By Kathryn Reed

A handful of Kindertown supporters gave their spiel to the South Lake Tahoe City Council on Oct. 6 in an effort to get the elected officials involved in keeping the day care-preschool open.

“If there were a better facility out there, I would take my daughter there,” Allison Borta told the council. “It’s not just day care. She does wonderful things with these kids.”

Maria Barrows-Crist, who has run the center since the 1970s, has been told by the state she must cease operating Oct. 15 because of a slew of allegations that run from drug use by employees to spilling hot soup on a child.

Two of the state’s key witnesses are former employees of Kindertown.

Barrows-Crist’s attorney is fighting the closure.

“I was contacted by several parents and interested parties over the last week regarding this closure, and I forwarded information to State Sen. Dave Cox and Assemblyman Ted Gaines asking for their review and assistance,” City Manager Dave Jinkens said in a comment posted Oct. 4 on LTN.

The council unanimously agreed to support the center remaining open until further information can be obtained. The council directed the city attorney to gather more information.