Editorial: Use the election to create a community of collaboration and teamwork

In order to be a successful community on the South Shore, the state line needs to become a blur and both sides need to work together. There should be no "us" and "them" but a collective "we."

When travelers come to Lake Tahoe they don't see a state line, or a direction on the compass, they see a beautiful recreational paradise that just a few people are able to call home, but millions can call a vacation destination.

It is a sad day when what the traveler can pick up on is bickering, fighting, blaming and complaining. There is no place for complaints about tourists, and second-home owners, people that are all part of the "we." The traveler of today wants to have a sense of community where they stop, no matter if for a day, or a month.

What I ask for is people in our community to become a "we."

Teamwork and collaboration makes not on a successful business, but a successful community. We've seen years of agencies acting solely in their own interest to now come together in a collaborative effort to succeed on the environment, the economy and the future of Lake Tahoe.

As we vote on November 8, why not vote for the candidates that will continue this collaborative teamwork, and not those who continue to have the "us" and "them" mentality?

I'll insert two of my favorite quotes here:
"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." --Helen Keller
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." --Henry Ford

Who wouldn't want success? It can only be accomplished by a collaborative effort towards a goal. What is our goal as a community who works together? Better income, better housing, better economy, more tourists, more jobs? Yes.

During the South Lake Tahoe election, there have been a lot of hopeful comments by candidates about working together for success. There have also been comments that aim to drive a stake through that and to keep things divided.

There have been accusations made by some candidates that Nevada is behind the Tahoe Chamber endorsement of Brooke Laine and Jason Collin for South Lake Tahoe City Council. Did you know that the non-profit Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce is made of 70 percent California and 30 percent Nevada businesses?

Have you looked at the Board of Directors of the Tahoe Chamber? I see a business owner in Meyers, the Heavenly Village, hotel manager on the California side, a college executive, a bi-state tourism magazine publisher...all people that benefit from clients and guests that come to Lake Tahoe as a whole, not based on which side of a state line they choose to shop and play.

So remember, be a "we," not a "they."

As we continue to hear the Highway 50 revitalization plans, we also continue to hear a lot of misinformation from small factions that believe the change is Nevada backed.

The proposed changes, over 30 years in the making, are federally guided, not guided by any one side. Ask yourself, what benefit would Nevada have to complete this road? People are coming to Lake Tahoe to be at the lake, and maybe their accommodations end up being in the casino corridor, they won't limit their stay there now that gaming is the least of their vacation desires.

Attend the meetings on the Revitalization plan and ask questions. What many seem to miss is the work "revitalization." Our town was looking tired and run down before redevelopment and recent influxes in the local economy. WE are creating a destination where people want to walk and bike, talk and share, stay and play.

A direction of a road won't make people skip by California businesses. The quality of an experience will guide where they visit. Small businesses need to ask themselves, am I creating an experience or product that will bring them to me, no matter where the road is or what side of a state line I'm on? How do we make ourselves better, therefor more successful?

So remember, we are a "we," not a "they."

The five SLT City Council members are elected by the voters to represent their views, needs and desires. They are given four years to lead the town, and vote as the constituents ask them, so make sure you're putting someone in office you trust to work collaboratively with the others. There is no place for an individual who cannot accomplish this with teamwork. Look for those that can lead by a positive example, because as you know, it is only then that others will follow.

It was coach Phil Jackson who said, "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team."

So remember, we are a "we," not a "they."