Letter: Against shocking Measure N, supporting Jinkens and Roberts

I’ve lived in South Lake Tahoe my whole life. I got my first job in a local restaurant at 14. Through hard work, more than 40 hours per week for many years, I managed to make a living. My husband and I built a life here with two children and a granddaughter. We saved up and bought a home 32 years ago.

We were shocked to read about the Vacancy Tax. It’s supposed to target second homeowners but actually says every single homeowner in the city will have to sign under penalty of perjury that they live in their home 183 days, each year. If we don’t, we’ll be fined $6,000!

They have no right to our private information. They could demand proof going back five years! That’s nobody’s business. We haven’t done anything wrong. We’ve worked so hard for so long just to have our home and finances put in jeopardy by someone who wants for free what we have earned. I hope nobody votes for it.

Out of self-preservation, I’ve started reading about the City Council election. I see Nick Speal is running. I won't vote for him. He wrote Measure N. I won’t vote for whoever is recommended to be elected with him either. The only two people who I’ve read about who came out early against Measure N are David Jinkens and Keith Roberts. I haven’t spoken to either one. They seem different from each other. Mr. Jinkens used to be a city manager and Mr. Roberts is a company executive and a recognized top chef and community volunteer. I don’t get the impression that they are a slate. However, I've read enough to appreciate that they both represent my views. I don’t know the other candidates who jumped into the council race late. I haven’t seen them speak as Mr. Jinkens and Mr. Robbins have when I watched council meetings on our computer. The other candidates are too late to the discussions on Measure N, the most important issue. I still don’t know where they stand.

I’m voting for Jinkens and Roberts.

- Sheri Henson
South Lake Tahoe