Unsure what to say over the past many months of secret negotiations, the people of Mammoth Lakes found their voice at Wednesday night’s meeting. Citizens stood up and clearly spoke out against the cuts of Whitmore Park and Pool and cuts of Mammoth Police Officers. Some also objected to more rentals of single family homes. All this, to raise money to pay off the big lawsuit judgment.
Ten people stood up to strongly oppose reductions in the Mammoth Police force. First, Police Chief Dan Watson laid out the expected impacts from a loss of 46% of his men – a loss of MONET and the School Resource Officer, many shifts with only one officer. The Chief said, “I believe this level of staffing poses a genuine risk to our residents, visitors and officers. Safety would be jeopardized.” He also quoted District Attorney Tim Kendall as concerned about fewer police and a lack of follow-up on crimes leading to more unsolved crimes.
The impacts do not end there. Chief Watson named traffic safety and quality of life services. The Chief pointed to an analysis by the Peace Officers Standards and Training, POST, which he had asked for in January of 2011 and which arrived in recent days. That report says Mammoth should not go below the current 17 sworn officers and should plan for more. Chief Watson showed willingness to include a reserve officer program and certain volunteers.
Watson pointed to the isolation of Mammoth with no nearby law enforcement to help. He said he does not advocate a contract with the Mono Sheriff’s Office but said the Town should at least ask for a proposal.
Councilman Rick Wood said public safety is obviously a priority, but he said it is $4.5 million of the budget. Wood said some citizens believe officers are paid too much. This, he said, needs to be part of the dialogue.
Ten people stood up on this issue, and all of them supported a strong police department. Many simply said “no cuts.” One local man stood up to say he is a convict and he knows how important it is to have policemen in town. He said, “Things will get ten times worse if you make these cuts.”
Kate Page, long-time Mammoth resident said simply of the police cuts, “Don’t do it. It would be a short-sighted move not in the best interest of the Town.” Page said the police are “silent supporters for tourism.” She said to the Council, “If you do this experiment to cut officers, visitors and residents will not be safe. You would be taking a huge gamble,” she said.
Mammoth Fire Chief Brent Harper also voiced concern for safety if there are police cuts. He said that late at night a police ride along gives you an education. “There are a lot of drunks and fights. This could escalate.”
Earlier, about a dozen more stepped up to the podium to oppose the closure of Whitmore Park and Pool. Some suggested a combination of new taxes and cuts – perhaps an increased sales tax, said one woman. Another brought up the so far unspoken – why not use Tax Measure R to save Whitmore.
Councilman Rick Wood said that voters approved Tax Measures A, A, T,
R and U – a total of some $5 million per year. He said these monies were specifically or generally meant for other uses. Wood said, “I want to hear from the public if these dollars should be touched. We need a community-wide debate. Tell the Town Council.”
Earlier this week, Town Manager Dave Wilbrecht said he expected the public to ask that police officers be saved and that Measures A and T dollars be used.
On another issue, should more single family homes be rented out to generate more transient occupancy tax? No one favored that idea. Bill Taylor did ask the Council to consider that work force housing is still a critical need in Mammoth. He said if the community becomes successful again, “we will need housing.”
At the start of the discussion, Assistant Town Manager Marianna Marysheva-Martinez said the idea is to find a way to deliver services “in a different manner including volunteers and outsourcing.” She also said, “We do need to cut.” Martinez said public discussions on cuts will continue through November. By early December, she said the Town Council will decide on cuts and implement them January 1. More at the regular Town Council meeting October 17.
MMM can volun-terr her services. there is 200k plus a year saved….
The bad guy is Ballas,
Don’t pay him, he does not deserve it
And if you must then give him what you can really afford,
A dollar a year .
=
Ballas is not the bad guy. When the town broke his contract and screwed him, all he wanted was the money he had invested in the airport which he was happy to do, thinking he had a valid and legally binding agreement with the town, and it would pay off… Read more »
I’ve always liked having our local M.L.P.D. aside from a few “bad apples” in the basket, most of the MLPD are made up of good, hardworking, officers and our Police Chief is a decent guy, too. That said, the writing is on the wall folks. We cannot afford the MLPD… Read more »
Yeah, that’s great. Let’s all arm ourselves like the Old West because we can’t afford a police force because we have to have a Tourism Dept. and useless airport.
Ken, Tourism Dept actually generates revenue, is funded by T.O.T tax – not the general budget, and does a great job of marketing the Town to the rest of the world. We can no longer afford the Police Dept, in leu of other community services (for us locals to appreciate)… Read more »
I will only point out that you feel very safe with the current situation. We have yet to find out how much it would cost to contract with the Sheriff’s Office or if it is even possible. Stay tuned on that one. Meanwhile, read the Mammoth Police Officer’s press release… Read more »
“We have a County Sheriff, CHP, Game Wardens, Forest Service Rangers, and BLM rangers … I feel VERY safe in this town.”
That’s pretty dumb and if that’s the level of your analysis, why should anybody believe the rest of your predictable marketing trop.
Dumb, huh? Ken, are you aware of the actual crime statistics in this town? I am, and I’ve been living here a while. Mammoth is a very safe place, and will continue to be a very safe place, with or w/o our police dept which we can no longer afford,… Read more »
Excellent point Ken!!!
i dont think your average voter or citizen understands the incredible waste that goes on with tax payers dollars, the next time you see a bunch of laughing council members coming out of chart house,you can bet your butt,you paid for it.
“the next time you see a bunch of laughing council members coming out of chart house,you can bet your butt,you paid for it.”
This should be the New Town Slogan
LOL
Sean F: You need to do more research on all the measures and what’s transpired here because of mismanagement. I read that you are an ex-police. Are you a bit biased? Do you receive one of those sweet pensions? I have been here over 35 years and have felt the… Read more »
Actually he was prosecuted. Get YOUR facts straight!
Sorry, my mistake! Hey Mammothite set us straight. Did he go to prison? Did he go on to another city? The point I was trying to make was that there has been alot of mismanagement.
He did not go to prison. Here is how it works. If the suspect has the ability to make payments for restitution, the DA will ask the victim, “would you rather be paid back or would you like to see him go to prison for 5 years”. Most victims would… Read more »
Dear Louise – No I don’t get a pension. I was a full time cop for about 10 years. I cashed out all my contributions to PERS retirement and put it into the stock market. I created a business out of a bedroom in 2001. I have 40 employees in… Read more »
Dear Sean F., You sound like a sincere, great guy living the American Dream. Have you looked at the industrial park for your warehouse? I want to reiterate that I really don’t have a problem with the MLPD. We are not Compton but we do swell to thousands on most… Read more »
Well Louise, I’ve only been here 26 years but if you’re talking about Ron Stevens, and I believe you are, I seem to remember it completely different. Stevens was prosecuted and, I believe, went to prison. More specific to your point, however, is that he was employeed by the chamber… Read more »
Jon, I remember it a bit differently. Maybe Mammothite or Benett can verify. When the Town was incorporated the Town took over the Tourism lodging referral from the lodging community. At that time we sent our lodging referral fees, the Town magazine ad fees and bed tax and fees to… Read more »
All I remember is that Mammmoth interests – business, I believe – formed the Resort Association. Ron Stevens was hired and problems ensued. He moved on to another community where he had more problems, and I believe he was ordered to make restitution. Stevens also claimed to be an honored… Read more »
Although the past may have been a bit of a learning curve, at least now we have a good leader in Tourism with Urdi, who has been the best advocate for the area and tourism you could ask for. Lets hope the council keeps true to their word and doesn’t… Read more »
Hi Jon, are you the retired MLPD who’s wife worked for the town and retired with a pension also? Please don’t single handily rewrite history here. Let’s get some facts straight even if it is off topic. Remember, Lemmon, Stapp, Eastman, Marangella, Benett, and even Tom Cage were here? You… Read more »
Seems as if only the Public Pension holders can survive the current economic conditions in Mammoth… As long as the auto payments keep coming in from the state of Taxifornia all of the X Public Servants and fat and happy. Expensive cigars and Hawaiian shirts for everyone Does Anyone know… Read more »
Yup, Fact, that’s me. So what’s your point and what in the world does that have to do with whether Ron Stevens stole public money or not?
The Town Council got involved with MLLA with no vote from the public; now the Town Council is secretly meeting to cut services. The only people suffering are the Taxpayers. The people of Mammoth should be whole-heartily p$ssed off.
Those who were around when the mess started are still around. Today they are cleverly trying to create the illusion that the people have a say in what happens in their community.
These “leaders” should do the honorable and ethical thing and resign.
Regarding the redirecting of various past special Measure funds XYZ I feel that it was a different time when those Measures were passed (I dont think I was living here at that time. I have no idea WHEN they were voted on. The situation has now changed and the town… Read more »
Measure R stands for Recreation, what is Whitmore pool? I chimed in a few years ago when Sandy Hogan was fighting the ‘wording’ or Measure R. Supposedly used only for ‘new’ projects. Well that’s not what people voted for. We voted for RECREATION, including the upkeep of the existing facilities,… Read more »
We will probably never know what went on behind the incredible amount of closed meetings. The possible side-deals, favors, promises, cronyism, etc. Until it is 100% illegal to gain one thin dime as an elected official with all that power, the system you have in place will be a corrupt… Read more »
Thank you! I voted for measure R for recreation – in general. Don’t tell me it was only for NEW recreation, like paying John Wentworth and his entourage to “plan” a bunch of trails. last I checked, we’ve had trails way before he came along. Use measure R money to… Read more »
Until our elected officials get their feet held to the fire (demanding resignations, open-meetings, financial disclosures, penalties for graft, and corruption) they will continue to do whatever they damn well want to do.
I thought EVERYBODY knew that.
Our Council has proven with their actions over and over again that OUR vote DOES NOT matter. Just read these pages, go to Council meetings, watch silently as they make closed door decisions that change our lives for the next 23 years. What makes you think that this Council with… Read more »
Why do they think the citizens of Mammoth agree with a highly paid person who is good at giving power-point presentations that only crunch numbers and offer nothing else? The last presentation was so deliberately boring the council said she didn’t have to complete her presentation.
Before it’s all over MLPD will be history.
They should stop wasting money and contract with the county Sheriff asap.
Hey Mark,
Guess how $much$ the Sheriff would charge?
It will be Self Fulfilling Prophesy 🙂
@Mark,
Even after the MLPD is History.. Their Pensions will live on FOREVER…
GGW
Fancy Hawaiian shirts and expensive cigars for Everyone
Upthecreek, You can’t put a post on here unless you mention the word “pension”! Yes, there are some instances where union negotiations have gotten the best of some cities, but MLPD is not one of them. I for one think putting your life on the line in the military, civilian… Read more »
Sorry Leon No pension Here.. I am the one that writes the Tax check every quarter to help pay for the Huge Public Pensions Scam.. Don’t worry the Sheeple are starting to Figure it out. Just a mater of a few years and most cities, counties and states will be… Read more »
@ Leon D, “I for one think putting your life on the line in the military, civilian law enforcement, etc. deserve a step up from the normal metro trash collector. ” So tell me how does a Pension of the average Military Person compare to that of a Retired Police,… Read more »
Remember…. in the end It is all about More taxes for the sheeeple and the public servants Keeping their Huge pensions.
This is why our state, country and town is in big financial Trouble
Govt Gone Wild
U got that right, Get Rid of all the public sector Union Thugs 🙂
Rick Wood said tax measures A,R and U could be “invaded.” “If the consensus of the community is that we should invade those (measures the voters already voted on) for other purposes, if we should invade Measure R to supplant existing programs (already voted on), the council will hear that… Read more »
The Measure U or “Mammoth Lakes Mobility, Recreation and Arts & Culture Utility Users Tax Ordinance” was adopted by the Mammoth Lakes Town Council on March 17, 2010, and approved by the voters of the Town of Mammoth Lakes on June 8, 2010. The Ordinance states: “On or after July… Read more »
I will note that the two measures you mentioned are special taxes which specify expenditures. However, as we mentioned in our story, the two Measures A and Measure T were not special taxes dedicated to specific expenditures. Instead, there were suggestions on how the monies should be spent. If citizens… Read more »
Benett, “If citizens want these dollars spent elsewhere, they have a right to say so.” Correct. And the “elsewhere” discussed should be put to a vote. (as it already has been and rejected by the council) Not just because a couple of constituents seeking personal gain, political favors, and other… Read more »
Hey Mammoth.. When will you wake up and realize that you “Can afford the police” .. and It ‘s the Pensions and benefits programs after they retire that you “Can’t afford” Public unions love when Tax Revenues are directed into the General fund….Or shall I say the “Candy Jar” Govt… Read more »
So the voters pass measures U and R. The money then goes to a place called “General Fund.” Then one fine day, the Town Council decides the money does NO have to go towards the original measures (the voters voted for) afterall and wants a “discussion” as to where the… Read more »
Please go back and review our past story that quotes Town Manager Wilbrecht. Measures R and U do not go in the general fund. They are special taxes targeted for specific uses. The two Measures A and Measure T, although discussed and suggested for some specific uses – tourism and… Read more »
Please go back to 2008 and 2010 and you will find what the people want to fund is Recreation, Arts & Culture (Measure U) and Recreation, Trails and Parks (Measure R). And these cannot be decided by a few constituents as is implied, it sounds like it requires another vote… Read more »
Why was there a convict at a Town Council Meeting?
He said he had been out of prison for 11 months or more. He is a citizen of Mammoth Lakes, working here with a family.
He seemed to be speaking from experience as a criminal.
Benett
We live in a free and fair society! Give the guy credit for standing up and admitting his past.
Councilman Wood, at that televised meeting (watch it for yourself) told the audience if constituents have a better use for monies appropriated, TOT, Measures XYZ and such, the council will consider better ways to use the money.
Sorry, Councilman Wood. You cannot do that. Those measures were voted on.
Didn’t the police department just take large pay cuts earlier this year? Does anyone know why the fire department is not talked about when people need to be cut? Why just the cops? Serious question. Not trying to be a smart ass. Can any cuts be made to the PD… Read more »
The Fire Department is funded by the fire district and a percentage of tax dollars.
It is not part of Town government.
Benett
Thanks Benett. I did not know that.
They should allow SF homes to participate in the TOT! Maybe those in the SF area will come here rather than Tahoe.
the numbers don’t add up! According to this website, it is reported that cutting 7 police officer positions will save $540K per year. That would average $77K per officer. That might possibly be the average of their salaries, but it appears low. And, once you add in the benefit packages… Read more »
I believe those figures are for part of a year. The cuts would start January 1, 2013 for the fiscal year.
Benett
I noticed when co-Town Manager Martinez was razzle-dazzling everybody with her power-point presentation (offering no anwers) nothing was said about management voluntarily reducing their salaries to help the situation. After crunching numbers and putting people to sleep, she asked, “Should I continue …?” To which the council said, “Naw, that’s… Read more »