Opinion

Over the last two decades, the Lake Tahoe Region has become a national leader in fighting the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that threaten to harm its world-renowned environment and the $5 billion recreation-based economy it supports.

The Lake Tahoe Region is working with other partners throughout the American West to better safeguard waterbodies and improve national invasive species policies. We are also working with the boating industry to help manufacturers design watercraft that are less likely to carry AIS and are easier to inspect and decontaminate.

One million thanks to all of you who made the Bi-State Women's March
Lake Tahoe a huge success. It was a very special event for our community thanks to all the media coverage, the special care provided by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the cooperation of Caltrans, the dynamic organizational committee and more than 530 hardy people who came out to participate during a snowstorm.

It was a sight to behold!

Sincerely,
Vicki Raucci Gonzales

Twenty-five years ago, I finished my graduate work in Oregon and moved to Northern Nevada for a planning position at TRPA. Having spent a large part of my youth hiking and camping at Tahoe and in the Sierra, the move felt like coming home.

Since January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, what do you think of when you hear the term "human trafficking"? If you're like most people, you think of a story like the following true story, where police conduct an operation at a suspected residential brothel and encounter Sally, a 25-year-old citizen of Korea. Sally came to the U.S. having been promised a job as a maid. Instead, she was threatened with violence and forced to work in a brothel until she made $15,000. But the brothel owner retained $10,000, plus additional fees for food and a motel room when she could not work.

Our community needs the temporary shelter that the Warm Room provides – not just for those homeless guests who use it, but for everybody else, too. Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge could tell you why.

This is the fourth time I am able to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to the readers of South Tahoe Now. I took on this news endeavor in the summer of 2013 and have tried to create something that everyone can read and, hopefully, appreciate on a daily basis. I want to share as much as I can about what is happening in South Lake Tahoe and the surrounding communities, and I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for your support and allowing me to continue to share.

To the South Lake Tahoe Community,

With the election over, I am writing to congratulate the new LTUSD Board members, to respond to some of the claims Derek Allister made public in the final days of the election, and to reaffirm my commitment to volunteer my time and talents to this school district into the future.

This November, please vote YES on Proposition 52. Proposition 52, the Medi-Cal Funding and Accountability Act, extends the current partnership between the state and California hospitals to help fund the health care needs of 13 million children, seniors, and low-income families in California.

In the last two years, the number of Med-Cal recipients in South Lake Tahoe has doubled. El Dorado County receives $20,136,379 in federal funding each year and without this money our working families who would not be able to afford health care services.

To the South Lake Tahoe Community,
Thank you for considering me for Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board member. With your support, I will serve the residents of Trustee Area #1. My husband Matt Lucksinger, a South Tahoe native, and I decided to move to the LTUSD in 2014, excited to have our daughters enter school and to be able to participate in this community. School Board service is an extension of that decision.

Dear Voters,

I am writing to endorse Annie Davidson for LTUSD School Board. As coach of my daughter’s soccer team, Annie showed true devotion to her athletes and was an incredible teacher and mentor for the girls she coached. She showed true patience and skill in coaching nine 7-year-old girls. I got to know Annie during this time and was impressed with her enthusiasm for our youth and our community.

My decision to run for the city council was based upon my belief that I have the skills, experience and desire to represent you effectively. If elected I look forward to listening to and working positively with fellow council members, agencies and citizens.

There is a rumor that I am running as a “slate” with another candidate. I respect each and every candidate for their willingness to take on this difficult task. However I am not aligned with any particular candidate. I am running independently based upon my own experience, record, and skills.

According to Tahoe Transportation District at the presentation to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, “‘While the project and its alternatives focus on directing traffic flow around the casino corridor and creating a more walkable and bikeable downtown area, the creation of affordable housing is at the heart of the project,’ said Hasty.”

Student success, teacher support and a district where all students have access to highly qualified teachers and cutting edge curriculum are some of Larry Reilly’s goals if elected School Board representative for LTUSD area 1. Larry believes that given the opportunity, supported by a strategic, goal oriented plan all students can succeed.

Having served under many different school boards in my forty-two years of teaching in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, I know the importance of a dedicated, well-informed group of individuals who work cooperatively for the betterment of all the students and employees of the district.

I support Larry Reilly because he is dedicated to education as evidenced by his thirty-nine years as an outstanding teacher. He is well-informed as to the changing laws and regulations governing education. His years as an athletic coach attest to the fact that he knows the importance of team work.

As a sitting Council Member and Board Member of Lodging Association, I urge voters to vote Yes on Measure P – “P” for Play and Recreation. This would increase hotel taxes by 2% throughout the City. The Lodging Association is supporting this measure because Recreation is our economy; investing in our economy will encourage more visitors and visitors to stay longer, which in turn supports the rest of our local economy.

Measure T is not about the Loop Road. It is about power. If and when there is a Loop Road Plan, there will be components that will need the city’s approval. The two biggies will be accepting the old Hwy 50 as a city street and using eminent domain to tear down many houses. The point here is that the city will be making decisions. Measure T is about who will be making those decisions: A majority of city council, i.e. 3 people, or 9000 voters.

As the election nears I feel compelled to write a quick note expressing my endorsement for Randy Vogelgesang’s reelection to the STUPD Board.

Measure P will be a key initiative on the City of South Lake Tahoe’s Nov. 8 ballot as a tourist-only tax to help rebuild the area’s aging Recreation Center.

Without raising taxes on local residents and businesses, Measure P will bring an estimated extra $2 million a year to support the community. The Lodging Association has voted unanimously to support further recreation in South Lake Tahoe. If passed by a two-thirds vote, Measure P will increase transient occupancy tax by 2 percent to 12 percent.

On November 8, voters in South Lake Tahoe are tasked with selecting not only local and national leadership, but they are also faced with raising taxes. Measure P is on the ballot, but it is very different than other taxes, and let me explain why.

I am a resident and registered voter in Nevada, but I work in Meyers, attended Meyers Elementary, grew up in Christmas Valley, and graduated from South Tahoe High School (STHS). The state line is a blur to me because I view the South Shore as one community. I have two children currently in high school, one at Whittell and one at STHS; I also have another child who graduated from Whittell and is now a college freshman. I believe that a good public education system is the great equalizer in America, and that every child has a right to the best education possible.

Like many communities that are highly-desirable places to vacation and live, Lake Tahoe has affordable housing problems. Two recent studies commissioned by the Tahoe Prosperity Center and Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation clearly illustrate the housing challenges our region faces.

Median home prices of more than $500,000 on the North Shore and nearly $400,000 on the South Shore are simply too high for our region’s low wages, putting the cost of home ownership and even rent out of reach for many working people.

Annie Davidson should be the next LTUSD School Board member from Trustee Area #1.

My name is Brooke Martone- Ballachey. I was born and raised in Christmas Valley and attended elementary school through high school in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. I am now raising two children in our community and am the owner of a small business.

This November the right choice for South Lake Tahoe is Jason Collin! Jason is a thoughtful, collaborative and engaging leader with a responsible and positive vision for our community. It has been my pleasure to witness his leadership skills first hand working on volunteer boards and local events together! Jason is a top notch individual whose common sense, respectful communication style and energy are desperately needed on the City Council.

Jason Drew
South Lake Tahoe

Annie Davidson is the right choice for school board in trustee area #1. Annie came to Tahoe with a strong background in education. Annie understands our educational system. And most importantly, Annie is trustworthy, forthright, and kind.

And while Annie is a very good listener and collaborator, Annie is also intelligent, strong, and determined to do an exceptional job. Annie is one of those people who can come into the room and make everyone feel welcome and help everyone work together effectively.