2 Fallen Leaf Lake board members threatened with recall

By Susan Wood

Although a contract for a new concessionaire at the Fallen Leaf Lake store and marina was sealed last weekend, some want two community service board members to be recalled.

Two notices obtained by Lake Tahoe News target CSD board members Mike Kraft, the president, and Eric Thaden. “Unresponsiveness to (their constituencies)” is the grounds for the filing.

The other two board members, Teri Thomas and Jennifer Thornton, appear to be safe.

The fifth seat, vacated by Dana Clark, is due to be filled in an August election. The former president left amid the turmoil plaguing the quiet mountain village over former concessionaires John and Ruth Rich.

Hundreds came out in protest last fall when it became apparent the board would not continue to have the Riches run the store and marina operation. Resident Betsy Wheeler came armed at one meeting with a petition and legal threat insisting the board reconsider its direction to change operators.

This latest petition takes issue with Kraft and Thaden’s conduct, implying mismanagement and negligence at a time of dire financial circumstances for the district.

“It is very disappointing that there are some people in the community that cannot allow the healing to begin,” Kraft said in response to the recall petition intent signed by 10 proponents.

Calls made to half the petitioner supporters went unanswered Monday.

“It appears the constituency is very angry with those two directors,” Thornton said to the news.

An intent to recall must be filed with El Dorado County Elections Department. None had been as of Monday. Once it has, the directors have a week to respond; then the county must approve the action. To make it to the ballot, the petition requires 30 percent of the registered voters of the Fallen Leaf district to sign the petition. As of March 15, the district had 155 registered voters.