Archive - Oct 2012 - Opinion

Vote Yes on Prop. 34

October 26, 2012

According to the impartial analysis of Prop. 34 and potential costs to taxpayers prepared by Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor in the Official Voter information Guide, “since the death penalty law was enacted in California in 1978, around 900 individuals have received a death sentence.

“Of these, 14 have been executed, 83 have died prior to being executed and about 75 have had their sentences reduced by the courts. As of July 2012, California had 725 offenders in state prison who were sentenced to death.”

A response to Mr. Harris about Mammoth Police Department

October 26, 2012

I would like to respond to some of the comments made by Jean Harris in his letter that was published in the Oct. 19 issue of the Mammoth Times.

Mr. Harris believes that the Police Department is “bloated” and that crime will not increase if the department loses 46 percent of its officers.

A bend in the road

October 26, 2012

We haven’t had a lot of rah-rah moments around here lately, so two of them, within a week’s span, were particularly noteworthy.

The first one was a rah-rah for the snow. We couldn’t help feeling a little extra bounce in our feet on Monday morning, right through the whatever-it-was snow shower on Wednesday. It looks like winter is here to stay.

Regarding proposal to reduce police expenses in Mammoth

October 19, 2012

Please consider the probable effect on tourism when the first article appears in the L.A. Times reporting a mugging or gang shooting in Mammoth Lakes.

It will immediately undo years of promotional advertising.  

Who wants to take the kids to a “Family Resort” with drug deals going down in the Vons parking lot?

If the town skimps on public safety, all the money spent on promotion, recreation, airline subsidies, transit, and public art won’t save us.

The judgment is the Town of Mammoth’s fault, period

October 19, 2012

As a concerned individual, who has actually read the court opinion, I found it very difficult to read the Oct 5 issue of the Mammoth Times. 

Rather than accept the facts revealed in the court opinion, showing corruption and mismanagement of the Town of Mammoth Lakes, the issue was replete with finger pointing and artificial conclusion.

One councilmember, seriously suffering from self denial, even attempted to blame the judgment on North Mono County.

Prop. 30 is an important issue

October 19, 2012

Proposition 30 on the November ballot is a very important issue regarding school funding.

As your Inyo and Mono County Superintendents of Schools, we believe it is our obligation to inform the electorate of matters that directly affect our local schools.

Furthermore, we know that you are looking for factual, nonbiased data to make an informed decision at the ballot box.

The Snow Dance

October 19, 2012

Not long ago, we got a phone call from a radio station in Los Angeles, asking if the town’s fiscal situation will help, hamper, or change the skier experience in Mammoth this season.

We said no—nothing will change as long as people do a proper snow dance right about now.

One of them goes off tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. at The Village. The people at the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation are throwing a bonfire party and ski burn as a sacrifice to Ullr. If you have to ask who the heck Ullr is, you’re in the wrong town.

What we really need is less town government

October 12, 2012

As a business owner and resident of Mammoth Lakes, I am angry—angry that once again the Town of Mammoth Lakes appears to be taking out its shortcomings on its residents and police.  

All we heard about last time there was a budget shortfall was what would be “fair.” Apparently fair was cutting 10 percent from every department.

Forget for a moment that fair should never have been a consideration.  You know what would be fair? Making the over-staffed entity responsible for the current financial mess take the cuts.

Dear Mayor Lehman and Members of the Council,

October 12, 2012

I am writing in regard to the proposed use of voter-approved funds in conjunction with the current fiscal difficulties of the town and the settlement of the MLLA judgment.

Following the intent of the voters in passing the various measures has been a core principle of the council since 1986. This appears no longer to be true based upon the adoption of the FY 2012-13 budget and the Baseline Before Settlement Expenditures distributed as a part of the package presented to the public on Sept. 27.

Open letter to the citizens of Mammoth Lakes

October 12, 2012

When I was a child in San Diego, my parents would always take me shopping. Whether it was to the grocery store or one of the two new shopping malls, I would have to tag along and most of the time, I was bored out of my mind.

When my eye would catch a glimpse of an item of merchandise that interested me, invariably I would reach out to grasp the object. I remember my mom or dad telling me not to touch it; that if I broke it they would have to pay for it.

A letter from the Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association

October 12, 2012

The Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association (MLPOA) would like to thank the residents, business owners, visitors, and part-time residents of Mammoth Lakes who have been supportive of us for the past 26 years.

We would also like to express our sincere thank you for your support over the past couple of weeks during these trying times.

Something will have to give

October 12, 2012

Two millions dollars a year for 23 years in a town of barely 8,000 people is going to cause inevitable heartache.

Don’t expect to be happy—regardless of the outcome.

The first round of potential cuts drafted by the Town of Mammoth Lakes and presented at the Sept. 27 Town Council meeting caused an explosion of emotions across town.

The most drastic of the proposed cuts is the elimination of seven sworn officers from the Mammoth Lakes Police Department.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month

October 5, 2012

Why do they stay?

By Susi Bains

For the Mammoth Times

When the going gets tough, the tough can’t always leave. Thus the question: Why doesn’t she just leave?

Thank you to local businesses and organizations

October 5, 2012

On behalf of the many community volunteers who donate their time and expertise each year to ensure the continuing success of the Sierra Summer Festival in Mammoth Lakes, I want to express our heartfelt appreciation and thanks for your donation of your gifts to the silent auction in support of the Sierra Summer Festival 2012. 

The following businesses are Ben and Jerry’s and Lingerie Lounge in the Village, Aveda In Touch Spa near Schat’s and Patti Millison of Hang on Massage and Yoga in Bishop.

Team Shinsetsu Ten sends its thanks

October 5, 2012

Team Shinsetsu Ten would like to thank everyone with a big bow who believed and still supports us.

On Oct. 13, TS10 is traveling to Murrieta, Calif., to represent Mammoth Lakes, fighting in Grappling X’s prestigious Pankration Tournament.  Pankration is the oldest form of mixed martial arts.