SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Communities are taking different approaches to reach out to their representatives in Congress, and South Lake Tahoe is one of them, taking its own path. Feeling frustrated by actions taken by Rep. Kevin Kiley and other members of Congress, DOGE, and President Trump in Washington, groups are uniting to speak up and get their voices heard. They are protesting mass layoffs, the dismantling of federal agencies and programs, immigration policies, and more. With Kiley the representative for the California side of Lake Tahoe and the rest of District 3, he is the most direct connection to what is happening in government and the target of frustration and anger from his constituents.
Democrat and independent voters, and others frustrated with the current state of affairs have been attempting to reach out to Kiley’s offices with no responses or acceptance of invitations to attend a town hall meeting. He did hold a “virtual town hall” on Monday, but attendance by telephone was capped at the 25,000 callers who made it through. His office has promised another one in the near future. Some people were able to ask questions during the 90-minute call, but there was no opportunity for follow-up and clarification of Kiley’s answers. Many expressed frustration at what they felt were non-answers to their questions about the Forest Service and other important issues.
TOWN HALL
People in South Lake Tahoe got word that the congressman would be in town on March 20, so they filled out a form online to invite him to a town hall meeting. Kiley had already been invited to a Republican women’s meeting and dinner during the same time frame, as well as other scheduled meet-and-greets. Organizers continued with what they called an “empty chair” town hall, knowing Kiley most likely wouldn’t be there.
Over 200 people filled the Lake Tahoe Community College’s Board Room on Thursday, many with signs used earlier during protests near Heavenly Mountain Resort where locals found out he would be skiing in the morning, near South Tahoe High where he would be visiting, and outside the Tahoe Beach Retreat where he was to attend a chamber meeting.
Speakers included two former Forest Service staff and a USAID worker, all with heartfelt stories to share about their direct experiences. Many present were advocates for those in civil service, who find the importance in public education, and are fans of the forests. They called for federal funds to be unfrozen to protect the country’s assets, forest restoration projects, and to protect Social Security and Medicare.
The former Forest Service staff said they were speaking on behalf of those who still working at the Forest Service, or who were recently fired, because it is not safe for them to do so.
One speaker spoke of her years of work as a humanitarian in war-torn countries including Iraq, Bangladesh and Ukraine. USAID has supported those countries and many around the world with lifesaving work for 63 years. She spoke of how she was brought up to be one of the helpers as Mr. Rogers spoke of from his neighborhood, Fred Rogers famously encouraged children to “look for the helpers” after his mother told him to do so when he was scared by news events, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and appreciating those who help others.
“You were all the helpers until January 24,” the speaker said of the date lifesaving humanitarian work ended.
Speakers told the public they should be concerned about what should be the separation of powers in Washington and three distinct branches that are meant to be checks and balances – the legislative, executive, and judicial branches that prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
They all asked Kiley to listen to his constinuents, and not his party. Many also called for Kiley to not worry so much about his current anti-Governor Newsom campaign and instead pay attention to things affecting residents.
Some attendees came from other areas of Kiley’s district including Pollock Pines and Placer County.
Organizers included the South Lake Tahoe Solidarity Network, Lake Tahoe Pride, Lake Tahoe Democratic Club, and the CA District 3 Community.
SOUTH TAHOE HIGH SCHOOL
While in town Kiley toured South Tahoe High School and was supposed to have a question-and-answer period with students but that was canceled about two weeks prior, and just the tour went on as planned, disappointing many students.
Teacher Eric Beavers invited Rep. Kiley to speak to his classes for a question and answer period. About ten years ago he invited Congressman Tom McClintock to meet the students and have a conversation with them. Beavers said the congressman gave a speech at that time and took questions and provided answers afterward.
This time his students only had a chance to lead Kiley on a tour of the newer facilities and highlight the school’s innovative programs and the value of public education. The students wanted more engagement with the elected official but were limited in conversation.
“I wanted him to come and give the kids have a chance to interact with a congressman,” said Beavers. “They can see them as a human and that they are easy to talk to. It helps build confidence. The kids wanted the chance to talk to him about issues important to them – they were preparing and disappointed they didn’t get more interaction.”
Dozens of other students from other classes knew Kiley would be on campus and left their classes to follow him as a large group, many of them with rainbow flags. They too wanted a chance to engage.
PROTESTS
Once the congressman’s potential schedule became known, groups of protestors showed up at the locations. There were several near Heavenly Mountain Resort early Thursday, attempting to greet him prior to getting a few runs in before the day’s meetings. They also formed a line in front of South Tahoe High School before his tour there, and then in front of the Tahoe Beach Retreat before a Tahoe Chamber member’s meeting.
After the town hall and various rallies and protests, organizers from a few different groups are not stopping there. They have issued a call to action and not just words. They asked people to start calling Kiley and other representatives and share their views and frustrations on the dismantling of government. As they told attendees at the town hall, “Don’t be the loudest one in the room but be the most effective.”
A video of the town hall can be seen HERE with passcode 2&4FSJ5T
KILEY’S STOPS
Rep. Kiley did make several stops while in South Lake Tahoe. He met with El Dorado County Supervisor Brooke Laine, South Lake Tahoe City Hall and airport, went to South Tahoe Public Utility District, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Kiley visited the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe and got a student-led tour
