LTVA fireworks legal fees top $32,000
As of April 4, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority had spent $32,769.80 to defend the fireworks lawsuit.
“… the LTVA executive committee decided to retain Feldman, McLaughlin, Thiel, LLP, specifically partners Lew Feldman and Kara Thiel. The firm’s experience in environmental matters specific to Lake Tahoe, its expertise and record of success were key factors,” Pat Ronan, chairman of LTVA board of directors, told Lake Tahoe News. “Feldman’s extensive knowledge and background in Tahoe area environmental issues, and Thiel’s experience on staff at Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency were determining factors for the committee.”
The executive committee is made up of board members Ronan, Jerry Bindel and John Koster.
More legal fees will be incurred until the suit is completely finished.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
What is standing in the way of another person initiating another law suit based on the same public facts?
When america doesn’t even rate in the top 25% of countries with the most free press in the latest analysis I saw recently, at least the lawyers get some dough to be more free I guess.
If that amount is the majority of the costs LTVA got off cheap.
Unfortunately, Sunrise2, I think you are right. I hope the couple who brought on this suit to stop the fireworks accomplished some good in this.
Costs of exemplary and responsible cleanup should be incorporated in the cost of the event itself instead of resulting in extraordinary charges afterward to clean up more than just the physical mess left behind.
$33K for legal fees to come to the realization that better cleanup was necessary, including a day in Sacramento, sounds about right.
I’m guessing a proper cleanup would have come in much less than $32k. Should’ve gone to law skool, client wins or loses, you get paid!
Lew Feldman is the right person to be hired for something like this! He knows the environmental rules and players so well, Lew is pretty much the go to person, if you can afford him, for such matters.
But it still looks bad in that Lew’s firm picks up a quick 32k from a public organization where he is involved with its Executive Dir. For instance how much does the bill get scrutinized and haggled over when it probably helps pay for some vacation Lew and the Exec. Dir. are going to go on?
Yet actually the conflict works in reverse to how most people perceive it. Since the LTVA needs Lew, and since many on the LTVA Board also need Lew for the individual businesses, the Exec. Dir., no matter how inadequately she does the job, is quite safe in her job!
Let’s try this again, looks like someone deleted my post. Take a look at the photos in today’s Tahoe Tribune. Pictures are worth 32,000 words…
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/10898133-113/fireworks-debris-shows-cleanup
The “follow the money” local attorney once again laughs all the way to the bank. I don’t know about most of you, but to me $32,000.00 is a lot of money.
This situation should have been dealt with long before attorneys became involved. As far as I am concerned, that is $32,000.00 less that the LTVA has for their marketing budget. Someone should be held accountable for this costly mistake.
Feldman, McLaughlin, Thiel, LLP will continue to represent the LTVA. How much money does the LTVA pay the law firm for an entire year?
Sorry, I must be out of the loop, but whatever happened to Feldman Shaw?
Northbowl. I saw the picture too and have to wonder why did the LTVA go down the path of intimidation in the first place? They were never going to let a judge see the garbage from the show. The people that bad mouthed the Truxlers should feel a bit “sheepish” after looking at that photo too.
After seeing the photos of all the fireworks debris collected by the Truxlers I hope some people in town come to the relization that attacking this couple for reporting this mess should NOT be vilified.
They did the right thing. It’s the LTVA and other agencies that were contacted but didn’t return phone calls and e mails and just shrugged it off, THOSE are the guilty parties for allowing this to go this far.
I’d say it may be time for some housecleaning at some of the agencies that are supposedly protecting and promoting Lake Tahoe.
Lets clean house!!! OLS
I just don’t understand why the LVTA/Pyro didn’t respond after July 8, 2013 when they were contacted by the TRPA and interviewed by KNTV evening news. It would have saved a lot of people a lot of trouble–and it would have made LVTA look really good if they decided to take proactive steps to protect the lake and the fireworks–like the north shore has already done. The lake is gorgeous and the fireworks are fun. I’m glad everyone can now enjoy both.
If I was a judge and saw these photos, certain high-ranking members of LTVA’s staff would be in jail. For LTVA, TRPA and Lahontan to ignore this kind of mess is unacceptable. LTVA’s scrappy, happy, cavalier attitude shows just how out of touch with the community it is.
The appointed agencies in this area answer to no one. (unless you’ve got the big money and a few paid off politiciians in your back pocket, then you’ve got their ear! ). There is NO oversight!
If they get enough pressure from the public they will hold a meeting to listen to your grievances but as to actually rectifying said complaints and working with you? Forget about it. They do what they wanted all along.
The people who “work” for all the “lettered” agencies make really good money and they know they can do whatever they want without any repercussions. Sweet deal for them, not so good a deal for the rest of us or the lake and the surrounding areas.
These folks DO NOT have your personal well being, the local economy (except the casinos of course) or the lakes and streams health in their agenda. Follow the money !!!
Good Luck, we’re gonna need it! OLS
Well, it looks like we can go beyond the common sense of the situation. The scientific community is finally speaking up.
http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/columnists/2014/04/06/glenn-miller-large-scale-contamination-lake-tahoe-acceptable/7229197/
As I pointed out in an earlier fireworks related story, the LTVA has cut back their staff. They no longer provide regular hours at their Visitors Center for the tourists.
Maybe that’s how they’re paying for the 32k? But it’s at the expense of far from highly paid staff, and at the expense of not providing the most basic of functions!
Yet I bet the Exec. Dir. didn’t take a hit?! Well I guess it’s important that attorneys and overpaid mgt. keep their money no matter what the cost?!
I will ask my question again: What keeps any one else from starting another law suit based on all the public information now out there. Especially, now that the city seems to have clearly show that they will attempt to settle this issue with cash before going to court.
??