Readers Write: June 24, 2021

Community not tribalism

Dear editor:
In the last five years, we have become a Nation belittled by tribalism caused by politics from both the left and right with thousands of intended misstatements — overt misrepresentation by all sides. We have entered the unparalleled crisis of our lifetime with the Covid-19. I read the basic economic indicators: hyperinflation, mass unemployment, mass homelessness, shortages on all commodities, four- to six-month shipping times, overall costs rising 30%, wood increasing 480% and grocery store shortages.
I believe how I grew up — self-sufficient, community support, helping your neighbor, your neighbor helping you — has all but been lost in this nation, and I believe it is time to get back to that.
I have spoken to many in our mountain paradise who expressed the same ideas that I have.
It is time for us to come together as a community and get back to seeing what we can do in case natural disasters or mass societal issues occur that look as though they are on the horizon.
After an exceptionally long military career and growing up in a community like this in Eastern Idaho where gardens, livestock, hunting and foraging were all part of how we had enough to eat, I believe it is time for the community to come together and start identifying those things that we need to maintain as a community like water, electricity and fuel just to name a few. Do we have plans in case riots or mass migrations happen? Commodities shortages? Storage for food, fuel, and such?
Maybe it is time for us to plan and speak to each other to see how we can best deal away with our tribalism and get back to community. Let us place Idyllwild before politics, color, orientation and religious ideas. Let us plan to protect our neighbors and neighborhoods.

Chad L. Shipley
Idyllwild

Covid vaccine

Dear editor:
A thought for those who claim the Covid vaccine is dangerous or unnecessary and a violation of their rights:
Why do the states that opened early, allow no masking, no distancing and large gatherings have the highest illness and death rates from the disease?
According to the CDC as of Sunday, June 13, Florida led death rates in the nation followed by Texas. Both rate among the lower in vaccination rates. (good news, California rates among the highest) You can check the CDC website for this information.

Diann Coate
Idyllwild

Noise complaint

Dear editor:
Regarding the photo and caption on page A3 of the June 17, 2021 issue – I’m a bit perplexed and concerned regarding the photo of the Riverside Sheriff’s officer seen talking to a security guard outside the Rustic Theatre and Entertainment Center Lot during an event on 6/12/21. A casual reader could interpret the comments that accompany the photo regarding a ‘noise complaint’ as factual. My own curiosity led to a conversation with Rustic staff, and I found myself witnessing an insistence by the Rustic staff that there was no actual noise complaint and the officer was acting in the capacity of educating the Rustic staff regarding noise regulations.
This may seem to be a mundane observation but the consequences of the photo and caption could lead Town Crier readers to think that there were noise complaint issues, which would be incorrect and irresponsible. I would like to think that publishing the photo and caption was not the normally thorough procedures used by Idyllwild Town Crier staff rather than kowtowing to residents that are not favorable to businesses that are providing live entertainment/music. Please be more diligent and provide factual content when publishing community interest news.

Patrick Drew
Idyllwild

Co-publisher Becky Clark’s response: Other than the security guard in the photo, I was the only other witness to what the officer said. Please see News of Record for that weekend where officers responded to multiple noise complaints.

Short-term rentals destroying character

Dear editor:
Short-term rentals are destroying the character, indeed, the very soul of Idyllwild. It used to be that we all knew our neighbors. We all felt a bit safer, and more secure, knowing that there was always someone nearby who would help us if we should need them. It was good to feel that our neighbors knew we were there to lend them a hand if need be.
Now, except for permanent homeowners, we don’t have a clue who is staying in the neighborhood. We see unfamiliar cars and faces, and we hope and pray that they adhere to the guidelines set forth by the rental agency. Rather than feeling secure, we are anxious.

For the past year, I have noticed more piles of dog poop. Some put the poop in a bag, then leave the bag! Also, careless smokers leave their cigarette butts on the ground. They might start a fire that could destroy our homes and town. I go out every couple of weeks and fill bags full of dog poop, cigarette butts and other trash.
If I understand the regulations correctly, one short-term rental can have as many as 16 guests, provided there is sufficient off-street parking and living space on the property. That’s a lot of toilet flushing, showering, dish washing, etc. Overuse of septic systems can result in ground pollution, and pollution of our creeks and natural waterways.
I have lived up here since the ‘70s, and we have always had a diverse population of all income brackets. If there are no long-term rentals, we will lose our labor force. Workers will have to drive up from off the Hill. What about in the winter? Will people have to put chains on, and take them off, everyday?
The working people who rent up here could always find a way to get to work, some even walk if the roads are too bad to drive.
It saddens me to think that those of us who love and cherish Idyllwild, and the surrounding area, will be overwhelmed by disrespectful people who feel they are entitled, and so they can come up here and destroy the personality of this precious place.

Kristy Frazier
Idyllwild