Letters to the editor

I looked at my small travel suitcase at the three bathing suits, two shorts, two shirts and one pair of jeans that I had packed to take on my vacation. "This is all I have," I said.

I continued to look at my suitcase. I saw my two children, Sam and Lia, who have given me as much comfort as I have tried to give them. You guys are wonderful. I am so proud of the people you have become. I saw my incredible boyfriend Lou, who jumped in with both feet (and the rest of his body as well) to try and give me some feeling of peace in the midst of the chaos. I saw my ex-husband Michael and Sylvia who immediately opened their home to me so our children could feel more secure with both parents around. (I declined, it would be too weird for all of us.) I saw my secretary/paralegal Tina who fielded call after call with her usual grace and good humor. I saw my partners in criminal law, family law and juvenile law; the attorneys, office and support staff, district attorneys, public defenders, court staff, judges, CASA, social workers ... all showing their concern for me and my family. They proved to me, once again, what an outstanding legal community we have.

I saw every single person I have encountered all over town who took a minute out of their day to share in my tragedy.

I don't think I will be able to get my suitcase closed. I have way to much to fit into it. I know that no matter how big I rebuild my home it will be overflowing with the kindness and generosity of this community.

My children and I lost our house. We did not lose our home. Thank you everyone.

Lori G. London

South Lake Tahoe



Editor's note: Ms. London's home was destroyed in a fire in August.



Disappointed again by PUD appointment

As one of the many locals who informed the board of the South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District that they wished to be considered for the director position vacated by Thomas Comte, I was again disappointed by its decision. Never considering I had the faintest chance of appointment, I used my letter of intent and interview to speak on citizens' dissatisfaction with the board's policies and actions.

Perhaps thus informed they might appoint a person with a divergent view.

Given the extremely high number of applicants that presented a letter of intent and interviewed for the position, the board had an exceptional chance to appoint someone who represented the bulk of district residents. One such individual might have been Mr. Dale Rise, a local contractor extremely well versed in the district and its policies, as well as the mechanics of water and sewage distribution and in touch with local residents. Again, they made no such choice.

Rate payers are questioning inadequate water pressure and volumes (causing new homes or remodels to add upwards of $40,000 per project compensating for district inadequacies with in-house sprinklers), the districts purchase of antiquated water systems such as Martin Bros. and Lukins (which raise district rates so all ratepayers pay for the modernization of these systems, rather than the people directly serviced by them), and district policies toward vacant and vacation rental homes. All of this while the district builds a multi-million dollar building, proudly built to exceed local building codes by 50 percent and featuring a new Emergency Operations Center, which duplicates those of the city, county, police and fire departments.

We need water district board members that represent the majority of district ratepayers and act to protect and serve them. We need a water district that provides adequate volume and pressure for firefighting, before new overbuilt buildings to protect themselves at the public's expense.

As an increasing number of our community feels a lack of representation and protection, hopefully will make their displeasure felt at the election for board members in 2007 and elect board members who support the community.

John W. Runnels

South Lake Tahoe