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I am writing about the recent controversy surrounding the president of our community college, Guy Lease.
I have been attending the college since the days when classes were held in motel rooms, dogs were welcome, and the "real college" was only an idea in forward-thinking minds.
I take great offense to the treatment of Dr. Lease by the few college instructors and the Tribune. As usual, both sides of the story were not presented and facts were not verified. If the Tribune had done its part in presenting this story it would have included all the great things Guy Lease has done for this community and its youth, including the students of Lake Tahoe Community College, the numerous high school students who received help from the Rotary Club International, and the many exchange students who have had the opportunity to come to our country because of Guy Lease's volunteer efforts.
I am proud of what he has accomplished and often bring newcomers and visitors to the college to show them what I consider to be a great achievement. I feel that Guy Lease is a major influence on the college that we have today.
He has also been a tremendous influence on many local high school students in deciding their path in life, providing wisdom, advice, and helping them financially through his efforts in Rotary International. He has the ability to see potential in those who may not see it in themselves and help guide them to a promising future. Young people who know him never hesitate to contact him for advice and assistance.
There have been many difficult decisions that have had to be made at the college due to declining enrollment and a declining stable population. Unfortunately the few instructors who are complaining do not seem to understand that cutbacks and other unpopular decisions are due to these factors. Perhaps they should suggest some solutions instead of making a scapegoat out of a great man.
I hope that the student population and the community will stand behind Dr. Guy Lease. We cannot afford to lose another pillar of our community.
Susan Hartzell
South Lake Tahoe
To the thief who stole my son's bicycle:
Did you ever stop and think about your actions last week when you chose to cut my son's bike lock and steal his bike from behind Albertsons? He has been working hard all summer long to help pay for his college education at the University of Nevada, Reno. Did you stop and think about your actions? The value of that one bike is equal to: One week's pay as a bagger at Albertsons; 94 gallons of gas; one whole quarter's worth of classes at a junior college; 252 loaves of bread. I think you get the message. Your callous actions cause heartbreak and disappointment in society and in people. Next time, please stop and think before committing such a crime and instead, get a job and reward yourself with a bike from your hard-earned wages.
Sincerely, a mom.
Paula Peterson
South Lake Tahoe
Deal with Tahoe's wildlife, or leave
I've recently read the letter regarding bear boxes in Lake Tahoe. I am a local, and I completely agree, if you can afford a second home in Tahoe, then don't complain about the cost of bear boxes. Locals don't get them for free, so why should second home-owners?
Three weeks ago, a bear cub was shot in the chest in my back yard because earlier in the day he had gotten into the house of a neighbor (and second homeowner). He hadn't done any damage and wouldn't have gone in except that the sheriff scared him in. Then, the bear was shot for it. He wasn't tranquilized and then euthanized, he was shot in the chest with a shotgun and allowed to suffer in front of every resident in the area - all because he was scared.
I think that the second homeowners need to chill. They bought homes here because it is beautiful, because of the wildlife, etc., but then they come here and try to turn it into the city. The wildlife belongs here, the tourists do not. In my opinion, if you can't deal with the wildlife that you want to see so badly, either take the proper precautions and keep an eye on where you leave your garbage, or leave!
Nichole White
South Lake Tahoe
Educate visitors on dangers of highway
On Sunday night I was driving through the casino corridor after 10 p.m. I was amazed as traffic came to a halt to allow about 20 people to jaywalk across the road between Harrah's and Harveys. I can only assume that most were stumbling happily on their way to drink and gamble some more on the other side of the street. Whenever this happens, which is almost every time that I drive through the corridor, I roll down my window to educate our visitors about the underground tunnel or the crosswalk by Bill's and the Horizon. What I want to know is why I have to put up with this situation on a regular basis? Why is this area not under constant patrol by either the police or by the casinos to inform the patrons that jaywalking here is dangerous, not to mention illegal. This is a major accident waiting to happen. I think the casinos should make it a priority to inform their patrons that they have an underground tunnel for their safety. I think the Douglas County Sheriff's Office should have someone stationed out their to issue warnings or tickets to those people who break the law by jaywalking. I think it is just a matter of time before someone gets killed by an automobile who cannot see that a person is crossing illegally until they hit them. When these people are dressed in dark clothing they are barely visible. If snow conditions are present, visibility and stopping time are compromised. I don't want a pedestrian to get struck by an automobile because they are too stupid or drunk for their own safety, but I especially don't want to be the innocent driver that will be traumatized for life when that stupid pedestrian walks right out in front of my car.
Merete Smith
Tahoe Paradise
I have been attending the college since the days when classes were held in motel rooms, dogs were welcome, and the "real college" was only an idea in forward-thinking minds.
I take great offense to the treatment of Dr. Lease by the few college instructors and the Tribune. As usual, both sides of the story were not presented and facts were not verified. If the Tribune had done its part in presenting this story it would have included all the great things Guy Lease has done for this community and its youth, including the students of Lake Tahoe Community College, the numerous high school students who received help from the Rotary Club International, and the many exchange students who have had the opportunity to come to our country because of Guy Lease's volunteer efforts.
I am proud of what he has accomplished and often bring newcomers and visitors to the college to show them what I consider to be a great achievement. I feel that Guy Lease is a major influence on the college that we have today.
He has also been a tremendous influence on many local high school students in deciding their path in life, providing wisdom, advice, and helping them financially through his efforts in Rotary International. He has the ability to see potential in those who may not see it in themselves and help guide them to a promising future. Young people who know him never hesitate to contact him for advice and assistance.
There have been many difficult decisions that have had to be made at the college due to declining enrollment and a declining stable population. Unfortunately the few instructors who are complaining do not seem to understand that cutbacks and other unpopular decisions are due to these factors. Perhaps they should suggest some solutions instead of making a scapegoat out of a great man.
I hope that the student population and the community will stand behind Dr. Guy Lease. We cannot afford to lose another pillar of our community.
Susan Hartzell
South Lake Tahoe
To the thief who stole my son's bicycle:
Did you ever stop and think about your actions last week when you chose to cut my son's bike lock and steal his bike from behind Albertsons? He has been working hard all summer long to help pay for his college education at the University of Nevada, Reno. Did you stop and think about your actions? The value of that one bike is equal to: One week's pay as a bagger at Albertsons; 94 gallons of gas; one whole quarter's worth of classes at a junior college; 252 loaves of bread. I think you get the message. Your callous actions cause heartbreak and disappointment in society and in people. Next time, please stop and think before committing such a crime and instead, get a job and reward yourself with a bike from your hard-earned wages.
Sincerely, a mom.
Paula Peterson
South Lake Tahoe
Deal with Tahoe's wildlife, or leave
I've recently read the letter regarding bear boxes in Lake Tahoe. I am a local, and I completely agree, if you can afford a second home in Tahoe, then don't complain about the cost of bear boxes. Locals don't get them for free, so why should second home-owners?
Three weeks ago, a bear cub was shot in the chest in my back yard because earlier in the day he had gotten into the house of a neighbor (and second homeowner). He hadn't done any damage and wouldn't have gone in except that the sheriff scared him in. Then, the bear was shot for it. He wasn't tranquilized and then euthanized, he was shot in the chest with a shotgun and allowed to suffer in front of every resident in the area - all because he was scared.
I think that the second homeowners need to chill. They bought homes here because it is beautiful, because of the wildlife, etc., but then they come here and try to turn it into the city. The wildlife belongs here, the tourists do not. In my opinion, if you can't deal with the wildlife that you want to see so badly, either take the proper precautions and keep an eye on where you leave your garbage, or leave!
Nichole White
South Lake Tahoe
Educate visitors on dangers of highway
On Sunday night I was driving through the casino corridor after 10 p.m. I was amazed as traffic came to a halt to allow about 20 people to jaywalk across the road between Harrah's and Harveys. I can only assume that most were stumbling happily on their way to drink and gamble some more on the other side of the street. Whenever this happens, which is almost every time that I drive through the corridor, I roll down my window to educate our visitors about the underground tunnel or the crosswalk by Bill's and the Horizon. What I want to know is why I have to put up with this situation on a regular basis? Why is this area not under constant patrol by either the police or by the casinos to inform the patrons that jaywalking here is dangerous, not to mention illegal. This is a major accident waiting to happen. I think the casinos should make it a priority to inform their patrons that they have an underground tunnel for their safety. I think the Douglas County Sheriff's Office should have someone stationed out their to issue warnings or tickets to those people who break the law by jaywalking. I think it is just a matter of time before someone gets killed by an automobile who cannot see that a person is crossing illegally until they hit them. When these people are dressed in dark clothing they are barely visible. If snow conditions are present, visibility and stopping time are compromised. I don't want a pedestrian to get struck by an automobile because they are too stupid or drunk for their own safety, but I especially don't want to be the innocent driver that will be traumatized for life when that stupid pedestrian walks right out in front of my car.
Merete Smith
Tahoe Paradise
