policies, and guidelines set forth in our general plan to ensure the applicant is in compliance. I entrust these commissioners do not have a personal agenda as they are charged with making decisions based on facts. It is in the best interest of Council to uphold the recommendations of those five appointed Commissioners.

In a very short period of time Mr. Demetriades has demonstrated his commitment to this community. He has invested a substantial amount of money into revitalizing the Sierra Nevada Lodge. By reopening The Rafters he has created new job opportunities. And he even managed to transform a parking lot into a family friendly mini golf course.

What message does this appeal send to Mr. Demetriades and other visionaries? What is the message we are sending to our business community? What does this indicate to those with capital who may be looking to invest in Mammoth Lakes? That Mammoth Lakes is not a friendly place to do business is only reinforced by people who seem to only want to impede the process.

Dawn Vereuck
Mammoth Lakes