Feb Skibum

Community.

There has been a lot of speculation as to what exactly comprises a community spirit, feeling, zen, inner contentedness or just plain old acts of randomness that defines a community. After 38 years of living here I had one that has just stood out and just smacked me into realization on what “community” is. I was skiing up at Sierra At Tahoe and had a pretty nasty fall with the end result being a mild concussion, two fractured ribs, a dislocated hip and a very large bruise on my thigh along with breaking my unbreakable poles and a dent in my helmet. I went to the clinic on site on a very strong recommendation from Zak (Thank You) and was informed by the physician on staff as to the extent of my injuries. This was on Super Bowl Sunday at about 3:00 and I had just received a text from my wife to pick up sour cream on my way home. By 4:00 I was still in the clinic and John Rice came in to see me as he had heard on the radio I was injured and wanted to see if I needed a ride home and if I was okay. Pretty cool. I told him I had to get Sour Cream first and the injuries I sustained skiing would be nothing compared to the ones I would get for not getting the Sour Cream. John told me to go home and he went to Lira’s, bought the Sour Cream and dropped it off at my house in time for the big game.

Community.

There is a lot of confusion on the paid parking initiative versus the Vehicle Code that the city is touting as their defense in their right to collect revenue. Both sides need to back off and start over. The city needs to repeal the ordinance and the parking folks need to remove it and not let it go to a vote. They, the city, can then use the $25,000.00 ( a ridiculous sum) to start over with community meetings and a different approach to paid parking. One other suggestion I gave, thanks Chief, was to lease out the city owned lots to a private company for a lease fee to be determined by the study and let them worry about a parking fee. One more thing before I sign off and stop bagging on the city and their “fees” when it comes to 911 calls and the surcharge for its use. When you call from a land line the 911 call goes to an operator located in the city and should be charged as you use their services, but when you call from a cell phone it goes to Truckee CHP. Taxation without representation is what this country was founded on.

There is no way the California Tahoe Conservancy should get away with what they are doing with lots they own. They bought those lots on the premise that were open space and now that they are running out of free government money they think they can sell those lots under the guise of progress. That is wrong on every level and I plan to fight that to the bitter end. They think they can change the rules to suit them, gloss it over, sprinkle it with sugar and put the spoon all the way to the hilt down our throat smiling the entire time. Time to put them into the private sector and see what reality is like.

Sign Of The Month: These are located at the exit of the upper lot of the airport and facing the exit. They all say No Entry / One Way / No Left Turn/ Public Parking and Employee Parking Only. The only problem is that it is a one way loop and there is actually an arrow pointing in and out. Yes, I am confused.

US Nationals has been officially cancelled. Bummed.
As Usual: skibumfamily@sbcglobal.net sltskbm@gmail.com
Later: Tahoe Skibum aka Kenny Curtzwiler
Thank You to the Community of Tahoe for allowing me write this dribble for the last 18 years. This will be my last article as The Skibum until the November election is over.