Letters to the Editor

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