North Tahoe Utility District Hires General Manager
The North Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Curtis Aaron as the new General Manager/CEO for the District. Aaron has been serving as the Public Works Director for the City of Fontana, California, and prior to holding that position he was the Utilities and Street Manager.
‘Mr. Aaron brings over 20 years of work in the water, wastewater and public works field. He has an extensive background and experience in the area of Public Works budgeting, implementation of Capital Improvement Projects and policies and procedures. We are enthusiastic about his coming to join the District,’ NTPUD President Lane Lewis said.
Aaron is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Health Science/Biology. He will reside in Kings Beach with his wife, Marty, and their two dogs. North Tahoe Public Utility District, 875 National Avenue, Tahoe Vista, ntpud.org, 530-546-4212.
Town of Truckee recruits for Parking Commission
The Town of Truckee is currently recruiting members to serve on the Parking Commission. The Commission is made up of members that represent geographic locations within the parking district. Contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 10183 Truckee Airport Road, 530-582-2924 or at townoftruckee.com. The application period ends 5 p.m. April 30, 2008.
Recognize Those Who Inspire Students
The Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2008/09 Linda Brown Fellows Awards and the new Star Support Award. The Fellows Program is designed to recognize outstanding teachers and staff members who demonstrate originality, innovation and dedication to the teaching profession that is above and beyond the normally high standards of the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD).
New for this year, the Star Support Award recognizes classified employees who positively impact the lives of the students by providing outstanding support in their positions. All certificated and classified employees in the TTUSD who are employed for at least 80 percent of the school year are eligible for the awards.
Nomination forms, which can be found at all district schools, the district office, and online at exined.org, must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Excellence in Education office at 11071 Donner Pass Road, Truckee by May 9.
Fire Protection Now Part of TRPA Pre-approval
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) will begin requiring fire protection pre-approval of construction projects on private property before a building permit application can be submitted.
By providing initial review of new construction projects across the Tahoe Basin, local fire agencies can help property owners protect their property from wildfire and speed efforts to create defensible space.
Activities requiring TRPA review are listed in Chapter 4 of the TRPA Code of Ordinances. Property owners with questions about how to submit plans through the pre-approval process can contact the appropriate fire protection agency.
North Tahoe Fire Protection District, 530-583-6913, North lake Tahoe Fire Protection District 775-831-0351, TRPA.org, 775-589-5278.
Hydrology And Geology of Groundwater
The Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) is convening an informational meeting about groundwater hydrology on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. at the Truckee Town Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Road. The TRWC is interested in hosting this groundwater meeting because there is currently a great deal of interest from the community regarding groundwater, but not an equivalent level of knowledge about the subject. Groundwater policy will not be a topic of the meeting.
Hydrology presentations will be given by David Shaw, Balance Hydrologics, and Dwight Smith, Interflow Hydrology. Shaw will give an overview of the general principles of groundwater hydrology. Smith will present information about the local groundwater aquifer.
A discussion will follow the presentations with Joanne Roubique, the chair of the TRWC Watershed Issues Forums.
For information, contact Beth Christman or Lisa Wallace, Truckee River Watershed Council, 530-550-8760.
Condo Sales on the Rise at The Boulders
In the last weekend of February, five homes went into escrow at The Boulders, a resort condominium community in Truckee. This tide of consumer activity shows that buyers are finding value in The Boulders’ luxury condominiums, priced in the mid-$400,000s, said Sally Gardner, of the onsite Boulders sales office.
In Truckee, Tahoe Donner and Northstar, February’s condo sales improved on last year’s numbers for the same month, with nine total sold this year and six sold last year. In early, there were 29 condos with ‘sale pending’ status.
The Boulders: bouldersattruckee.com, 530-587-7098.
Squaw Valley Institute Presents…California Secretary of State, Debra Bowen
April 10
Secretary Bowen is a pioneer in open government reform, election integrity, and personal privacy rights. Her presentation on the electoral process, voter turnout numbers and raising a generation of active and engaged citizens promises to be both educational and inspirational. This marks the third event of Squaw Valley Institute’s Civic Engagement series, which is sponsored by a generous grant from the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation. Secretary Bowen will speak about turning around low voter turnout numbers, creating a secure and accessible electoral process, and raising a generation of active and engaged citizens. After a $450 million investment by California counties in electronic voting systems aimed at modernizing elections, newly elected Secretary Bowen ordered an independent review of the new voting technologies to ensure they adequately protected the integrity of the vote.
‘(Debra Bowen) has demonstrated exceptional leadership in working to ensure that voting systems provide a full and accurate count of the vote. Our democracy depends on voter trust. (Her) efforts to earn that trust have made her a true profile in courage,’ said Caroline Kennedy, in reference to Bowen’s being honored with the 2008 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Thursday, April 10, reception at 6:30pm, program begins at 7pm, A $10 donation is requested. No charge for children or students. Tickets may be purchased online at squawvalleyinstitute.org. The Resort at Squaw Creek, 400 Squaw Creek Road, Olympic Valley,530-583-6300, squawcreek.com.
Wild Island Selects
EXL Media
Wild Island Family Adventure Park in Sparks, Nev., which opened in 1989, has decided to bring on a new creative team to take this bourgeoning business into the new world of mobile marketing and new media initiatives. EXL Media of Incline Village, Nev., will handle the Park’s publicity and marketing. The Adventure Park’s marketing efforts have always been strong yet they felt it was time to turn the page and dive into mobile marketing and other creative mediums where youth are spending their free time. ‘EXL Media started web-based marketing initiatives before most of us understood what that meant. We are very excited to see what impact their experience and ideas will have on our future growth,’ said Scott Carothers, Waterpark General Manager.
Wild Island Adventure Park: wildisland.com, 775-359-2927.
EXL Media: exlmedia.com, 775-832-0202.
Truckee Chamber Annual Business Expo
The Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce will hold its sixteenth Annual Business Expo & Chamber Mixer Tuesday, April 29, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at The Resort at Squaw Creek. The Business Expo, designed to be part trade show and part business social event, will showcase over 60 different businesses, demonstrating the strength and variety of our local economy and fostering a positive business environment. Attendance is free and considered by many a must-attend event for anyone doing business in the Truckee-Tahoe area. Truckee Chamber members can exhibit for as little as $185. Space is limited and reservations are on a first-paid, first guaranteed basis.
Linda Pendleton, Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce: 530-587-8808.
Looking for A Place to Hold a Small Meeting?
The Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce now has a small meeting room available to members. The meeting room, located off the Visitor Center, comfortably seats six, but can accommodate eight. ‘We are always looking at ways to provide more benefit to our members, and we hope this space can be a convenient, comfortable space of use to our members,’ said Lynn Saunders, President/CEO of the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce. To reserve the meeting room, call the Chamber at 530-587-8808 or email info@truckee.com.
Dyer Developers File For Bankruptcy
The biggest development proposal in the Sierra Nevada came to a halt when project proponents Dyer Mountain Associates (DMA) filed for bankruptcy on March 27.
DMA began pursuing development on remote Dyer Mountain in Lassen County nearly ten years ago. With the promise of a new ski resort and local jobs, a version of the project was initially approved by a voter initiative in 2000. But the scope of the project ballooned into a vague plan for 4,000 new homes, three golf courses, and a ski resort on 7,000 acres of forest lands.
Developers had promised ski operations by November 2007, but the project mired in deepening legal and financial turmoil. DMA was subject to at least five lawsuits and two court orders. DMA continued to push its project through the planning process, and, in September 2007, Lassen County gave its approval. A powerful coalition of local, regional, and international conservation groups filed suit. Mountain Meadows Conservancy, Sierra Watch, and Sierra Club petitioned Lassen County Superior Court to overturn the county’s approval, contending the proposed development was not only irresponsible but also illegal. In January 2008, creditors foreclosed on the property. With the bankruptcy filing, DMA seeks to suspend foreclosure and gain protection from remaining debt, including nearly $200,000 in back taxes owed to Lassen County.
In the months ahead, conservationists say they will seek an opportunity to bring all parties to the table to seek a conservation resolution for Dyer Mountain. dyermtn.com, mtmeadows.org, sierrawatch.org.
Royal Gorge/Sugar Bowl Connection Rejected
A direct ski lift connection between the potential new neighborhood at Royal Gorge and Sugar Bowl Ski Resort originally was agreed upon in a letter signed by both resorts. However the alpine ski resort has determined that immediate pursuit of the connection is not in its best interests, therefore the letter of agreement is now deemed outdated on March 31. Royal Gorge will propose a development project that does not include the connection, but the cross-country resort intends to continue working cooperatively with Sugar Bowl in the future.
Because a ski lift connection between Royal Gorge and Sugar Bowl could affect traffic impacts and decrease automobile use on the Summit, the option of a ski lift connection will be studied as an alternative in the Royal Gorge environmental review process. royalgorgefuture.com.
Souper Bowl Fundraiser
The 9th Annual Souper Bowl will take place at the North Tahoe Conference Center in Kings Beach on Friday, April 11, at 6 p.m.
This year’s event includes a delicious dinner featuring the culinary talents of chefs Doug and Dawn Baehr of Uncommon Kitchen in Tahoe City, Live and Silent Auctions, a Raffle and Musical Entertainment featuring local students. As always, your ticket will include a hand painted bowl or the opportunity to paint your own bowl at All Fired Up in Tahoe City’s Cobblestone Mall.
Tickets can be purchased at the Uncommon Kitchen, Sierra Sports Care and Chiropractic, All Fired Up, 7-Eleven Dollar Hill, Tahoe Nordic Center, Sierra Tahoe Computers, North Tahoe Veterinary Clinic, and the Truckee and Creekside locations of Forest Charter School. Tickets are $45 for adults and $38 for youth 12-17.
The proceeds of this fundraiser benefit not only the Creekside and Truckee students of Forest Charter School, but also Arts for the Schools and Sierra Watershed Education Partnership.
For more information about this event or enrollment call 581-1036.
