Letters to the Editor
Life Lessons?
The following letter is in response to a May 19 letter penned by Nancy Mahannah of the Mono County Health Dept. regarding the MHS Senior Symposium:
Dear Editor:
“Topics covered in the three-morning symposium included self-defense, reproductive health, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, defensive driving, first aide treatment and seeking treatment for mental health stressors, healthy relationships, planning for disasters away from home and alternative exercise programs …”
I’m sure these topics and others covered were considered meaningful to the school district. What I would like to know as a concerned adult is if the following topics were also discussed: how to write an impressive resume, what college courses offer the best career future, credit card interest rates and problems that come with that, how to apply for a loan, what “small print” to look for on a credit card or personal and home loan, how to balance a check book, living within your means, etc.
Was a representative from a loan office or maybe a financial advisor in attendance sitting next to the yoga instructor? Or was a “Head Hunter” or career specialist sitting next to the Kung Fu Master? If so, I stand corrected and it just wasn’t mentioned in the letter. If not, why not?
We need our future professionals to learn life lessons that will keep them from financial ruin, becoming successful contributing adults, learning the importance of personal responsibility, making good decisions etc…
It may not be PC but it’s life and it’s real.
Donna Felix
Crowley Lake
Wheeler of political fortune
Dear Editor:
Redistricting has placed us in new Assembly District 5 and in the new 8th Congressional District. On your ballot, you may see some unfamiliar candidate names running in these new districts. It is very important to vote in the primary June 5 because of Prop 14 rules: the top two candidates with the most votes, even if both are from the same party, advance to the November election.
There are two Democratic candidates and four Republicans running for the new 5th Assembly District.
Marc Boyd has the California Democratic Party endorsement. Marc made two trips here and impressed me with his knowledge of our district’s issues. He lives in the Sierra foothill town of Arnold and understands the economy and problems of this district that covers five counties on both sides of the Sierra.
Marc is a grassroots campaigner. On campaign trips he stops to talk to small business owners, spending more time listening to their ideas and concerns than on pushing his candidacy. He will be an excellent representative, one who can bridge the political divide to get things done. He is focusing on jobs and education.
The leading Republican candidate Rico Oller has held office previously. Rico Oller says, “I don’t believe in global warming; it’s pseudo-science, and there’s no consensus of opinion about it. And it’s just hubris to think we’re solely responsible for it if it does exist.”
Our new 8th Congressional District presents a rare opportunity to elect a Representative who will work for us. There are 11 Republicans and 2 Democrats (Jackie Conaway and John Pinkerton) vying for the two November spots. Republicans have a 10% registered voter advantage, but with 11 Republicans, most of equal experience and name-recognition splitting the vote, two Democrats could be the winners.
I believe John Pinkerton is the best candidate and has the best chance of winning. He has name recognition and campaigns to win. He is a guidance counselor at the largest high school in Victorville, the largest population center in the district. Pinkerton is a good listener and is interested in our issues and concerns. He is focused on jobs and promoting public education policies that actually benefit our kids. He pledges to put our country before partisanship, support our service men and women, protect American workers and small businesses, and to work for a sensible, moderate government that benefits everyone.
In this race all the Republicans are very far right politically. McEachron and Valles are proud of preventing Planned Parenthood from moving into Victorville; Liberatore, a hate radio host, was endorsed by Arizona Sherriff Joe Arpaio; Imus was co-founder of the border vigilante group Minuteman Civil Defense Corp; and Mitzelfelt founded a tea party group in San Bernardino County.
Please vote for either Pinkerton or Conaway so both can advance to the November election.
Wilma Wheeler
Mammoth Lakes
Pray For Air Service
Dear Editor:
If you favor air service by modern larger aircraft, tell the Planning Commission and Town Council not to approve the Revised Airport Layout Plan and send it back for corrections.
This plan contains dozens of technical errors and omissions and does not meet FAA standards for the aircraft flying here now. There is no chance the FAA will approve it. The desired modifications of FAA standards were already disapproved several years ago. It is a bureaucratic disaster; staff has been working on it for a year and still didn’t get it right.
The airlines want the needed upgrades. , mainly moving the taxiway and all hangars north. An internal FAA memo reports a meeting between the FAA, the airlines, and airport staff in which the staff promised that the upgrades would be done. The Revised Airport Layout Plan promises nothing. The Town is going back on its word.
So, if you think it is dumb to risk having the airlines pull out and also risk the loss of certification after the FAA disapproved the plan, tell the Town to fix this defective plan.
Of course, if you see no reason for large aircraft and would be happy with smaller ones, or would enjoy watching the Town execute a classic Mammoth faceplant, do nothing. It’s your choice.
Owen Maloy
Mammoth Lakes
Stumping for Fred
Dear Editor:
This letter expresses my support for Fred Stump for District 2 supervisor. I retired from the Inyo National Forest Service Fire Management organization and have worked with Fred when he was a professional firefighter for CDF (now called Cal Fire). During his career Fred worked in the Incident Command System (ICS). It is a structured interagency organization that most large fire departments use across the country.
Fred has worked and continues to work in his present position within this structure. People must get along; many coming from different work backgrounds. Often is the case you may have never met the person who now is your supervisor and might be from a different agency.
We are lucky to have our fire agencies and lucky also to have Fred who I know will always listen to his constituents and put cooperation between individuals working in the county as a high priority. Fred’s demonstrated ability to work well with others would bring a valuable asset to a seat on the Board of Supervisors. I urge you to help elect Fred Stump our next District 2 Supervisor.
Michael Levine
Swall Meadows
Henning Resigns
The following was addressed to the Mono County Board of Supervisors and Voters of Mono County
This letter is notice that I will resign as Mono County Assessor effective June 28, 2012 to pursue other professional opportunities.
I am grateful to Mono County voters first electing me to office in June 2008. As a result of their support, the Office of Assessor is more professional and accountable to Mono County property owners and taxpayers.
It has been an honor to serve the taxpayers of Mono County, and I will always treasure their support of my aim – to serve the public with integrity, professionalism, accountability and responsibility.
Jody Henning
Mono County Assessor
Editor’s Note: Henning stated in an email that Assistant Assessor, Chris Lyons also resigned this week. “Both were merely a coincidence and both of are moving on to other professional opportunities with secure environments,” Henning said.
