Page 2: The great hollowing
Editor’s note: Since this article ran in last week’s print version of The Sheet, the Town of Mammoth’s Public Works Director Ray Jarvis has also resigned.
Another week, more defections. It appears two more members of Mammoth’s middle class are moving on, taking three school-age children with them.
MHS Principal Gabe Solorio tendered his resignation to the Mammoth Unified School Board on June 30, the day his contract expired. Mr. Solorio did not return phone calls seeking comment. MUSD is advertising for a successor. Salary range for the job is $94,460-$106,872 plus benefits. The application deadline is July 19. Applications can be made through www.edjoin.org.
The other bye-bye is for Town Assistant Building Official and Solid Waste Coordinator Johnny Goetz, who is leaving to take a job as Chief Building Official in Truckee.
Goetz was with the Town for nine years. His final day is August 2.
Goetz served in many volunteer capacities during his stint in Mammoth. He was the President of the local 3291 employee union, the President of the General Employee Association, the Vice-President of the Management Employee Association and the President of the Mammoth Lakes Firefighters’ Association.
He’s been married seven years to Heidi (Hartman) Goetz, and has two children, Calvin (5) and Casey (four months).
Goetz told The Sheet this week he is leaving for opportunity, not only for himself but his family.
Sheet: Is the recent upheaval within Town government a factor in your decision-making?
Goetz: Yes, but the primary reason is for my family and career.
Sheet: Do you believe the public is appreciative of those in civil service?
Goetz: I would hope so. 80% of government employees aren’t there for the money. They genuinely like helping people and solving problems … Since the recession, the employees here have made continual sacrifices. I think if Town employees are asked to sacrifice in the future, they will do what is needed.
The story which sums up Johhny for me occurred several years ago in the early days of The Sheet. There was a huge blizzard and it was snowing all the way down to Little Lake. No way my aging Mercury sedan was gonna make that trip, and the CREST bus wasn’t running. I don’t know how Johnny learned of my predicament, but he called me and told me to take his truck. Which I did, white-knuckling it all the way to Ridgecrest and back, thinking to myself, “What’s nuttier? Driving in this weather, or someone who is little more than an acquaintance loaning me his car to drive in this weather?”
