Readers Reflect
Submit letters to editors@moonshineink.com
In response to the May 2022 edition
Color for Spring
I loved the color in the last issue! It seemed perfect for spring and to lift spirits.
~ Michael Murphy, Truckee, letter
In response to Bustle About the Ballot Box
Lies From the Left
I enjoyed and agree with your article about journalistic integrity about the ski resort [story], and that was not right for other publications to not give you credit. But Alex Hoeft’s article shows your usual leftist bias, which is why I usually do not pick up your publication (although you cover a lot of good things going on). Alex starts out leading people to believe there was no fraud, but most people who have open minds have seen fraud of unimaginable proportions right in front of their eyes, with the Dominion machines, people getting to the polls to find out they had already voted, dead people voting, etc. No matching signatures. Envelopes with signatures separated, missing. The left has bought off many judges who will continue rulings that most know ahead of time will be against the truth. With the 2000 Mules movie, more and more people are seeing the truth (I urge you to use this link and watch it: bit.ly/3LMe0bD). The trouble is, most leftists will not search out the truth, probably will not see it.
~ Jane Barnhart, Incline Village, letter
Editor’s note: Dominion Voting Systems has filed defamation lawsuits against multiple conservative television networks and individuals for claiming the voting machine company rigged its machines during the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
The cases are ongoing.
In response to A Shooting Star in the Sierra
Plane Remains
Thanks for the fascinating story and sad lesson that fake news could do just as much damage in the ‘50s as it does now. Thirty-five years ago I was hiking from Carson Pass to Echo Summit and went off trail a little bit from Showers Lake. There, in the thick timber, were the pieces of a downed aircraft. I don’t remember much more, but being young and stoned I didn’t report it, let alone record the tail number. I hope the pilot survived somehow.
~ David Fenimore, Reno, letter
In response to In Other Words …
Moonshine IS Tahoe Media
Juliana Demarest’s recent piece in Moonshine Ink on the breaking of the Homewood privatization, written by Melissa Siig, is right on.
I too was extremely annoyed at seeing the story in other media with vague (“as reported in Tahoe media”) or zero attribution to Moonshine Ink. I found myself speaking aloud as I read the non-credited, re-published articles saying, “Hey, that was Moonshine’s story!”
In the decade plus since its inception, MI has always been at the forefront of in-depth, investigative reporting on subjects vital to our community. In my 46-year residence here, I have seen no other local or regional media that has dedicated the time or had the skill and integrity to shine a light on so many issues that have serious effects on all of us here in the Tahoe/Truckee community.
Having been an investigative broadcast journalist in the New York metro area during the Vietnam and Civil Rights eras, I am acutely aware of the challenges and obstacles presented when doing deep dives into often-controversial topics. Delving into government or corporate affairs too often is met with tight lips or confidentiality responses. These are tough eggs to crack.
Over the years, the talented staff at MI, including Melissa Siig, Laura Read, Alex Hoeft, David Bunker, and so many other professional journalists have uncovered and reported on subjects untouched by other area news publications.
We are indeed fortunate to have a publication of this quality and high standards here in our community. Moonshine Ink deserves our appreciation, our praise, and our support.
~ Ed Miller, Tahoma, letter
In response to news brief titled Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Summit Comes to North Lake Tahoe
Let the Lake Win
The people have spoken and we are listening!
After attending the first four destination stewardship public workshops, it was very clear the number one stewardship goal for Tahoe’s residents is … lake preservation (a shared vision)!
If you have lived here a while you know this is not the first such attempt. Other well-meaning efforts to create a community-influenced destination and prosperity-for-all sustainability plan begin with public discussions on what we want and how we like our tourists, and end with a report of helpful suggestions.
There has been some stewardship-focused adoption recently on Tahoe’s visitor sites, and the support of microtransit with Transient Occupancy Tax funds is great. However, deeper, long-standing challenges keep destination marketing organizations from fully promoting a visitor menu of activities conducive to protecting the lake. The increase in short-term rental lodging without an onsite host (like a hotel without a manager) compounds the pressures of how the mix of public and private interests surrounding the lake and controlling access and activities to this national treasure have different goals.
Yet the lake has a wealth of local stewards and stewardship guidelines:
- Tahoe-Truckee locals living green every day
- Nonprofits whose stewardship helps sustain or enhance the watershed
- Sixty years of lake science
- Washoe people who for 10,000 years left no trace
- Sustain Tahoe’s collaborative solutions and responsible travel demonstrations
- The nine federally mandated thresholds
All demonstrating lead-by-example actions and clarity instructions that can define which visitor activities are acceptable in the Basin, and which are not.
It might be helpful to enroll some of these local groups along with a boots-on-the-ground stewardship team to co-create and implement a viable stewardship plan at the start of this Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan effort. Once trained, ensure this team is supported and paid, especially since our experts will be leaving at the end of their contract. Federal and state funding is available to help manage a stewardship plan that follows mandates for a national treasure.
Let the games begin and this time let’s ensure the lake wins!
~ Jacquie Chandler, Incline Village, letter
CORRECTION
In the March edition article, Homewood Switches Gears, the percentage decline of skier passholder sales was calculated incorrectly by Moonshine Ink. It should have read 36%.
Also, the reduction in units for the resort’s development plan was reported to Moonshine Ink incorrectly; it should have read 17%. We regret the errors. The story has been updated online.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
“Dogs Are our Link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace”
~ Milan Kundera
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