Letters to the Editor 7.22.2017
Mammoth’s ultimate folly
Dear Editor:
First and foremost, let me thank Cleland Hoff for abstaining from the MUF vote and seeing it for what it is; Mammoths Ultimate Folly. Oh wait, that would be the airport litigation that is millions of dollars per year in payments for nothing. This town already has a multi-use facility. It consists of a skateboard park, soccer field, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, frisbee golf, walking and mountain bike trails, softball fields, picnic area with restrooms and even a concession stand that sells food. In the winter, year-round access to cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling. There is ample parking too, surrounded by forest.
It’s called Shady Rest. An ice rink would just be “icing” on the cake.
It boggles my mind that the Town Council would go ahead and destroy the last passive, natural park in Mammoth. A small piece of land bordered by residential housing on 2 sides, a kiddie park on one, and a beautiful creek is going to be plowed under; trees felled. Where’s the Lorax when you need him? And the topper is that this not so needed project, in the wrong location, is going to cost well over $10 million!
I hear the Town has a shortage of police. Due to no financial help from the TOML, there will no longer be a narcotics division.
I hear the town is woefully inadequate on employee housing, There will be an incredible shortage, causing drastic measures such as living/camping in the woods.
And the Town chooses to spend all this money on an ice rink!? How about trying to keep teachers here? How about raising funds to re-model the antiquated high school? The current ice rink location lease would have helped. This project will forever be in the red financially; a true “white elephant.”
I attended meetings, wrote letters and this looks like the last. If they ask to, I will take my friends and family to walk in the last little piece of open land left where the Spirit of Mammoth seems to reside….the Diaper Forest.
John Hellestoe
Mammoth Lakes
