Readers Write: May 27, 2021

An open letter to all mountain residents

Dear editor:
I believe that most people who come to our beautiful mountain community are here for the peace, quiet, serenity and beauty of nature. The lovely sounds of birdsong, the playful sights of gliding ravens and dancing squirrels are very restful and can bring an inner soul peace.
Sadly, our small village is nearing a breaking point that is both troubling and frightening! Our mountain has very limited resources that are being severely taxed. It’s time for our community members to make a decision. Would you like to give the beautiful Strawberry Valley under the watchful eye of Lily Rock an opportunity to survive and thrive?
Or do you simply want to take as much as you can from our mountain in honor of the almighty dollar until there is nothing left?
Would you like to live in a community filled with love and good neighbors?
Or should we turn our single-family homes into short-term rentals and tightly packed apartments?
Do you enjoy quiet dog walks, bike rides and car drives on our peaceful streets?
Or will Southern California Edison contractors work here year-round trying to satisfy our never-ending demand for more electricity, leaving behind their waste and cutting every tree within view of a power line?
Do you want to keep our world-class hiking trails clean and close to nature?
Or should thousands of hikers pack our trails every weekend leaving trash and dog poop bags all over the wilderness?
Do you enjoy drinking clean mountain water directly from your tap?
Or will Strawberry Creek and our underground water supply continue to be impacted by septic seepage from overpopulation?
I realize that this sounds very black and white and there are many shades of gray. The only constant is change. I personally would like to see positive change that protects our wonderful mountain community that most of us truly love and respect.
Please share your views on this with others. If Mayor Max will not listen and act, contact Supervisor Washington. Hopefully he will do everything he can to protect the only mountain resort community in Riverside County. I will do everything I can. Will you?
Dave Hunt
Fourth generation Idyllwild Hillbilly

What Memorial Day is all about

Dear editor:
While we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many people will see Memorial Day as an opportunity to gather, celebrate and return to a sense of normalcy. However, Memorial Day is an important occasion each year. It is an opportunity to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. Military.
This year, while you celebrate with friends and family, we encourage you to remember what Memorial Day is all about. Take some time to reflect on the freedoms and liberties you enjoy and give thanks to those who sacrificed their lives to protect them.
The National Moment of Remembrance is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time each Memorial Day and presents a chance for all Americans to commemorate the fallen by pausing for a minute to remember those who so humbly gave their lives for the betterment of our country.
To learn how you can pay tribute not only on Memorial Day, but throughout each year, contact your local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.
John G. Lowe, state commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California

Loud music

Dear editor:
I completely agree with Sandy Reed’s letter regarding too much, too loud music. Years ago, there was a Chamber of Commerce in Idyllwild. I believe there was a rule that the music had to be inside the business, at a volume where it was not intrusive outdoors.
Unfortunately, the Chamber of Commerce went out of “business” and slowly the music got louder. Then came Jo-An’s, where IdyPark is now. They made this useless outdoor “concert stage.” The music that was played there could be heard all over town. There were so many complaints about the music and the volume, that after a long time, it finally stopped. The restaurant was torn down.
Now most businesses have a band or music outdoors in front of their building. The bands think they are putting on a concert and have lots of amplification. It’s all basically the same kind of music, so called “classic rock.” On the weekends it is just a lot of classic rock, on and on. Really loud. So, this morning, a Monday, I went for a cup of coffee at Higher Grounds, thinking I would sit outside, enjoy my coffee and the peace and quiet.
Suddenly in the gazebo, a couple of guys set up amplifiers suitable for a large outdoor concert. There were three people there drinking their coffee. The “musicians” started playing stupidly loud rock music, pretending they were doing a concert. I just had to get out of there. As Sandy Reed said, it was excruciating. I hope there is some way that the bands can be required to be inside the business’ building, playing at a volume that does not cover our town with constant, garage band music.
Michael Rasson
Idyllwild