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June Lake - A Tiger’s Tale? |
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Friday, 04 July 2008 |
By Dean Rosnau
It was the 6th of December, 2007, and I was sitting in the airport in Quito, Ecuador, waiting for my plane home. My daughter and I had been in country for eight days to lay out the foundation for a new home for our orphanage in Latacunga. I always look forward to these trips to the beautiful Andes, but I was yearning for home and the Eastern Sierra that I love.
Herded into the crowded gate area, we found a seat next to a distinguished-looking, silver-haired gentleman. I struck up a conversation whereby he told me he had been touring Ecuador for a month, and was now heading home to Stockholm. I picked his brain about all that is Sweden and after a few minutes, he asked me where I was from. I told him that I live in a small town on the east side of the Sierra in California, figuring that would be descriptive enough. It’s rare that I tell anyone that I am from June Lake, for when I do, I usually have to follow that up with an explanation like, “Near Mammoth Lakes or Yosemite.”
He responded, “I was in that area about 15 years ago. What town are you from?”
“I live in a little place called June Lake,” I replied.
“Oh sure, June Lake,” he said, with a bit of glee in his voice.
I was stunned that he knew of the place, but then his next question just about put me on the floor.
He asked, “Is the Tiger Bar still there?”
A few minutes later we boarded the plane, and I was still in a state of shock. This world-traveling retiree from Sweden had been to my little neck of the woods! But what really bewildered me that day, and still does today, is that with all that June Lake has to offer, and all the things that would stick in one’s memory of the place, the first thing this man remembered was the Tiger Bar.
With no offense to the venerable Tiger, I find it appalling that in the 15 years since that man’s visit, June Lake still has little more to offer. And though some may doubt it, even the Tiger Bar will fall victim to the potential economic disaster that looms on the horizon. In my nearly 20 years here, I’ve watched that horizon grow closer and closer.
June Lake is at a crossroads that will have a huge effect on the entire county. Our largest source of economic stimulus, June Mountain Ski Area, needs a bigger draw to stay in business. The development of the Rodeo Grounds is crucial to keeping not only the ski area but all other local businesses in the black, which will guarantee services to locals and visitors alike.
Our current District 3 Supervisor, Vikki Bauer, has worked with the ski area, the proposed developer, and concerned business and property owners to usher in this new lease on life for a dying town. She will be challenged this Fall in the general election by candidate for supervisor Dorothy Burdette.
Dorothy Burdette represents the June Lake Advocates, a group of mostly second-home owners who have no clue about, or even interest in, the status of June Lake’s dying economy. They see June Lake as their quiet, beautiful little Eden to which they escape to a few times a year, and now that they have their slice of heaven, everyone else needs to stay away. Never mind that local businesses have failed in record numbers and services have dwindled to pitiful levels.
Prior to the June primary, one of Ms. Burdette’s supporters actually attempted to rally support for the candidate by encouraging second-home owners to commit felony perjury and voter fraud. I find it rather telling that Ms. Burdette made no attempt, whether in print or otherwise, to distance herself from this kind of criminal, anti-American behavior. The investigation into this act of fraud continues.
At its inception, the June Lake Advocates came up with the brilliant idea to raise funds for their cause by selling bumper stickers that depict a disgruntled youth urinating on the Intrawest logo. This is something I would expect out of a group of irreverent junior high school anarchists, not from grown men and women who want their voices to be heard. That sticker is proudly displayed on the bumper of Ms. Burdette’s vehicle. This blatant lack of integrity from someone who wishes to represent all of us? I’d sooner eat dirt.
Dorothy Burdette and her advocacy represent the catalyst that will push June Lake to economic ruin. Without the successful development of the Rodeo Grounds, we will lose the June Mountain Ski Area. When that happens, our short summer season will not be able to carry the weight of the area’s financial needs. Businesses will have to close. Without local services, families will be forced to leave. Without a local population, we will lose paramedic services and our dedicated volunteer fire department. We will never see our roads plowed by Caltrans. June Lake will become another Twin Lakes Bridgeport, seeing a token few tourists in the summer, then closing the gate for the winter.
My wife and I are presently in the process of adopting a child from our orphanage in Ecuador. We are hopeful that we will have our daughter, Marina, home for Christmas. Our goal is to bring Marina to a place that is vibrant and full of potential for a little girl who has known only a Third World existence with very little hope for the future.
Should Ms. Burdette and her fellow Advocates be allowed to have their way with our town, the chances of seeing our goals and dreams for Marina become a reality are nil. The loss of jobs and revenue for the entire county would be staggering and June Lake would lose its soul. We cannot afford to let this happen.
Town Square is a timely, issue-oriented guest opinion column. Length limit: 1,000 words. Original ideas receive priority over responses to previous columns. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent policies and opinions of the staff or owners of the Mammoth Times. Reader response is encouraged.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 July 2008 )
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