In response to Federal Chaos Gravely Impacts Tahoe Funding published online April 8
Volunteer Prescribed Burn Associations Are Needed
It doesn’t have to be this way. This is where they should start allowing volunteer prescribed burn associations to work on public lands too. Bridge the gap. At the moment, the feds only allow us to work on private lands unless we get wildland fire certified. Despite the fact that most PBA members are everyday citizens, such groups often actually have better fire safety records. They also work under close supervision of fire professionals. Plus, there are a number of volunteer trail crews as well. Either way, we can’t just leave the piles there unburned or the trails unmaintained.
~ Kristina Lammers, Reno, via Facebook
In response to March 1 Protest: This Is What Democracy Looks Like in the April print edition
Right to Assemble
We are a republic, not a democracy. She’s lucky we’re not. In a democracy, the majority rules and the majority voted for Trump. But being a republic, each state had their representatives vote and she [Kamala Harris] still lost. Thank God we are a constitutional republic. Since we are, she has the right to assemble and peaceably protest. I’m happy for her that she feels better after exercising her constitutional right. Same goes with anyone who chooses to exercise any of the rest of the Bill of Rights, aka the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
~ Todd Wold via Facebook
About the downtown Truckee protests
Downtown Protests Increase Business
I am writing in support of the peaceful demonstrations taking place in downtown Truckee. As a local business owner, I want to emphasize that our downtown does not belong solely to the merchants — it belongs to the entire community. It’s a shared space, a gathering place, and a reflection of who we are.
Contrary to concerns that these demonstrations disrupt business, I’ve actually seen an increase in foot traffic and engagement on demonstration days. Our team is energized by the sight of our neighbors, families, and community members showing up and standing together for what they believe in. It reminds us that downtown Truckee is alive not just with commerce, but with conscience, connection, and community spirit.
These gatherings have brought a vibrancy to our Saturdays, and we welcome the chance to be part of something meaningful. I stand in support of our community using its voice and using its space. Let’s continue to show that downtown Truckee is for everyone.
~ Heather River, Bespoke/Atelier, Truckee, via email
In response to Dude, Where’s My Plow (Driver)? in the February print edition
El Dorado Transportation Workers Need Better Pay
I have worked for the El Dorado County Transportation Department for just over 25 years, and what the county has offered us in terms of wages and benefits during this last round of negotiations is not cutting it. It’s putting our communities at risk because of the high turnover rate and because we can’t keep the skilled workforce here as they move on to work in other counties where they are paid more. As a highway maintenance supervisor, I have taken my lunch break to address the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors at its meeting about this issue.
The wage and salary compensation that our local county employees receive isn’t up to par with the cost of living in El Dorado County. We have a lot of examples of employees not even being able to live in the county. On my crew alone, I’ve lost seven guys since 2024. They’ve come here, we trained them, and they were forced to move on to other places to make more money. County services are not up to what they could be if we had a compensation package that retained knowledge and skill.
I am grandfathered into some of the old policies regarding retirement, longevities, and pay scale, which allowed me to buy a house, have a family, and live in the county for 25 years. Young people coming onboard now don’t have that, so it is impossible for them to work here and have the same lifestyle that I had.
I ask the public to join us and write letters to the board of supervisors. Let them know our communities deserve a skilled and fairly compensated workforce plowing their snow and maintaining their roads. Furthermore, the essential workers who are on call 24/7, working for and trying to make a life in our communities, deserve to make a respectable wage.
~ Dustin Sears, Placerville, via email
