To the community,

Another year begins. Issa, the Japanese poet, said, “Old stupidities repeated, new errs invented.” Perhaps. It’s been a rough year for local government. The hit and run artist Tony O’Rourke left the city in a mess. And the mayor, Claire Fortier, made her contribution to political local disorder by waiting until after the City Council election to resign. Ill will to all.

Which brings me to the main point. In the Olmstead case, Justice Brandeis dissenting said, “Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher for good or ill, it teaches the whole people by its example.”

Bill Crawford

How true at the federal, state and local levels. By the behavior of government at all levels, we the people are left out of the picture. At all levels faction brawl over the cliff, over the loop road.

And who will be appointed to the vacant seat on the City Council? A new bone to chew on. Thanks Claire, we needed that. Seems like the Ouija board in control.

Bill Crawford, South Lake Tahoe

PS: About three years ago Claire Fortier’s dog bit me. Fair warning, I guess. No, I didn’t sue. Claire and her spouse brought over a good bottle of red wine. All’s well that ends ….