Jan. 15, 2025, Letters to the Editor

Jacks Valley Elementary School staff thanked the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department for donating $5,000 for the school’s exploration classes.

Jacks Valley Elementary School staff thanked the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department for donating $5,000 for the school’s exploration classes.

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No resolution in Alpine museum dispute 

Editor:

As the new year begins, the Historical Society of Alpine County is sad to note that the Alpine Board of Supervisors rejected a settlement proposal in early December that would have ended the dispute that’s lingered between us for almost two years. That settlement proposal was jointly-crafted by two members of the Society, and two Supervisors, through 10 hours of intensive face-to-face negotiation. Unfortunately, the Board of Supervisors rejected that negotiated document and wrote up their own unilateral proposal. Sadly, this was filled with terms the Society had already strongly rejected, plus brand new unacceptable demands as well.

The Society is proud to have built the Alpine museum back in 1970, and to have enlarged and improved the museum complex over time. We are proud to own the artifacts inside that showcase our community’s rich history. While we value collaboration with the County, we are an independent organization, not County staff or contractors, and our role must reflect that independence. Without the Society and its artifacts, the museum everyone loves will be gone.

The museum serves an important public function by preserving Alpine’s history. It benefits everyone, tourists and residents alike. We continue to hope that the County will finally come to the table with open arms instead of a long list of unreasonable demands. Together, we could continue to make this one of the best small museums in California. 

The judge has ordered another settlement conference on Jan. 28, and we will of course participate in good faith. But if there is ever to be a negotiated solution, it must be long-term to keep us on a stable foundation, and it must be respectful of the society’s significant investment and participation as well as its separate and independent role. 

The Alpine County supervisors are here to serve the community, and we encourage everyone to share their thoughts and make their voices heard. Together, we can ensure decisions reflect the wishes and needs of the public. 

 Tom Sweeney, President

Historical Society of Alpine County


Whack-a-mole

Editor:

Back on Nov. 16, The R-C ran a story wherein our county manager explained how the budget works. I was left with the image of her playing whack-a-mole trying to fund this and that with no crumbs left.

Lo and behold two months later we have a story about the county renting-buying a movie theater, for a cultural center of sorts. Does anybody else wonder where the money will come from to fund same?

Rick Campbell

Gardnerville


Anglers Edge closing shop

Editor:

A decades-old local landmark is going away but not disappearing, the Anglers Edge Fly Shop has been a fixture here for almost three decades and has been an important resource and meeting place for Eastern Sierra fly fishers. It was started by Peter Bauer and for the last 20 years been owned and operated by Don and Liz Weirauch.  For three decades it has been a regular stop for the necessities of fly fishing, advice, or just plain good conversation. It was the kind of shop you could depend on for these things and always a nice place to spend a little time. So, recently when I went to take some pictures of the sign I was struck by how sad it was to look in the window and see it empty, no display cases, no racks of leaders and tippets, and no fly bins. Just bare walls and a pleasant memory.

 Although the storefront is closing Liz and Don are maintaining the essential services we all depend on, casting and rod building lessons, custom fly and rod orders, rod repair, and guiding service. They won’t be far away, so these services and more will be available via their website, www.theanglersedge.com. 

The Angler’s Edge played an important role in our area. Throughout the country many famous fly-fishing areas had a favorite gathering place. New York City had Jim Deren’s Angler’s Roost and the Catskill’s had the Antrim Lodge and Dette’s Flies in Roscoe, N.Y.  These places were very social, they provided a place to swap (and sometimes create) stories, meet old friends, get stuff, and generally feel right at home. And here we had the Angler’s Edge. I’ve spent many happy hours in the “Edge” and have many fond recollections of those times. My home waters are the Catskill mountains in New York and the nostalgia I have for the adventures of my fishing youth will now share a space with my fond memories of the “Edge”.  Sorry to see the shop close, but happy that Liz and Don will still be here to be part of the Eastern Sierra flyfishing scene.

Thanks for all those years of good advice, hospitality, and support for the fishing community activities. We’ll miss stopping by the Shop for those pleasant encounters.

Bob Taormina

Gardnerville


Genoa volunteers to the rescue

Editor:

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to The Genoa Volunteer Fire Department for their continued generosity and support of Jacks Valley Elementary School. This year’s generous donation of $5,000 will help enhance our Exploration classes, giving students exciting opportunities to learn and grow, while also providing much needed school supplies for our students. Your commitment to our school community makes a lasting difference, and we are immensely grateful for your partnership.

Veronica Griffith

On Behalf of Jacks Valley Elementary School