July 25th Community Update Meeting

Last night's community update meeting led by the "Keep June Open Coalition". Was sobering to say the least. There were CAC members, a couple of members of the Board of Supervisors, National Forest Service, MMSA representatives and our strong community.

A brief update about the last few meetings between Rusty Gregory, NFS and the Keep June Open Coalition was given by Coalition members. During these meetings it was repeated that MMSA is demanding air subsidy and more bed space and also there is LITTLE time for action. Acting for community the Coalition was concerned with giving them any subsidy and encouraged the county not to as well.

As for beds, the county can allow a Transient Occupancy Ordinance that would allow second homeowners to rent to vacationers.
The air service also didn't seem like much of an improvement for June Lake as well. How do we know if MMSA is going to pull a stunt like this again if their demands don't turn profit down the road? How can we trust MMSA profit over people thinking?

John Adams stated he had asked cab drivers at the airport how much a cab to June Lake would cost. and none could remember making a trip to June for a client.

Carl Williams echoed Rusty's gloom stating June Mountain will NOT open this winter season and might not open if these corporate needs were not met. "There just isn't enough time to get all the work done," Carl also stated, "these are trained people who get the ski lifts prepared for the winter season. Most have moved on to new jobs and lots are not even in the area"

Ed Armenta was asked if any letter of non-compliance was issued and if and when an audit would take place. Ed stated that there STILL had not been a letter issued and that an audit is still being planned that their person in charge of that had been on a two week vacation and had just arrived back to work that morning. But an auditor under the choosing of USFS could take place and be paid for by MMSA.

Before the meeting was opened up to a general discussion I read our letter to the community, addressed to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.
Our community outraged as they should be had lots of questions and ideas for both MMSA and NFS. So many that we decided to start a Visionary Committee where we can gather all of these ideas in one place. I am forming this community as we speak and do need volunteers.

With this being said we are a strong community and it is not too late. Dan Roberts made the statement that Dave McCoy had done more work when he purchased the resort in July of 1986. Dave got all the lifts inspected and operating, put in a new lift or two and even moved TONS of dirt around to make the resort more accessible.

The closing statement by Connie Black asked if the community wanted to move forward on our own or give MMSA their demands, the community overwhelmingly stated that they want to move forward and be independent and not have to suffer because of a corporate decision.