Letters to the Editor
Ill-conceived initiative
Dear Editor:
In 2002, I purchased a condominium in Mammoth Lakes to be my second home to enjoy throughout the year with my family. I had no intentions of renting it.
A few years later some of my older kids’ co-workers asked to stay in my home during ski season. Shortly thereafter, I advertised my place on vrbo.com, paid for my business license, have always timely filed the Transit Occupancy Tax returns and paid the taxes. I am careful about who I will rent to, have refused to rent to large groups, have many families who return to my place annually and my few renter problems have been minor such as a tenant locking his keys in the unit or people leaving things behind on departure asking me to return them.
I recently received and read the new municipal ordinance that went into effect on October 16 to make sure that I comply with the law. I read that I can be fined thousands of dollars and have my Business Tax Certificate revoked if I don’t comply with the law.
Section 5.40.040 requires me to post a sign “readily visible to the public” that my place is a transient rental. This is nothing more than an invitation for burglary and vandalism whether it is right outside my front door or in a central location at the condominium complex. Did anybody on the Town Council even consider this? My tenants know who owns the unit since they sign contracts and are given the “rules” to abide by. They know how to reach me 24/7 and I do have somebody locally who takes care of my place when I’m not around.
I’m going to reconsider two other options which are (1) not renting to anybody at all; and (2) selling my unit and saying “goodbye” to a place that I used to enjoy with my family.
Ever since the airport litigation fiasco when I come to visit Mammoth I find myself leaving depressed rather than refreshed. This is the first year I didn’t even buy a season’s pass. Perhaps it’s time to say “goodbye” for good.
Howard Fields
Woodland Hills
The west is the best
Dear Editor,
Some time ago, I wrote a lengthy letter to the Sheet in favor of Mammoth Creek West Park as a new location for the ice rink. Each site has its pros and cons. Everything and every location has been pretty much analyzed and vetted, and Mammoth Creek Park West remains the best, most viable option for a permanent and covered outdoor ice rink and multi-use facility.
The current rink location is not at all attractive from a long term financial and business investment perspective. There is very little exposure to traveling resort guests, either by automobile, bicycles or pedestrians. The rink is located in an obscure and unattractive location. It is literally and figuratively a dead end space. This is not a location the Town can promote as a resort or community attraction.
If we are to spend millions of dollars on Town infrastructure, we better enhance our overall appearance and viability as a resort and community, building something in which we can take some pride of ownership. The current location will not serve.
There was a recent letter to The Sheet which stated we need to do things Sun Valley. Well, Sun Valley wouldn’t stick it’s community and resort ice rink attraction in an industrial or commercial park, hidden away with no charm or ambiance whatsoever.
In addition to these fundamental “location” problems with the site, there is another far more critical issue. You cannot make a substantial investment in development when you do not own the land.
There was once a private and popular beach club in Santa Monica, California, called the Sand and Sea Club. At one time, the Club had an option to purchase the land, but members unwisely elected to renew the lease instead. Years later the City of Santa Monica decided to create greater public beach access and chose not to renew the lease. The members lost everything.
Should the school district decide not to renew the lease 20 plus years from now, when the current debate is long forgotten, when many of us are gone, people would be asking why so much money was invested in a location that the Town did not own, saying that it was a poor financial decision, that it was shortsighted.
This is the same financial reason that Mammoth Mountain Ski Area will not rebuild the Main Lodge area until the company owns the land, plain and simple.
Mammoth Creek Park East? Not viable. The Town would need to purchase the land from the U.S. Forest Service. Even if a sale could be consummated, which is not guaranteed, this would come at a huge financial expense and take years to accomplish. People can simply check this off the list of possible locations for a MUF.
Objections from the serious ice skating enthusiasts? These concerns are well taken. However, this is an extremely small group, relatively speaking, compared to the number residents here in Mammoth and the millions of visitors we receive annually. If we are going to spend millions of dollars on a roof and upgrades to an ice rink, these dollars must benefit and enhance the greater resort and community as a whole. It would be unwise rushing to the quickest, most expedient solution; we need to think long term and about the bigger picture.
As for the neighbors next door, it’s their right to fight this, hire lawyers and delay the process. The reality is that the Town owns this land, and there are apparently no easements or limitations that restrict its use. Anywhere homes are built next to undeveloped land, they can expect to see something built there one day. The Town has a right to use the land for its highest and best purpose. Something, whether it is an ice rink or other facilities, or a combination of both, will likely be built there.
Destroying green space? Everywhere we look in Mammoth Lakes there are unobstructed views and open green space, literally everywhere outside the Town’s limits and boundaries, and even from within. Locating the MUF in this little corner of the Town’s existing park will not effect the outdoor beauty of Mammoth Lakes.
An outdoor ice rink would be completely consistent with the current use of the park, featuring kids and adults recreating outdoors, augmenting the current use of the park, not conflicting with it. In summertime, will basketball and volleyball under the roof on a drizzly day conflict with the park’s current use? Low intensity outdoor lighting will be required, further contained by the roof, all turned off at a reasonable hour. The Town will mitigate trash and crime issues; none have really been observed at other parks, so why here?
The current ice rink site and Mammoth Creek Park East are not viable options. If people have another suggestion beside these three choices, then they should raise it for analysis and vetting. The Plan Your Parks process was completed, the Town has looked at all of the options, and the Mammoth Creek Park West location is the only current solution.
Dan O’Connell
Mammoth Lakes
Negligence of basic duty
Dear Editor,
I want to once again express opposition to the Hockey Rink being built at MCPW.
I would also like to express disappointment in Mammoth Lakes’ elected officials who fail to practice the most basic of their duties, e.g., listening to the people they represent.
In addition, the review by the board members of the Rec Commission’s due diligence of different relocation sites was a laughable, inbred show of rubber stamping; not a single question was asked about Grady Dutton’s recommendations, not a single feedback provided, nor even debate about the MCPW site.
That meeting was a total disgrace, and shows why this town does not trust its elected officials.
Maria Sandoval
La Vista Blanc owner
