Letters to the Editor
Send ‘em packing!
Dear Editor:
We came to Mammoth for a 3-day Labor Day weekend backpacking trip, and we got smoked out. I’m not talking about the Rim Fire; I’m talking about the horse packers.
As I descended from Ram Lakes to Purple Lake, I smelled smoke. I feared it was the return of the Rim Fire, but 200 yards later I arrived at a horse packer camp to find a fire spewing smoke.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked, stepping off the trail and into their personal living room. “Did you all know about the fire restrictions in place?”
Now, I am not the kind of idiot who lights a fire in blatant violation of regulations and common sense, on a popular trail, during one of the busiest weekends of the year. But if I was that kind of idiot, and a hiker asked me if I knew about the fire regulations, I might say “Oh, gosh, so sorry” and put the fire out. No conflict, no fuss, no fire.
These packers subscribed to “the best defense is a good offense” school of conflict resolution. Their leader stood up and started yelling at me:
“What do you care if we have a fire? Are you law enforcement? Are you going to give us a ticket? Well then, keep walking!”
A woman stood up and in a thick Eastern European accent, joined in. “We are responsible adults! We can do what we want! You keep walking or I will make you keep walking!”
It’s not bad enough that I have to wade through a river of horse manure on dusty horse-hammered trails, I also have to put up with verbal abuse from people who think regulations don’t apply to them?
Horse packers operate under a special dispensation from the Forest Service. Essentially they are partners with Inyo National Forest. When packers act like rules don’t apply to them, they reflect poorly on packers in general and the Forest Service in particular.
There were at least five people and five horses in their group. They were at Purple Lake September 2 at 9:30 AM. One of the men was named Jerry and one woman was named Tatiana. Can anyone figure out which horse packing group was responsible for this ridiculous behavior?
And what kind of consequences might make them improve their conduct in the future? A massive fine? Firing the group leader? Boycotting their operation?
Leonie Sherman
Santa Cruz
Under construction
Dear Editor:
The Little Brothers Skate Park is under construction in the Trails End Park in Mammoth Lakes. The park has a mini half pipe, quarter pipe, rails and a new entrance through the doggie door. The gentle slopes and small obstacles will be a perfect place for young skaters and is located next to the new playground.
Last week Mammoth Mountain Ski Area rolled into the park with, loaders, compacters, water trucks, and dump trucks to finish all the ground prep. A special thanks to Rusty Gregory, Clifford Mann and their crew for a job well done. WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THE SKATE PROJECT WITHOUT YOU.
The park has also had special last minute support from Triad Engineering, Desert Aggregrate, Marzano & Son, Allan’s Ironwork, John Eastman, and Peter Bernasconi.
Our contractor Gallagher Concrete Construction has special crew of Kyle, Brian, and Jake with Scooter and Lincoln flying in to help this week with the concrete pour this
week. Our hope is to have the park up and skating by Sept. 15, weather permitting.
On Saturday September the 7th we will be holding our annual putting contest at Sierra Star starting at noon. This is our major fundraiser so come have an afternoon of fun, food, and take part in our unbelievable raffle.
Special Thanks to local sponsors:
Wave Rave, Sierra Star, Mammoth Mountain, Footloose, Roberto’s, Slocum’s, Presson Construction, Neubauer/Jennison, Giovanni’s, U.S. Foods, 1849, Mammoth Estates, Mammoth Green, Alpine Paint, Mammoth Kayak, Mammoth Hospital, Mammoth Police, Re/Max, Z Ranch, Sierra Sundance, Stellar Brew, Burgers, The Shibley Family, Bleu, The Tibblin Family, The Wells Family, and the Hartmans.
And our Corporate Sponsors:
Oakley, Dragon, Billabong, Volcom, Burton, Anon, Analog, Mophie, Grenade, Coal, Von Zipper, Vans, Red Bull, AR4T, and Pro tec.
Special Thanks to our tireless workers Dawn True, Mike Lary, and Mark Kleinertz.
My most humble apology if I’ve left anyone out.
Come join and support the Little Brothers Skate Park.
Jane Anderson Baer
Mammoth Lakes
The following letter, regarding Mammoth’s Town Council and the resignation of Town Manager Marianna Marysheva-Martinez, was cc’d to The Sheet for publication.
Fed up
Dear Editor:
This letter is in direct response to the resignation of our Town Manager Marianna Marysheva-Martinez.
I will keep this as short as possible – since our Town Council has no time for the taxpayers. Spending the majority of their time on their own arrogant, self-serving and, at times, stupid agenda!! Haven’t we all figured out that the majority of our Town Council bases how it operates on self-preservation and ridiculous vendettas?
Here are a few things to consider:
WHAT IS THE AGENDA OF THREE OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS?
WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR TOWN MANAGER?
HOW AND WHY WAS SHE FORCED TO RESIGN?
WHY WERE THE CITIZENS OF MAMMOTH NOT INFORMED?
IS THERE REALLY THE TRANSPERANCY IN OUR GOVERNMENT WE WERE PROMISED?
This extremely poor way of governing our town has been going on for years. Since the citizens have not taken the Town Council to task for their POOR judgment and leadership (i.e. multi-million dollar lawsuit, the 4.5 million dollar ice rink, millions of dollars in severance pay, etc.)
THEY HAVE BECOME ARROGANT!!!!!!! WITH A LARGE DOSE OF I DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER TO ANYONE!!!!!
There are still other legal issues we have no answers to as well, which we need!
Our Town Council is out of control and we need change. We as a community can’t wait until June for a change we need accountability NOW!!!
John T. Vereuck
Mammoth Lakes
The following letter was written in memory of Lloyd Cearley who passed away last month.
Live like Lloyd
Dear Editor:
It would be redundant to say that in life there are some things you just don’t see coming and what usually follows that statement is tailored more for bad news than good. We are often blindsided by that miserable cliche that is the precursor to something so undeniably painful and unexpected we are left shocked and reeling. That blatant truth is a blow to the spirit and immediately after it hits us, we are left trying to catch our breath and regain our composure only to be pounded by wave after wave of grief. Sometimes we can’t get up quickly enough, but eventually we do, and we amble toward reason.
I, and countless others experienced that unforgiving circumstance when we learned our Dear Lloyd Taylor Cearley left us. Upon hearing of his sudden departure, we were shocked, saddened, and searching for answers in a dark, beckoning void. Mercifully, time has somewhat dulled the pain of his loss. It has come to pass that the pain is now intermittent because sudden bursts of Lloyd’s abundant energy power through dimensions and gently pats me on the head with a warm, soothing hand. And then I am hugged by his great spirit and it is a wonderful, comforting thing. I am reminded that eventually we have to stop wondering “why” and start remembering “when.”
First of all, how could anyone not instantly like a person with the name “Lloyd?” His name was uncommon and so was he. Until Lloyd, I had never met anyone from Florida. It was a double-whammy of Awesome when we became friends. He was a giant heart of a man, in size and spirit, extremely generous and so, so, kind. He loved us all and we loved him back, tenfold. When you got one of his all-encompassing teddy bear hugs, you left his arms with a smile plastered on your face and suddenly, life was not so bad. He was adorable, grinny, had a goofy laugh I will always treasure. I am quite certain a comb never crossed his hair. He was too busy living for that.
Lloyd was the guy who volunteered to help you move. We didn’t even have to bribe him with beer and pizza! I mean, who does that? And during a November snowstorm! He also loved to cook and entertain. He would put on a spread and never asked you to bring a side dish. He would put out so much sashimi you were stuffed before the main course. And then, God love him, he would grill the juiciest, most tender Rib-Eye and just smother it with Maria’s Blue Cheese Dressing (I ate it anyway). He, however ate like a knight at King Arthur’s Table, voraciously and with passion – he just loved food. A napkin had no business with him. But then, teddy bears don’t care how they eat because they are too busy savoring every morsel.
Lloyd loved to have fun and always made sure his friends were up in spirit. He was terri?c at empathy, but he wouldn’t let you stay in a sad place for too long. He gave so much of his heart, I often wonder if he left any for himself. He was gregarious, loved music, and had a passion for events, and he loved people – especially his family. He was a conduit for uniting all sorts of people from all sorts of places. And Lloyd never forgot; he took it upon himself to honor the Fallen Ski Patrollers who died on that fateful day in April, 2006. Every year, come bluebird or blizzard, you could ?nd him at the Chair 2 parking lot grilling for all the patrollers and his friends. He had boundless energy and I admired him for it. I mean, hello? His dream of Mammoth 2 Bishop was set in motion immediately after his cancer surgery! But then, I opine that those with humongous souls probably thrive off kindness and realizing their dreams.
Above all things, Lloyd loved and lived with all his might. He worked hard and he played hard. Between bartending at Steeps Bar at the mountain in winter, conducting events and playing DJ during the summer, or whatever work came his way, he kept himself busy. For him, work meant play and he earned every second of every summer abroad in Bali or Indonesia, or wherever, absorbing culture, chasing waves- and hopefully, (the handsome devil), hoards of adoring women. When he wasn’t sur?ng, he was snowboarding, a giant barreling down every run in any type of weather and terrain – preferably powder, and much of it.
At his memorial, his family and his friends gathered to remember him atop the mountain he knew so well and dearly loved. Once again, he united people in his own way and we mourned him hard. The Minarets and stunning landscape surrounded all of us as we shed unrelenting tears. The sun was incredibly bright but forgiving, and the howling wind that usually blows, graciously took a bow and quieted down for an amazing, appropriate remembrance (here’s looking at you, Wendi Goodwin). She eulogized him like no other, and reminded us to “Live Life Like Lloyd” even though it is at times, hard to imagine life without him. He would not want us to look back because he was all about living in the moment. Even as I write, I am ?lled with a great sadness and I feel a great void in the world since he left. I can’t believe I will never see him again-at least not on this plane. But then, again, I know he wouldn’t want me in that place for too long, so with all my heart, I will Live Life Like Lloyd.
Angela Costa
Mammoth Lakes
