Celebrating "The Mayor of Tahoma" as he wraps up decades serving on local fire board

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - When the residents of Tahoma want to find out why firetrucks with sirens running are in their neighborhood, they call Ed Miller, the unofficial "Mayor of Tahoma." No matter the time of day or night, they called. And since he stays connected to all the goings-on in the Tahoma area of El Dorado County, they ask for his input on all sorts of topics.

Miller was recently honored for his 42 years on the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District Board, 40 of those as the board's president. As the fire district merged into the North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD), the Meeks board was dissolved and Miller decided to not run for a position on the NTFPD board.

"I love this fire district," Miller said of Meeks Bay Fire. "Although I will miss our wonderful Meeks Bay Fire District, I think the annexation is an excellent move, and one which will benefit all of the people of the North and West Shores."

Miller was a radio journalist in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, as well as a news anchor and reporter. From the age of 18, his investigative journalism skills led to stories that had an emphasis on the Vietnam War and the Drug Enforcement Agency. He said his actions saved 1,400 sailors above the USS Boston. Miller's friends were aboard that ship, one that had been converted to a missile frigate for Vietnam. His friends told him stories about how the ship was falling apart and its boilers were often down. Miller had lunch with Rep. Richard Ottinger, the man who had Robert F. Kennedy’s seat after his assassination. He told Ottinger the story, and the congressman wrote to the leaders in Washington. A congressional investigation was completed and the decommissioning of the ship.

Miller then found his way to Lake Tahoe in 1976, first in Carnelian Bay, then two years later he and his wife, Lolly Kupec, bought a house in Tahoma.

Even though he helped produce the local Shakespeare and music events at Sand Harbor for 15 years, emceed concerts and special events, and ran a business in North Lake Tahoe, his passion has been in the firefighting world.

When back east, Miller was an EMT, then joined the volunteer fire department as a lieutenant in Meeks Bay. When a board seat opened in 1982, he was recruited and has been a part of the service since then.

While his time on the fire board is over, his public service is not.

Ed still serves on the El Dorado County Area 5 Measure S advisory committee. You can also find him in the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center a few days a week.

"I love that job, it was made to order for me," said Miller. "I meet people from all over the world."

Ed and Lolly have been a big part of the West Shore community from their days of publishing Artifacts for the Arts Council and running their consulting firm, Wild West Communications, Miller did voice-overs for radio and television, political campaigns, and they did graphic design, advertising, and a plethora of other jobs.

The couple had their first date in a cemetery. While that may seem a bit strange, their picnic involved rubbing historic gravestones - a way to preserve hard-to-read headstones which is a hobby to many. Their first home on the East Coast was a 300-year house owned by the niece of Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell.

Miller has lived through a lot of county supervisors as well as fire chiefs during his time on the West Shore. He has also wrapped up 36 years with the El Dorado County Civil Service Commission, 34 of those as its chair. The Commission adjudicates cases of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation for County employees.

"I really like El Dorado County," says Miller. "When I contact them, it gets done."

He said the county is now open to listening and partnering more than other regions, or in the past.

"For years we were the tail of the dog," said Miller. Now he sees things happening under Brooke Laine's term.

Even though no longer in an elected position, the affable Miller said he will do what he can for others in Tahoma.

"It's in my nature to advocate for people," said Miller. "I will continue to help as long as I can and go out of my way to help someone."