Editor:

This letter is an attempt to set the clock back about 10 days. I have always had a good relationship with the Town Crier, but this time I blew it.

In my e-mails to Becky, informing her the Summer Concerts were no longer going to advertise, I wrongly suggested that Ken Dahleen had made that decision, when in fact it was a joint decision of the Summer Concert board.

I am a member of that board and agreed to the motion of not placing ads. Our reasoning was simple: Creating an ad every week was one more thing on our already full plates and I, for one, was thrilled to no longer have that weekly deadline. Our decision was in no way intended to alienate the TC.

For the past 18 years, the TC has graciously given up revenue-producing ad space in exchange for a concert sponsorship. No ads, no sponsorship. Our decision was not thought through and was a disgraceful way to treat a long-standing,  mutually beneficial relationship. I sincerely apologize, to Becky, Jack, the TC staff and to Ken.

In point of fact, the TC has consistently offered to create our ads for us, especially when the deadline was imminent and I had fallen behind. I’m hopeful that this situation can somehow be rectified.

The Summer Concerts are a highlight of summer activity in Idyllwild. Without Ken Dahleen and our generous sponsors, including the Town Crier, there would be no Summer Concerts.

Pete Holzman

Idyllwild

Editor:

Becky, I am amazed at reading the story about Ken. As you may recall, when Pete Capparelli and I purchased the old Hemet bank where the new village center is, we were thrilled to let Ken have the first concerts there. I remember helping him to set up.

If this is how he acknowledges the contributions of all who have supported this event, then Kate and I are more than happy to meet you for dinner on any of the Thursday night(s) of your choice and talk about the good old days when loyalty meant something.

I realize the paper business has enough troubles these days. Without local citizens realizing the importance of a community paper and working together for the good of all makes me more than sad. I don’t know why he would choose to alienate you and Jack. The fact that you keep the town informed of literally everything  we need to know is so important that I fail to understand what could possibly be his reason.

If it’s about not wanting to give you a free sponsorship in exchange for free advertising, then perhaps it’s a big mistake on his part. My guess is the concert revenue will suffer from this decision. I always thought the concert series was a nonprofit enterprise for the town. I fail to see how, for whatever reason this decision to alter a beneficial arrangement makes any sense. What am I missing here? We are living in strange times. I am sorry for us all. We appreciate you both for trying to do the right thing.

Vic Sirkin

Idyllwild

Editor:

First off, good morning. Secondly, too bad about that whole Summer Concert thing with Ken. You guys bend over backward for this community, I just don’t get it. Sorry as a local that knows how much you and Jack love this community you get treated that way…..it isn’t right! We’re one big family up here on this mountain.

We appreciate you putting the info into the TC on the roads, etc., for the parade. Sometimes folk don’t thank you and you folks go out of your way.

It needs to go on record that a lot of us really do appreciate the TC and you have been a great friend to Rotary, the entire club really appreciates it.

Chuck Weisbart

Idyllwild

Editor:

To those who put on the laser show Tuesday night, you did not clear this with the Cahuilla Tribal Council first. If you had, you would have been told that Lily Rock is a sacred site to them and doing a light show on it would be seen as an act of desecration.

You also did not ask long-term residents of Idyllwild like myself (lived here since 1968) what we thought. If you had, you would have been told no.

Our mountain is beautiful exactly the way it is. It is unique in Southern California. We don’t need to amp it up with light shows or silly displays that are meant to attract tourists, I presume. For God’s sake, leave it alone.

Matthew Wettlaufer

Idyllwild

Editor:

How wonderful that we live in a country where we are permitted to publicly celebrate our freedom. Even more special is the fact that our town comes together once a year with a parade to celebrate as a community.

For me, the American flag is an emotional symbol that commands complete respect and honor. I am from a long line of patriotic Americans who have passed the love of country and its symbols to those coming up in the next generation.

Unfortunately,for most, flag etiquette seems to be a thing of the past. In the process of loving and celebrating our freedom, parade participants were unknowingly disrespecting the flag, all of the military members who watched from the sidelines and the generations of Americans who paid the ultimate price for the flag.

The flag was inappropriately displayed in a number of ways ,including being worn as a cape by a couple of patriots. However, the most alarming display was watching the flag being used as a sort of pom-pom and drug across the asphalt as the flag waver spun and twirled with glee. This is not the fault of the young girl waving the flag, it is the responsibility of her elders to convey the proper care and respect of our most important American symbol.

Perhaps next year, the good folk at the American Legion could put out a flier on flag etiquette for those participating in the Independence Day festivities. Until then, here is a link from The Old Farmer’s Almanac: www.almanac.com/content/american-flag-guidelines. There are dozens of sites rife with information regarding flag care and etiquette.

Let’s give our flag the respect it deserves.

Patsy Bauman

Idyllwild