Archive - 2013 - Opinion

Comments on the Mammoth Trails website

March 19, 2013

I have two comments on last week’s article titled “Mammoth Trails website springs to life.”

The Mammoth Lakes Trails System Coordinating Committee June 28, 2012, minutes note the total cost of the trails website as “approximately $225,000.”

Measure R funds and Town General Funds were the major contributor, along with some private funds. 

That amount, plus the approximately $30,000 budgeted for first year maintenance totals more than one quarter of a million dollars.    

A bighorn sheep thank you

March 13, 2013

The fundraiser gala “500 and Rising” was a terrific success, sharing with over 150 guests the remarkable story of the wild sheep in our backyard.

On behalf of the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Foundation I would like to thank the friends from near and far who came to show their enthusiasm for Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, as well as the many people who worked hard to bring about this event.

Rich Boccia

March 13, 2013

We’re sorry to see Rich Boccia go.

No we’re not.

Yes we are.

Boccia’s sudden resignation as superintendent of the Mammoth Unified School District, effective March 1, elicited similar responses all around town and, presumably, in the cloistered halls of the high school, middle school, and elementary school.

He was a smart, brash, in-your-face Italian American, and Mammoth has never seen anyone quite like him.

The price of “go fish”

March 6, 2013

It’s all about money. The local and out of town trout fishermen bring in a lot of revenue to the county, and in the process, get to relax and enjoy life.

But, there is a steep price to pay for their enjoyment.  

First of all, there is a definite opposition from the fish and wildlife biologists to trout rearing and planting.

Their philosophy is that such practices disrupt the natural balance of nature and causes big problems for the eco-system. 

As a local, I feel ripped off

March 6, 2013

Kudos to Michael Raimondo and Matt Lehman for being the only responsible council members who voted to impose the penalties and interest in regards to a home being illegally rented out nightly. 

As a local, I feel ripped off. 

For the other council members who voted to allow the owners Kevin and Carolynn Cozen to not have to pay on the penalties and interest, when they fully knew and basically admitted they were renting their home illegally, should resign.

We want an explanation!

March 6, 2013

The TOT remitting, fine, and late-fee paying members of the Mammoth Lakes Lodging Association want an explanation! 

At last Wednesday’s Town Council meeting, you heard the first of what will no doubt be many appeals from homeowners who have been renting their single family home out illegally.

Yosemite

March 6, 2013

Amid the debate over the proposed Tuolumne River and Merced River Plans in Yosemite National Park, two questions remain unanswered.

In years of development and tourism in Yosemite Valley, what have we lost? And what have we gained?

Yosemite Valley has a long history of one set of people evicting others in an ongoing exercise in how best to utilize the spectacular, one-of-a-kind glacial valley.

What was the true purpose of the Snow Pack promotion?

February 22, 2013

I am writing about the Alaska Airlines Snow Pack, which was heavily advertised late last year as discount airline tickets available between LAX and Mammoth Lakes.

My boyfriend John and I were both quite excited about his being able to fly to Mammoth many weekends this winter and to enjoy all that Mammoth has to offer, and we bought each other a 10-flight snow pack for $570 for Christmas.

Pushovers

February 22, 2013

The Mammoth Lakes Town Council talks a good game when it comes to making good on transient occupancy taxes.

But when push comes to shove, the majority of the council showed this past week that it can roll over like so many submissive puppies.

Faced with its first high-profile, public TOT case, council members Rick Wood, Jo Bacon, and John Eastman voted to let property owners Kevin and Carolynn Cozen get away with no penalties or fines for illegally renting their single-family home on Hillside Drive.

Rotary Winterfest Celebration round up

February 15, 2013

To all of the wonderful people of our community who have supported us for the last 33 years: a large and gracious thanks!

Many of you atteneded the Noon Rotary fundraiser event last Saturday night, and we were very happy to see you.

We were stunned by the invitation to accept the first “Service Above Self” Rotarian award, but are very honored to accept it.

The little town that could

February 15, 2013

Two weekends ago, the community of June Lake proved that it is the Little Town that Could. 

Faced with an economically challenging winter, the June Lake Revitalization Committee set off to develop some animation-generating events and activities.  These have required collaboration and cooperation from many community members. The June Lake Winter Festival and Triple Threat Triathlon, held Feb. 1 to 3, really proved how great things can happen if we all work together. 

Go Fish

February 15, 2013

The kiss of death for any resort community is doing the same thing all the competitors are doing.

The kiss of success is finding the one thing that people want, or the two or the three things, that no other resort, anywhere, can do.

In Mono County’s case, that one thing is not Mammoth Mountain Ski Area—other resorts have big mountains, too.

It’s not our great scenery—others have that, too.

It’s Alpers trout.

Great, big, fat Alpers trout.

Thank you from Wild Iris

February 8, 2013

Wild Iris would like to say thank you to the communities of Inyo and Mono counties for your generosity and support.

Whether you’ve been a long-time supporter, or you’re relatively new to the Wild Iris family, your monetary gifts, as well as those of time and talent, have made a tremendous difference in the lives of those we serve.

NRA only interested in profit

February 8, 2013

As a boy scout in the early 60s, I learned gun safety and how operate a single shot .22 rifle—promoted by the National Rifle Association. 

At that time, the NRA was owned and operated by law abiding gun owners who understood what was appropriate for ownership and use.

Today there are only 12 million of those members so it is important to ask how the NRA has $200 million to lobby against laws that might influence the availability of guns. 

That money comes from the manufacturers. 

An idea for June Lake

February 8, 2013

June Lake’s Winter Festival and Triple Threat Winter Triathlon event was a great example of a community coming together and being proactive in response to the loss of its biggest business booster.

When Mammoth Mountain Ski Area announced (unexpectedly) its decision to close June Mountain Ski Area for the 2012-13 season, we imagined every June Lake citizen’s hearts dropped to the bottom of his or her stomach. Ours did.