Letters to the Editor
Johnston seeks reelection
Dear Residents of District #1:
My name is Larry Johnston and I am seeking re-election for a second term on the Mono County Board of Supervisors, representing District #1 in the heart of Mammoth Lakes.
I stand for frugal and efficient government, creative thinking, and rational decision-making. During the past three years I have helped lead efforts to eliminate overgenerous management benefits, to halt the nearly $1 million per year drain on the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, to create a Construction Stimulus Plan and to abolish the ill-conceived Development Impact Fee (DIF) program, among other initiatives. Through my participation on the local Air Board, over $80,000 has been provided directly to the Town for updating its Air Quality plan. And, to allow for greater input to County government, I have championed permanently establishing 1/3 of the Supervisors’ meetings here in Mammoth Lakes.
I will continue to be a strong advocate for regional tourism and diversification of our economy with environmentally compatible enterprises. Additionally, I support funding for regional air service, various special events – including the fireworks program, youth and cultural activities, and collaborative opportunities with the Town. I also will continue to encourage well-planned workforce housing.
It is my sincere intention to seek additional efficiencies in all areas of government and look forward to your ideas on how to serve you better. I truly believe that citizens want to be proud of their government and I will always strive to move toward that goal.
Contact: 760.914.0826 or JohnstonForSupervisor@gmail.com.
Larry K. Johnston
Supervisor, Dist. #1
Attention Pooh! Honey pot ahead!
Dear Editor:
When a report that costs ‘not to exceed’ $50,000 (Meas R funds) from SMG Consultants moves so swiftly to the Mammoth Lakes Town Council without sufficient public comment, I take notice. This report represents a gargantuan change in the way our Measure U and Measure R monies are used.
The report suggests that the Town Council give management of all Meas U and Meas R money, about $1,770,000 per year, to a Mammoth Lakes Recreation organization. This new group would have to evolve from scratch, find and furnish an office, hire employees plus benefits, etc., costing between $265,500 and $354,000 per year. This money, of course, is Meas U and R money because the only income for this new level of bureaucracy is Meas R and Meas U money. The community did not vote for any of this. Our Town Attorney said, “….my understanding of the intent of both measures has been … to fund tangible facilities and programs.”
Even more alarming, this report has not been approved by either the Recreation Commission, which makes recommendations for Meas. R, or the Trails Coordinating Committee, or the Measure U Committee, which makes recommendations for Meas U money. These three groups, with excellent public input, have done exactly what we, the people, voted for. They advised Town Council to build Whitmore Track, plan and construct trails, invest in seed money for festivals, put aside money for capital facilities and so much more. The community is grateful for a job well done.
The community has not had sufficient time to read, digest and understand a Report, finished on January 23, going to Town Council on February 19. The speed alone that some are pushing MLR forward towards a monumental change is appalling. Giving Meas R and Meas U money to an organization that will be insulated from us, the community, is utterly contrary to the what, when, where and how of why I worked for and voted for both of them. I hope I’m wrong, but this entire process smells like a back door entry into our Meas R and Meas U honey pot.
Sharon R. Clark
Mammoth Lakes
