Opinion

Think about it, in the nine years or so that SnowGlobe has been here it has violated its contract over and over and over. The most recent violation has been SnowGlobe's inability to abide by its current contract to identify an alternative site by June of 2021. Why would you work with someone who constantly doesn't follow through on an agreed to contract? Oh, please don't let them tell you that they didn't have time last year to research locations because of COVID. They had plenty of time because they didn't have to produce an event last year.

On July 15, 2021, Douglas County implemented a revised VHR permit ordinance. Sweeping changes affected approximately 500 to 600 second homeowners in the county and an indeterminate number of bad apple real estate investors running wildcat hotels. “Heads in beds” and occupancy tax revenues support the Tahoe-Reno region. However, this county action is not a balance of Tourism Rules vs. Distressed Residents, but indication of poor local government administration and possible conflict of interest of those enlisted to support enforcement.

I have lived in South Lake Tahoe on both the Nevada and California side for 3.5 years. Prior to this I was in Summit County Colorado, Florida and grew up in Upstate NY. I have A LOT of outdoor knowledge and experience in my life I am 40-years-old). I was a Physical Education teacher for 9 years and have been a lifeguard for 25. I moved here and lived in my 11x7 camper for 2 winters. Ok enough about me I just wanted to establish some merit.

While lifeguarding at South Shore away back in the summer of ’61, I got to experience my first Red, White & Tahoe Blue 4th of July, which, fireworks aside, was no different than any other idyllic Tahoe summer day. How could I guess that half a century later I would be reading the Declaration of Independence on the Village Green at North Shore with a Marine Corps flyover following the words, “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” Va-vaVOOM! It gives me chicken-skin to think of it.

The Tahoe region knows firsthand the consequences of natural disasters. From the Angora Fire in 2007 to the ever-increasing threat of wildfires each year, these consequences are far-reaching. As our region heads into fire season, the dialogues about climate change and natural disasters ripple throughout the community.

The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce supports the effort to hold 4th of July fireworks on the South Shore.

While we were disappointed that the normal “Lights on the Lake” event was canceled again this year, we were excited to hear a group of locals and businesses had already stepped up to put on a smaller fireworks display in the casino corridor on July 4th and we are proud to offer support and money to this effort.

Although Lake Tahoe’s economy has facets—like building trades, health care, education, and a growing number of gig and remote workers, to name a few—the foundation of our region’s $5 billion economy is undeniably tourism. Equally apparent is that visitation is impacting Tahoe’s environment and our communities. To put it plainly, amazing places like this can be “loved to death.” After COVID significantly boosted participation in outdoor recreation last year, national surveys show that more than 60 percent of new participants say they expect to continue their outdoor activities post-pandemic.

In the blur of mixed pandemic news, it can be hard to see that we are making progress and will assuredly come out the other side of this world-altering hardship. Since the first COVID closure and the compounding reports of virus spread almost a year ago, Tahoe communities have been challenged in unprecedented ways. We have come to rely on one another's strengths to tap our own resilience. Now for first time, the vaccine roll out shows us a break in the clouds—a place to fix our gaze.

You may not be aware that someone you know has been a victim, but statistically speaking, it is almost guaranteed. Violence and abuse take many forms, including domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and cyberstalking, and child abuse.

● One in 4 women in the U.S. will experience some form of relationship violence in their lifetime.
● Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
● One in 10 people is stalked.
● Nearly 700,000 children are abused in the U.S each year; however, this data may be inaccurate as many child abuse cases go unreported.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Back in the 1940s, before South Tahoe Public Utility
District existed, sewage flowed directly into beautiful Lake Tahoe. Citizens rallied to sign a petition to form the District and this year marks our 70th anniversary. From a single septic field to an award-winning 7.7 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, with 100% recycled water and biosolids, a lot
has changed over the years.

As we prepare to bid the year of 2020 a fond farewell, we are celebrating Christmas as best we can during these unprecedented and uncertain times.

I could start with all the normal holiday greetings like Merry Christmas, May your holidays sparkle with joy and laughter, or I hope the magic of Christmas fills every corner of your heart and home with joy — now and always, but this year seems like so much more is needed.

It was a great honor to serve as a member of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees for the last four years. As previously reported, I am stepping aside to focus on my career and raising my beautiful baby girl. I said many times while I was on the Board that every family in the District was my family, and every child in the District was my responsibility. Now that I have a child of my own, I think the parents of LTUSD will understand when I say that I need to focus on my own family for the time being.

We are ready for some glad tidings this holiday season. While we look forward to the spirit of generosity and warmth the season brings, many are also hoping the New Year will deliver a meaningful reset. Propelling ourselves forward and out of crisis will require fortitude and drive. The pending vaccine is a bright spot on the horizon, but there are other positive indicators for better days to come.

If those who attended the first Thanksgiving in 1621 happened to time travel and visit the 2020 version, what would they think of our version of the holiday?

That first celebration wasn't called Thanksgiving, they didn't have potatoes or pumpkin pie, but they did have a feeling of gratitude and thankfulness over the three-day celebration after a successful harvest.

Thanksgiving is based on the idea that we should all take time to count our blessings at least once a year and to celebrate it with family and friends.

Stories published on Lake Tahoe News are now free in archival form.

Lake Tahoe News was the preeminent source for news about the greater Lake Tahoe area from 2009-18. When it closed in summer 2018 the site was accessible via a paywall. That has been removed so people may access past stories without paying a fee.

This season of giving is more important than ever, as our community faces complex challenges brought on by the pandemic. To help provide additional financial resources in response to the pandemic, the COVID-19 Response Fund is the beneficiary of the Barton Foundation’s 30th Annual Gala, held virtually this year beginning November 30 through December 11, 2020 at BartonHealth.org/Gala.

I have read a number of candidate statements and articles about their hopes and aspirations for our community. I applaud each candidate that is running for local office; the challenge is getting their messages to voters.

I must say, however, despite all of the objectives that the candidates seek to achieve while in office, they are missing an important point. It is not only what you want to accomplish, but how to do so.

My history of involvement has spanned decades in our community and the positions that I have taken are of public record.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - On Friday, El Dorado County Supervisor Chair Brian Veerkamp broke board protocol by announcing he is invoking Emergency Powers to require El Dorado County to pay for sending Sheriff John D’Agostini to a political “conference” on October 29th which is being held by a select group of state senators in Red Bluff. This action by the Board of Supervisors Chair, who is leaving office at the end of this year,

I want to thank my many, many supporters for their belief in me. Withstanding the constant barrage of incorrect information and innuendo about me printed here (in Letters to the Editor) and in other sources, the repeated vandalism of my signs, the anonymous emails at the recent city council meeting that targeted me and others has been made easier by the constant encouragement I receive from our locals who know that I am the best choice for city council.

Science is a process that can be used to come closer to the truth than mere cheerleading for one's candidate. Science says that I can only use observed, material data to come to a truthful conclusion. So let us see where both presidential candidates have any actual verifiable material evidence for their claims.

Autumn’s reflections have begun and Lake Tahoe’s forests and wildlife are preparing for the winter. While fall is generally a treasured time of year at the lake, a sense of uneasiness hangs in the crisp air as we brace for the next phase of the COVID crisis.

Summer was record breaking on many fronts. Businesses and agencies with major staff and budget shortages were suddenly required to manage the pandemic, following strict protocols. Trash overflowed on our pristine beaches and roadways. Follow that with more than 8,300 wildfires and 4 million acres burned in California alone.

It's a great thing to call for unity. It sounds good and feels good. But for far too long hollow calls for "working together" have become excuses for bulldozing over the needs of the people who live and work here in favor of the needs of the developers, resorts and casinos.

I chose the locals.

I choose to give a voice to those who are marginalized.

And if this seems like I’m causing trouble, then it is, as John Lewis called it, good trouble.

The desperation evident in those in our community, including some other candidates for City Council, who hope to maintain the status quo and deny us the opportunity to evolve is reaching fever pitch. As indicated in the Form 460 I filed as required by the FPPC, I received a campaign contribution of $5,000 from a Nevada resident, a retired businessman with philanthropic leanings. Aside from our one conversation in which we discussed our love of Tahoe, some local nonprofit organizations we'd both supported, and our love for our own daughters, I've never spoken with him.

At this point in time, the intersection between equity and climate change has never been clearer. The Sunrise Movement is a national youth climate group that is seeking a future that’s not only sustainable, but also just. With only 11 years left to transform our economy away from fossil fuels to avoid the worst effects of climate change, we need to elect officials now who will defend our future. The remedies for unsustainable practices must work for everyone in this city. That’s why we’re endorsing John Friedrich and Scott Robbins for the city council of South Lake Tahoe.