Letters to the Editor
SOS (Save Our Squirrels!)
Dear Editor:
As I drive about town, I have lately witnessed a lot of road-killed squirrels. Many more of them, in fact, than I have seen in recent years, especially going down Lake Mary Road between Hidden Valley Road and the Voodoo Chute (aka Short Street).
I think that the new wall may have had some effect, because squirrel fatalities have been quite noticeable this spring after that wall was completed.
And I know people speed here a lot.
A suggestion: slower speed and watch for wildlife.
Joe Arechiga
Mammoth Lakes
Hoping for better
Dear Editor:
In the film “A Distinguished Gentleman” Eddie Murphy’s character gets elected to Congress and immediately the donations and campaign contributions come rolling in as he learns the nature of the con game that is played in today’s political arena. I am reminded of a city councilman who once declared, “Sure, I took the money (from a land developer). But that doesn’t mean it influenced my decision (on a new development project) in any way!”
Self-absorption is the sad state of politics today. A sibling culture has taken hold. “It’s All About Me!” is appearing on t-shirts.
California is the mother of the real estate game and it is no surprise that those finding their way into power positions in politics here are realtors, attorneys and developers. All dreaming of a scenario that resembles a micro-Southern California. Don’t stop until every inch of available land is developed.
In actuality, less is more and might explain why Americans are flocking to the remote, rural areas such as Mammoth Lakes. Areas that are appreciating today are not the overcrowded, overdeveloped cities.
Instead of dumping money into the arts, culture and environment of this community, the master plan is starting to resemble a Disney-esque theme park. Let’s call it Urbanland. Or how about L.A. North? And what happens to the little guy throughout this process? I think everyone knows that answer.
The very survival of today’s politicians depends not on a pureness of heart, nor a commitment to do good work, but on money. And that money is dirty. It is becoming difficult to rid the people of the prostitutes who have converted their government into a brothel for developers and special interests.
We are starting to see telltale evidence of trouble ahead when our elected officials are having public meltdowns and ridiculing their fellow councilmen, insulting their own staff, demonizing the media, County officials, the Park Service, … anyone who does not share their personal vision and impeding their personal agendas. The term Community Service has morphed into something far more sinister for individuals who simply cannot change with the times and accept the reality of the situation: that the party appears to be over.
Time to cut your losses and move on.
Perhaps new laws can come into play that might curtail such unbridled arrogance and the in-your-face schoolyard bullying we are regularly seeing from some of our elected officials in the community.
Laws that make it a felony for any person, firm or corporation to pay any sum or to provide anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any candidate seeking or holding public office, and at the same time, make it a felony for any person seeking or holding public office to accept any money or thing of value from any person or thing whatsoever.
Contributions to political parties would also be outlawed. This might be a good start. But it would take the total involvement of the community to realize this dream and the apathy is growing.
Campaign-finance reform is thwarted at every turn and we cannot expect the whores to close down the whorehouse.
Dennis Kostecki
Mammoth Lakes
“Americans are flocking to rural areas such as Mammoth Lakes?” Read any good Urban Growth reports lately, Dennis? -AG, CW
