LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, FEBRUARY 8, 2025
Published in the February 8, 2025 edition.
Dear Editor,
I would like to remind Mr. Blazenski (letters section, Feb. 1 issue, p. 4) that unlike a family, the government of a well functioning democratic republic governs by consent of the governed.
We individuals, as well as local and regional governments, receive benefits from the federal government because the elected officials who represent us, have determined they are needed for a civic benefit. While we have appropriated these benefits for our cause, we retain the right to disagree with the government that has issued them, on other matters.
Only in an oligarchic state, or a crime syndicate, is there a quid pro quo, where benefits are contingent upon loyalty to those in power.
Most of us agree on the need for large scale assistance in fire prevention. However appropriating federal resources for this purpose does not obligate us to support federal policies many view as racist, anti-humanitarian, illegal and unconstitutional.
Urmas Franosch
Mammoth Lakes
I still CAREs
Dear Editor,
ICARE of the Eastern Sierra appreciates the mention of our organization and services in your February 1, 2025 edition (“Shelter Population Surge,” p. 2). As ICARE’s President, I wanted to clarify and add to the information contained in your article.
ICARE has been helping the pets and people of the Eastern Sierra since 1997. Our primary mission is to provide spay and neuter assistance to pet owners in financial need. But, we have also committed to helping with the cost of spaying and neutering all pets adopted from the Inyo County Animal Shelter. In all, ICARE has helped to “fix” over 16,000 pets in Inyo and Mono Counties at a cost of about $730,000. We believe that preventing the birth of unplanned cats and dogs is the humane answer to our country’s ongoing pet overpopulation crisis. Since our founding 28 years ago, ICARE’s approach to preventing litters has decreased the number of cats and dogs impounded at the Inyo County shelter by 45%; adoption rates have increased by 424%; and, most importantly, the number of Inyo County shelter animals euthanized has decreased an incredible 98%.
The article mentioned the fact that ICARE’s founding members, Ted and Lisa Schade, no longer live in the Eastern Sierra. While this is true, my wife, Lisa, and I continue to run ICARE out of our home on the Central Coast. I am the president and Lisa is the CEO/Treasurer/Secretary. Even though we no longer live on the East Side, we remain deeply committed to the welfare of Eastern Sierra pets and continue to help people and their pets every day. ICARE maintains its local Bishop phone number (760-872-3802), which rings in our home office. Lisa takes calls and helps pet owners arrange for their low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and works with local vets to assure that both pets and their people receive the financial help they need.
Additionally, ICARE has a Board of Directors made up of pet lovers from both Inyo and Mono County—it is still very much a local effort. The organization is much bigger than the two people leading it. The fact that we continue to help many hundreds of pets annually (528 in 2024 alone at a cost of $30,500) shows that ICARE is still active and caring for local pets.
Thank you again for the mention and we would remind your readers that our success is due to the faithful support and generosity of our amazing donors. Please visit our website ICAREforPets.org for more information or to donate to our worthy cause.
Ted Schade
ICARE President
Two hours can save a life
Dear Editor,
Thank you to Paige Fisher for covering Guzel’s inspiring story in last week’s cover story, “How to Save a Life.” Though she suffered cardiac arrest while in the lift line with her family, she survived because of the incredible work of bystanders, Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol, Mono County EMS, Mammoth Hospital, and Reach/Sierra LifeFlight. It was a rare privilege for us medical providers to hear a patient’s story in her own words and to see someone who we battled to save ultimately emerge alive and well.
Dan Flynn, MMSP manager, Candace Kasulka RN, Mammoth Hospital Ski Patrol Liaison/emergency department nurse, and myself created the Eastside Winter Trauma Series with the goal of bringing our local agencies together to discuss cases, develop relationships, and improve patient care. In that vein, our presentation last week focused on the life-saving power of high quality CPR and early AED application and defibrillation. Without these interventions, Guzel would have died. CPR requires no equipment and minimal training. AEDs are widespread but have to be sought out. For those in our community that are not yet CPR trained, please consider taking Elevate Mammoth Hospital’s Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course. In two hours, anyone can learn the skills needed to save a life. Sign up at:
https://www.elevatemammoth.com/heartsaver-firstaid-cpr-aed
Sierra Bourne MD
NIH and Mammoth Hospital
