Gustafson Has an Unwavering Work Ethic
Gustafson Has an Unwavering Work EthicI am concerned about the ugly efforts to unseat “Super Cindy” over the last two years. My collaboration with Supervisor Gustafson began the day she was appointed by Supervisor Jim Holmes to fill a Placer County Supervisor vacancy. We worked together to support the Gathering Inn and develop it to what it is today. This is a critical asset to Placer County in general and Auburn City specifically. She has prevailed through continuing terrible rumors, innuendos, and the destruction of her campaign signs. The ongoing efforts of the Wayne Nader organization to replace Cindy is not healthy and is an embarrassment to Placer County and to our wonderful city.
I encounter Supervisor Cindy every Tuesday at the 0700 hours Meddlers meeting in city hall, where her punctuality, consistent attendance, and omnipresence attest to her unwavering work ethic. Even during adverse weather, she deploys from Truckee to Auburn ahead of the storm, exemplifying an extraordinary commitment to her responsibilities.
Please join me in full support for Cindy Gustafson to continue her unwavering and incredible effort to advance the issues and interests as a Placer County Supervisor.
~ Thomas A. Dwelle, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Ret), Auburn
CATT Endorsements
The Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe Political Action Committee (CATTPAC) proudly announces its endorsements for candidates in the upcoming November 2024 election. Recognizing the importance of strong leadership in our community, CATTPAC has selected candidates who demonstrate a commitment to policies that benefit the construction and contracting industry. We endorse the following candidates:
- Nevada County Board of Supervisors, District 5: Hardy Bullock
- Placer County Board of Supervisors, District 5: Cindy Gustafson
- Truckee Donner Public Utility District: Jeff Bender, Dow Costa, Barney Dewey, Steve Randall
- Town of Truckee Town Council: Courtney Henderson, Lindsay Romack
- Truckee Fire Protection District: Gerald Herrick
- Truckee-Tahoe Unified School District: Christina Hennessy
~ CATTPAC, Truckee
You Can Trust Wayne Nader
Wayne Nader’s campaign for Placer County Supervisor District 5 is self-funded with a strong grassroots group of volunteers contributing. Wayne and his wife are contributing their own money to serve Placer County. I commend and support that approach because it shows a willingness to do what is best for us, the people of Placer County, not outsiders. In contrast, the incumbent’s campaign is a who’s who of development companies, lobbyists, real estate speculators. and special interest groups. The most egregious, in my opinion, is the contributions from JMA Ventures who, along with Discovery Land Company, is trying to turn Homewood Mountain Resort into a members-only, private resort for the ultra-rich. That current project before the board of supervisors would destroy the West Shore of Tahoe. The local community is fully against the project and fighting hard to preserve the West Shore.
I am also greatly concerned for Auburn and Bowman, which have been plagued with rezoning for high density development projects. Colfax could be next in line for harmful rezoning proposals. Wayne is committed to preserving the heritage of our communities, and not to placating the desires of major development corporations who want to destroy the rural character of our communities. He will work with other elected officials to fight for what is right. Wayne believes in honesty, integrity, and accountability. We want someone we can trust, and that is Wayne Nader!
~ Rosanne McHenry, Auburn
David Diamond Works to Reduce Wildfire
David Diamond works hard to represent our community. He understands the potential value the airport district can provide our region, and he never misses an opportunity to realize that potential. A recent example is the $2 million in airport tax revenue David got dedicated to create a wildfire mitigation partnership between the fire departments in Truckee and North Tahoe.
Please join me in voting to reelect David Diamond to the Truckee Tahoe Airport District in November.
~ Stefanie Olivieri, Truckee
We Support Bert Clement for ASCWD
We are both homeowners in River Run Condos, which is part of the Alpine Meadows Firewise Community. As members of our HOA, we have worked closely with Bert Clement, who has helped lead our community in a variety of positions on our board. For many years, we have all been involved in efforts to reduce our fire risk and have participated in making Alpine Meadows a Firewise community. The Alpine Springs County Water District controls the firehouse and related staffing in coordination with the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.
With two seats available on the ASCWD in the upcoming election, we believe Bert’s background as a CPA, public company CFO, and most currently CEO of a software company uniquely qualifies him to drive change at the water district for all Alpine Meadows residents. We have recently experienced massively increased rates for water, and the water district taking our trash service over as a middleman has increased our cost through new administrative fees. Further, over the years the district has not reserved for replacement costs of their system and currently expect rate payers to bear the cost. Change is needed and we believe Bert can positively impact the future of the water district.
~ Steve Hoch, River Run HOA president; Michael Cadra, River Run Defensible Space Committee chair, Alpine Meadows
I Am Running for ASCWD Board
I’m Albert “Bert” Clement and I’m running for the Alpine Meadows County Water District Board. My wife and I have been full-time residents in Alpine Meadows for 5 years and we’ve owned our home here since 2008. I believe that we need more local community involvement to guide our public services. My background as a CPA, CFO, and CEO provides the experience to oversee our water district and provide the parameters for community accountability and improved effectiveness. Further, we have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure maximum fire department coverage in Alpine Meadows. Wildfires will be a constant threat while insurance costs escalate and coverage is reduced.
Our community is faced with escalating costs for all utilities, defensible space, insurance, and taxes that are much higher than general inflation. As we pay more, we need to ensure quality and levels of service do not deteriorate further and that we foresee future needs and replacement costs realistically. We also need to minimize the ongoing cost structure so that the community is not subject to endless rate increases over time. I also believe long-term strategic planning for future replacement costs needs to be planned, modeled, and reviewed with financing options set forth to the community soon.
My wife, Diane, and I have three grown children, two of whom live in San Francisco and one here in Alpine with his wife. I currently run a software company based in San Diego.
~ Bert Clement, Alpine Meadows
We Need Pilots Like Birch Entriken on the Airport Board
Whether you are pro- or anti-airport, I urge you to join me in voting for Birch Entriken for the Truckee Tahoe Airport Board. Birch has lived in North Tahoe for 49 years. He has invested his entire career in aviation, retiring as a Southwest Airlines captain after four decades of flying.
Having a board member with professional aviation experience is a helpful, if not essential, perspective on an airport board. This is especially true in Truckee, one of the most challenging airports in the U.S. because of high altitude, mountainous terrain, and diverse traffic types. None of the other board candidates have experience managing complex aircraft in adverse weather, or in understanding the nuances of professional aviation operations. Adding a TTAD board member with Birch’s level of expertise is a rare opportunity.
Truckee has experienced a shift in traffic type away from smaller, owner-flown piston aircraft to heavier aircraft flown under charter or fleet operations, piloted by professional crews often unfamiliar with Truckee. Developing policies to manage this influx requires an understanding of the economics, behaviors, and incentives of these commercial operators. From the outside perspective they may all be pilots, but there is little overlap between recreational piston operators and pro-flown aircraft whose clients are sitting in back.
While Birch is a career aviator, familiar with this pro-flown world, he is community-minded and not in favor of increasing heavy aircraft or jet operations in Truckee. To get the behaviors we want — addressing issues like noise and safety — requires a nuanced understanding of this type of airport user as well as the FAA requirements that limit the tools available to mitigate impact.
In short, to solve a problem, you need to understand it first.
~ Jamie McJunkin, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum vice chairman, Truckee
Why Tahoe Needs Cindy Gustafson Now More Than Ever
As we approach the final vote, Cindy Gustafson’s leadership for District 5 is more crucial than ever. Cindy’s ability to bridge divergent perspectives and advocate for North Lake Tahoe sets her apart as the clear choice. Her tenure as supervisor has been transformative, particularly for Tahoe’s complex needs.
Having worked as county staff during both Jennifer Montgomery’s and Cindy Gustafson’s tenures, I witnessed firsthand the differences in how Tahoe was represented. Jennifer brought deep knowledge and passion for our community but often struggled to gain the necessary support from her fellow board members, leaving Tahoe underrepresented. Cindy, appointed in 2019, approached this challenge differently, working to build relationships across political divides, understanding that effective leadership requires collaboration.
Under Cindy’s leadership, Tahoe saw significant progress. Within months of her appointment, she advanced a short-term rental ordinance and established a hotline for complaints. She also ensured resources were allocated for enforcement. Her focus on inclusivity and collaboration improved Tahoe’s standing within Placer County governance, ensuring our needs were addressed.
As District 5 expands to include more of Auburn, Cindy’s ability to navigate the evolving needs of both Tahoe and western Placer County has become indispensable. Her leadership ensures Tahoe’s voice is heard and protected in county decisions. In a time of growing divisions, Cindy’s role as a bridge builder — uniting communities and fostering dialogue — is essential.
Cindy Gustafson’s reelection is vital for ensuring continued progress and representation for Tahoe. Her proven ability to lead with empathy and pragmatism makes her the leader we need for the challenges ahead.
~ Erin Casey, Truckee
