In response to Why Aren’t Local Politics Standing Room Only? in the November print edition.
Don’t Forget About Zoom Attendees
While reading the article written by Alex Hoeft, there were a couple of things left out. Many Truckee community members show up via Zoom on issues related to the town. Personally, Mike and I spent a lot of time listening to our town officials running for office. The future of the Town of Truckee is so important to us, and we need good leaders. We have attended all Town of Truckee Zoom meetings and watched Town Hall meetings on CCTV. I have reached out to Town Council with comments and concerns.
So many issues, so much information. The Town Council has faced so may hard decisions in the last 25 years. But we have done well as far as firing two CEOs that did not have our community hospital, our doctors, and our patients first on the list. We stopped the development in Glenshire.
There have been disappointments. Old Greenwood project did not build affordable housing as promised. The community came out and spoke against this project. The town allowed Greenwood to buy out of its obligation for affordable housing. The Railyard project was a swing and a miss. Many community members feel the sting of that promised project every time they drive by.
Just wanted to let you know that many, many community members are involved via Zoom and we love this little railroad town that the whole world seems to want a piece of.
~ Ronni Talmadge, Truckee, via email
In response to Can Crystal Bay Shine Once Again? in the November print edition.
Remember Larry Ellison?
Let’s reminisce on Larry Ellison, the billionaire [who owned the Cal Neva from 2018 to 2023] who did nothing here, who owns Lanai, one of the big islands in Hawaii. Think about that. One guy. Nice system we got going on.
~ Brook Inglehart, Kings Beach, via Facebook
In response to Placer County Board of Supervisors Approves Palisades Tahoe Development published online Nov. 20.
What About the Construction Workers?
In all the meetings I have attended over time on this topic, one question I have never heard asked, or addressed, in Alterra’s presentations is: What about the construction workers and contractors in general? Once bids have gone out on this development, slated to take 25 years to build out, where are all the construction workers and contractors coming from? Will they be expected to make their daily trips to the site from Reno, Auburn, Sacramento? Are those trips figured into the VMT accounts? Will they be housed on-site in trailers? I guess we will soon see.
~ Sarah Lowis, Tahoe City, via email
In response to Palisades Village Development: Lessons from the Past and Hopes for the Future published online Nov. 17.
Vail Is Not a Good Example
Oh my God, she can’t possibly believe this. “Vail has become a viable mountain village that embraces local needs and values as much as those of visitors. It’s not all ski shops and restaurants. There are bookstores, art galleries, and handcraft shops.” They put their own employees in shipping containers and called it employee housing. They literally voted on an affordable housing subsidy because doctors can’t afford to live there. Hey, Moonshine, enough with the detached rich people already. Privilege doesn’t need a champion.
~ Kevin Bazar via Facebook
In response to Preserving Slow-User Trails and a Piece of Sierra History in the October print edition.
Mountain Biking Is More Equitable
“Mountain Community Economy Is Saved by Mountain Biking” read headlines coast-to-coast in covering struggling mountain towns. Not sure equestrian sports can hold a candle to that. I am a lifelong equestrian and horse lover realizing that equestrian sports are inaccessible and mostly outlandish, whereas mountain biking is a thriving, socioeconomic activity for all, albeit still with its own inaccessibilities.
~ Brooke Summers Hume, Truckee, via Facebook
Equestrian Complaints
Why is it always the equestrian groups that have issues with other user groups on multi-use trail systems? The new trail in question is right in the middle of many other multi-use trails that are heavily used by mountain bikes and have been for years. I’ve been mountain biking that area for over a decade and the only time I’ve noticed an increase in users is when other trails in the area are shut down due to logging or fire danger restrictions.
~ Justin Stout, Truckee, via Facebook
