SLT City Council candidate Ted Long

All candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were given the same questions. With just one day to go to the elections, we will be featuring their answers and a video of their interview with Tahoe Regional Young Professionals through the day.

Ted Long, 77, attorney and lecturer, 21 years full time skiing here since 1965.

Discuss your interest in serving on City Council. What is your prior experience in working with civic, community or governmental organizations

Former: City councilperson, planning commissioner, President of a major division of the League of California Cities, Chairman of LAFCO, LTVA board, treasurer of the Art League, Board of Directors of the El Dorado County Food Bank, serving on three Grand Juries once as foreperson and over 25 other commissions and organizations

Concerning the proposed Hwy 50 Revitalization Project, what is your stance and why?
I support the revitalization of Hwy 50. With a state highway as our main street we must do everything we can to improve it, I do question the relocation of any resident but I have been assured that they will all receive better living conditions and that the economic impact will benefit our community. My concern is the cost, it may be so great that nothing will happen.

Do you believe there is a low income and affordable housing issue in SLT, and why? If you believe there is, what do you see your role as a council member to address it
Yes, it is a real issue and needs to be addressed. A council member can provide the leadership to bring all the parties together, the city, TRPA, STPUD, and the County. Fees need to be discussed and what has been "development rights" need to be resolved. We require a new view of the areas role in housing and a modern, realistic approach to housing, our sons and daughter deserve the right to live here along with our teachers, fire and police. I have specific projects and plans to address the issue.

Do you believe the Council should work as a team and collaborate to come to a solution as to what is best for the community? Explain your answer.
The council has to be team, this job is more of a diplomat then a legislator, we have a city manager form of government where the city manager manages the day to day operation. The councilmember needs to build relationships in and out of the city, to develop listening to our issues and develop the broad base of support required to get something done, thru communication and facts not stubbornness and argument. The councilmembers job is to bring the city, and the staff together, working to make this a better place. I have offer 50 years of experience and involvement, I know leaders from my service, in the city, Sacramento and the county.

A hot topic in the town are Vacation Home Rentals. The current Council and staff held public meetings on the subject and have come up with a new set of codes trying to address concerns. Do you think VHRs are a vital need to tourism in the community? What do you propose the next step should be since both sides of the issue are still concerned about the current direction?
This is one of those issues that has become polarized, many home owners upset and an industry that is needed to support our economy on opposite sides. In addition there is a large group of residents in the middle, not directly effected. We need to get together and address the problems, but consistent with what's possible and legal. It must be remembered that as a city, we have certain rights to regulate development, and we also have strong rights of property ownership. I think there is a common ground and we can come together, but only when parties get together committed to resolve the issue, not just be right. Look at our national congress today, no one seems to want to get together, progress is thru compromise, not dead lock. I am willing to host that conversation.

What 3 achievable goals would you champion in the next 4 years?
Repair the roads, affordable and workforce housing and economic development

What areas of South Lake Tahoe do you think present an opportunity for revitalization? What do you view as your role?
The Hwt 89 entrance, we need a program to redevelop those old motels and to work with the new owners of the old Y stores. Then the Y itself, we have some new development but the corner and the Hwy frontage to Ski Run needs major improvement and beautification. The role is leadership, a willingness to get involved, work with our existing resources and develop new, out of the box, solutions. I have the time and the experience to do this, and I want to.

In 300 words or less, why should voters vote for you?
I have the experience, over 50 years of involvement and work, its one thing to say something is a problem, its another to have the ability to do something about it. We all mean well, the voter has to decide who really has the ability and the experince to do it. I have the time and the desire to make our town, not just great, but a national example of what can be done. I believe that the quality of live is measured by the conditions of the poorest not the richest.