Opinion: Tahoe needs to have more control, TRPA less
Dear publisher,
People want to know what can be done about the blighted appearance of our city. As a candidate for City Council, I’ve taken the time to speak to business people and homeowners about their perspective on the problem. What they tell me is that the problem of blight is a direct result of our city being the most regulated real estate in the United States. Consequently, investors are put off by such harsh regulations, businesses are reluctant to upgrade their properties and homeowners face endless fines, penalties and added construction costs.
I’m a longtime tree hugger, but I question the validity of using the decline in lake clarity as an excuse to deprive homeowners of building a garage or adding a deck. Sure, there has been a serious decrease in water clarity, but we cannot ignore that over the past few decades, the lake has been warming and our winters are now up to a month shorter. As a result of both of these trends, it would be perfectly natural for us to expect more sedimentation and more algae, even if there were not a single human living in the Tahoe basin.
Steve Kubby
To fix the blight, we have to restore the property rights of businesses and homeowners. That means the city of South Lake Tahoe has to challenge the authority of the federal government and the TRPA to regulate us. I believe we have the authority to do so, if we can muster the courage to do the right thing.
Those who would like to dismiss me as a one-issue medical marijuana candidate totally miss the point. I helped lead and direct a voter initiative that challenged the supremacy of the federal government on the issue of the medical use of marijuana. Despite all the propaganda and raids, the Supreme Court of the United States has upheld our right as a state to make our own laws regarding medical marijuana, regardless of federal law.
Based upon my experience and track record of success in taking on the federal government, I believe that beginning right here in South Lake Tahoe, we can redefine politics in a revolutionary return to common sense and smaller government. The time has finally come for us to take back our power, restore our property rights and force government to become our servant, not our master.
Here are the details of how this can be achieved.
Steve Kubby, South Lake Tahoe
Wow Steve. We never thought of that. You pompous, arrogant idiot – do you think those of us who HAVE lived here for years haven’t thought of that? Talk is cheap – you do not have the power to make your promise good. And don’t try that “global warming” crap here. It is without merit and if you have REALLY studied the Lake, you would see this “trend” has been cyclical for hundreds of years.Blah, blah, blah …same ole, same ole.
JoAnn,
I would expect the president of the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce to write with more eloquence. Back off on the personal attack. Calling someone a pompous arrogant idiot only makes one want to hold up a mirror. Attack ideas — not the messenger.
Kathryn Reed, LTN publisher
Joann is way out of touch with her power. She rolls over for the trpa at any chance she gets. She is a afraid or has just jumped on board with all of the things that are hurting the majority of citizens in South Lake. She has very little reaching out skills and hides behind her wealthy cohorts while she distorts the issues or just tells people its not worth fighting anymore. Move over Joann there are people who have more energy and will never give up like you have.
OMG! Is this Bruce Greggo reincarnated? Um, Mr. Kuby I think you need to focus on what is actually possible to renew the City. I will not be voting got you.
I would expect the president of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce to write with more eloquence.
admin…Thank you for this true remark,but even the SOUTH SHORE CHAMBER HAS TOO MANY INGORANT PEOPLE WORKING UNDER IT’S ROOF….PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY WE NEED BETTER PEOPLE TO WORK,HOLD THESE POSTION.
INSTEAD OF THE GOOD OLD BOYS, WE GET THE ,BAD OLD BAGS COMING OUT THE WOODWORK.
The social connection people for this town don’t want anything to change.THE WOMAN A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY OUR TOWN SUCKS.
I sure like to see more residents have property rights ,I sure like to see t.r.p.a sink into the sunset never be heard of again,let local citizens from the two ajoining states make up a fairer group to deal with our problems.
We need the TRPA. If only they will do their mandated scientific work and get out of the business of selecting colors for private property ect………..
If TRPA could back their codes with rational scientific explanations we could swallow their pill a little better.
In all fairness Kae, I think you should tell us who everyone is on this site that badmouths others which is just about everyone here. How about you tell us who H is? I mean it’s only fair. I still think you have a great site also but I also don’t think it’s right to expose someone without their permission.
Where did Steve say he was a fan of global warming baloney?
I’ve known Steve a long time, probably longer than anyone in this discussion.
I’ve never heard him say anything of the sort.
Certainly, he has heard me say I think it’s a load of fresh bull manure many times and has never tried to talk me out of my anti-global warming position.
Steve is a PRACTICAL political person.
His point is that despite caring about the cleanliness of our environment, despite being a ‘tree hugger’ he wants government off our backs.
Steve Kubby trusts YOU far more to be a good custodian of your property than the government at any level.
I’ve never met ‘Joanne’ before, but from the sounds of it, she’s afraid of anything, or anyone new.
Well, Miss Chamber Lady, Change is coming to SLT and the Chamber, with you, or without you.
SLT needs to stay out of people’s lives and pockets a whole heck of a lot more.
Mister Kubby trusts people more than he trusts Government.
For you, that’s bad I guess.
For most of SLT, including businesspeople, taxpayers, homeowners, renters and tourists… It’s GOOD.
Very good.
I’m guessing Steve has a good shot at winning a seat on SLT’s City Council.
Then what will you do, Miss Manners?
H name is Macoche Greenback for your info.
I tell it the way I see it and seen it for over 40 years.
DON’T put my comments on Kae shoulders.
There kenny ,NOW SLAP THE BONEBRAIN.
Steve,
You don’t need to be elected to city council to take on the Federal Gov. Why didn’t you stay in Placer County and take on TRPA??? Is it because you have a dispensary in you back pocket here in the city of SLT??? We can see through your true agenda.
lol. You are such an idiot but I respect that. Thanks.
Simply put, all possible solutions to the ‘real’ problem will only exacerbate the problem – think of the difference between a ‘root cause’ and a symptom. . . we almost never consider the root, while we are almost always willing to attack symptoms.
The basic issue is one of bureaucratic timidity, as TRPA blindly follows their hallowed ‘thresholds’ as gospel, when it is so obvious to many that they are essentially obsolete (implied above in ‘ignoring’ the current state of the globe).
As “regulation is a function of poor design”, there is some credence to looking closer at how Tahoe has done things (i.e., homes that were built by Uncle Fred over 76 weekends but were never designed to be lived in in winter, therefore absent insulation) as the entire United States is a ‘mish-mash’ of scattered development.
Tahoe needs to be redeveloped due to that, but unless TRPA gathers up the courage to actually look seriously at the foundation of their compact, as they are essentially timid about approaching Congress to change it (not to mention even questioning it), the objections will keep everything here in a political mode. . .
Absent Tahoe politics, there are plenty of current examples of “places” that are progressively developing answers that overcome environmental missteps, but not as many as are needed now. Tahoe could be one of those, instead of operating under the Peter Principle.
This is essentially the absence of political will so often mentioned as the missing ingredient – everywhere. . . not necessarily more politics or even yet another “party”.
ski… I’VE STILL GOT TWO THUMBS…..WHAT HAPPENED TO YOURS ?
I could think of many names but perfer you think of a good-one!
For your information h, it was my ring finger on my left hand that I lost and that is low even for you to bring that up. So, how about it Kae? Why don’t you let us know who h is after this. If this was my site I could just find out but it’s not so I am asking you to reveal who this is, it’s only fair and obviously allowed now that a precedent has been set. Pretty low for someone to attack a personal tragedy and I just hope h sticks to just this tragedy and doesn’t start in on other’s. h, stick to the blog threads please and stop getting so personal, Thanks.
dude, why is everyone harshing on Mr. Kubby? Sure it may sound a little unrealistic what he’s looking for, but at least he’s not held on a leash by big corporate businesses handing him money so he won’t open his mouth and go against them. I think it’s safe to say that every man, woman and child living in Lake Tahoe would tell you that the lake’s clarity is an issue held close to their hearts. Fixing up a house should not be such a big deal.
lol@ski!
Kenny,
If you read all the comments on this thread, days ago H said who he was. Keep up.
Kathryn Reed, LTN publisher
Macoche Greenback is not a real person
This is the name he has used at all the South Shore publications I’ve worked for — in print and on the phone.
It’s time to move on.
Kathryn Reed, LTN publisher
What is wrong with all of you?
Kae, I respect your journalism but your site is doing little more than fostering the cynicism, apathy and blatant indecency that has led this amazing place into despair.
How many of you are actually taking some action to make SLT better rather than bitching on a blog?
Lastly, I couldn’t agree with Kenny more. You either make it open source or keep it anonymous–it’s not right to call someone out publicly when you’ve agreed to anonymity.
It is time to move on like Kae said. Get to the real issues not petty BS. I don’t care what your “real” name is. It is all about opinions. If you are so concerned about who everyone is go to meetings, stand up, make a real difference. Moaning and groaning about who is who on the internet should be the least of our worries.
What publications and have you verified Macoche Greenback’s name besides just verbally taking his word for it?
I Googled his name and all I found was a previous comment to LTN.