Opinion: S. Lake Tahoe — nothing but a name on a map

To the community,

On the question of consolidating the fire department with Lake Valley, the most important consideration is who will be the sovereign? The city was created to give the citizens of the city sovereignty within the limits of the city. Thus, there would be self-government within a general law city. It is clear that if the Lake Valley Fire Department absorbs the city’s fire department with its board determining the policies of the district, the city’s sovereignty will be diminished. There will be a loss of self-government. Is that a wise thing to do if the city wishes to remain a city? Is it self-destruction? If an agreement is reached to consolidate and then we get more of the same, self-government will be a lost cause.

Bill Crawford

Presently, it is a question as to whether or not there is a city of South Lake Tahoe because in many ways it is not a city. Examples: The largest source of city revenue is grant money. After 40 some years the city does not have a city hall. There is no heart, no central location. No home. So where is the city of South Lake Tahoe? In my view the community is a place name on a map. As a city it never matured. And the visitors authority summed it up in its attempt at marketing with what they say is a brand, Tahoe South. Yes, we are on the map and that’s about all there is to it.

Bill Crawford, South Lake Tahoe