Utility Users tax on ballot to fund
specific projects

By Catherine Billey
Mammoth Times Staff Writer

If voters approve an extension of the Utility Users Tax this June, the current 2.5 percent assessment on electric, propane and telephone bills will remain the same, but revenue will go toward special local purpose, such as the Whitmore Track, a roof on the community ice rink, and trails and recreation, rather than to the general fund.
A group of local opinion leaders recommended that town council vote to put the proposed ordinance on the ballot as Measure U at a final public hearing on the matter on March 10. The group’ included John Wentworth  of MLTPA, Rusty Gregory of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (the largest payor of the local tax), Elaine Smith (High Sierra Striders), Teri Stehlik (Lodging Association) and others.
No one spoke in opposition to the proposed tax ordinance. “I think it’s a good idea,” said Wentworth, who gained widespread local respect following his successful efforts in getting Measure R on the 2008 ballot.
Council unanimously voted to put Measure U on the ballot as a special tax for the purposes of planning, construction, operation, maintenance, programming and administration of facilities and projects for trails and recreation, mobility, and the arts.
Mayor Neil McCarroll said he initially had “bristled” at the idea of a special tax before realizing that the point in the broader picture is that the State of California has relinquished its role in governing and supporting the people.
“So now municipalities are choosing to take care of themselves,” he said. “It’s an exercise in the most basic form of government: local control. That’s the theme with all these special taxes.”
 

Voters must approve Measure U by at least two thirds. If it passes, the Tourism and Recreation Commission will designate allocations of funds and oversee a mandatory annual audit by an independent auditor.
Councilman Eastman had previously opposed an extension of the utility tax because he is generally opposed to tax increases. But he said at the March 10 hearing that he supports the substantial segment of the community in favor of a special tax that goes towards capital improvements and recreation.
Citing his own respect for the Deena and Andrew Kastor (who are spearheading the Whitmore Track effort) and Wentworth, Eastman said he knows they have vast community support. “And we would be remiss if we didn’t remember Dave McCoy on this proposal.”

The long, winding ‘Old Mammoth’ road
finally makes its way to Town Council

By Catherine Billey
Mammoth Times Staff Writer

When Sally Gessford, a vocal  opponent of previous Old Mammoth Place development proposals, stood before the Planning Commission at the public hearing on March 10 and said: “I am not neutral: I approve the project,” it was a significant turning point in the project’s turbulent five-year history.
“The motive behind this new project embraces the community,” said Gessford, owner of a condo at nearby Timberline whose views of the White Mountains will eventually be affected. “I am awed by the amount of work the commission is putting in.”
While skeptical at first, she said she now believes owner James Demetriades – who has revitalized the existing hotel and opened a popular new restaurant on his 6.1-acre site on Old Mammoth Road –  “will do the right thing.”
At what Commissioner Elizabeth Tenney noted was the 55th public meeting on the Clearwater/Old Mammoth Place application since it first came forward in 2005, the commission was asked by town development staff to evaluate the consistency of the Clearwater Specific Plan, design review, height adjustments, the use permit, the vesting tentative tract map, and the district zoning amendment for the mixed-use development that could include up to 488 lodging rooms, 19,500 square feet of retail and 17,000 square feet of restaurant space, public events plazas, and subterranean parking.
After nearly 10 hours of combined public hearing and commission deliberation that primarily focused on height,  grading, workforce housing  and water concerns, the commission voted 4-1 (with Sharon Clark dissenting) in favor of the six required actions that will enact the Old Mammoth Place project.
It now goes to town council for review on April 7.
Old Mammoth Place has particular significance because if council approves the project, it will be the first out of the gate since the Community Benefits and Incentive Zoning and People At One Time policies were adopted to implement the 2007 General Plan.
“The project isn’t just okay – it’s excellent,” Tenney said. She was enthusiastic about 9,500 feet of proposed conference space. “And I think we really have addressed recreation, because it’s the center of town. We’re showing people how to connect.”
A new connector road through the project is one of the community benefits provided by the project.
Clark said it was difficult for her to vote, because she did support some aspects of the project. “But I will have to vote no,” she said, basing that decision on concerns about height, water resources, and workforce housing.
Commissioner Jay Deinken said the water issues will be worked out.
“Overall the project has come a long way from the start, it’s an excellent project, I’m excited about the possibility of the amenities that they’re providing for the community,” he said. “One particular thing I’m really excited about is the commitment to pursue some geothermal resources.”
Vice Chair Tony Barrett elaborated on the employment opportunities such a development could bring to Mammoth. “Even in this economy, to bring 370 new jobs to this community – that’s approximately half of what the Mountain does,” he said. “This project will be a top employer for our community for years to come. To be revitalized for our families is an incredible thing. It’s what we need to keep our quality of life.”
He turned to Demetriades, sitting in the front row of the audience, directly. “It’s also on your shoulders, Jim. You are here, you’ve been doing a lot, and I’m taking you at value that you’re going to do what you say.”
Many agree that Demetriades will set the tone for future developers in Mammoth. “You have set the bar,” Barrett continued. “If you fail us, you fail the future of our town. But I don’t think you’re going to do that ... You’ve brought us together, and I thank you for that.”
Chair Rhonda Duggan concluded commission input with emphasis on the importance of the project to the hospitality industry here. “It’s all about hot beds. “This is the type of project that they’re looking for.”
Duggan applauded project architect John Ashworth of BSA in San Francisco for preserving the trees, sidelines and views as much as possible, and affirmed Demetriades’ growing reputation as a good neighbor, open to community input. “I don’t go into many hotels where you have your picture in it .... And that’s important to our community, because we know where to find you,” she quipped.

June 8 election filing deadline extension possible

If incumbents don’t file
by 5 p.m. today, new
candidates get more time

Feb. 16 opened the filing period for pulling candidacy papers for one of the three open seats on the Mammoth Lakes Town Council in the June 8 election.
Five of the eight local citizens who have pulled papers since then have actually filed: local businessman Matthew Lehman on March 8, Planning Commissioner Tony Barrett on March 9, and Kirk Stapp, Rick Wood and incumbent John Eastman on March 11 as of press time.
“There are eight of them,” confirmed town clerk Jamie Gray on Wednesday.
The others are Planning Commissioner Sharon Clark, Chamber of Commerce member Dawn Vereuck, and wildlife sanctuary advocate Allen Blumer.
The registration period could end at 5 p.m. today.
But Gray anticipated it would be extended to March 17 if one of the other incumbents, Wendy Sugimura or Neil McCarroll, do not file.
“All it takes is for one [incumbent] not to file, and the deadline is extended,” Grey explained.
Town manager Rob Clark explained there’s a theory that people are less likely to run against an incumbent. “So if an incumbent chooses not to run, the law provides for additional people to sign up, who might not otherwise run against an incumbent.”
To qualify for candidacy on the June 8 ballot, a nominee must be a registered voter in the Town of Mammoth Lakes, over 18 years of age, and gather between 20 to 30 signatures in support from other registered voters in the community along with a candidate statement. There is no filing fee.
County elections
The deadline for declaring candidacy for all county positions is 5 p.m. March 12, except for the position of Mono County District 1 Supervisor. In that case, should the incumbent Tom Farnetti not file by that deadline, the extension will apply to that race only.
Farnetti has said he will retire and that he does not intend to run again, but the rules do allow him to change his mind right up until the end of today thereby allowing other possible candidates another chance to file.
There are currently two candidates vying for the position; Larry Johnston  and Bill Sauser.
Mono County Sheriff
Mono County Sheriff Rick Scholl has a challenger vying for his seat in the June election after Bridgeport resident Doug Northington pulled nomination papers this week, according to election officials.
Northington was not reached for comment before press time.
Mono Supervisor District 4
The late Bill Reid’s District 4 county supervisor seat now has four candidates vying for it, after Lee Vining resident Tim Hansen joined the race this week.
Hansen was not reached for comment before press time.
The other three candidates for the seat are Tim Fesko, Bobby Tems and Renn Nolan.