Letter to the publisher,

I want to congratulate Wendy David & Judy Cefalu on their election to the LTUSD Board. Wendy is the strength and center of the Board.

It was a true privilege to work with Wendy. Two of my boys were lucky enough to receive both their preschool and their high school diplomas from Wendy.

It was also a privilege working with Sue Novasel, Michael Doyle and Larry Green. I can tell you that whether you disagree with the decisions made or not, these people truly seek to do the right things for the right reasons. I’m sure Judy will enjoy working with this Board and taking on the challenges ahead.

I also would like to thank Dr. (Jim) Tarwater and all the administrative staff for their professionalism and dedication. The classified employees were terrific as well. It was wonderful being a part of a team for even such a brief period that was able to bring test scores up (WAY UP!) at every school. The dedicated teachers have been asked to do more with less and they have done it.

I was very pleased to have received 1,842 votes. I had told myself that were I to be fortunate enough to win, that I would remember that I would then also represent those who had not voted for me.

I want to thank (Tahoe Mountain News Publisher) Taylor Flynn for endorsing me. I appreciated that you understood that I was sincere and dedicated to making this a great place for kids to live and go to school as well as someday return to raise their families. I especially enjoyed this month’s Tay’s Tales where you wrote about how you were inundated with rumors and attempts to bring down other candidates with the politics of personal destruction.

As one who has always felt the need to lead, I have certainly taken my share of broadside hits and rumors. But I learned about politics at an early age. I ran for president of my high school in Sonora. We had about 1,200 kids in the school. There were 1,480 votes cast. I lost by 14 votes. To my astonishment and heart break the administration of the school would not nullify the results even though the winner and his friends admitted to voting several hundred times. That was one of the best lessons I ever learned.

While there were no extra votes cast in this election, 5 votes difference was hard, but not devastating. In fact, when I came home, my three dogs, Annie, Lady and Cupid didn’t seem to notice at all.

There are many ways to serve. I’m going to do some coaching and do my best as a Board member of Tahoe Youth & Family Services. I’m also going to pass along to the School Board and Administration, the many issues, concerns and communications that 1,842 of you wanted me to work on. I hope you find ways to get involved, too.

Duane Wallace