As Eastern Placer community members we share much in common. Most importantly, we are all passionate and committed to this place we call home - the environment, the people and the community. These past few years of political and economic turmoil have been hard for our community in so many ways; worsening not just our long-standing problems like housing but our faith that they are solvable. Yet if we truly care about this place, we can’t throw up our hands and give up. It is time to come together and see if we can again find collaboration on the issues we need to face.

In my 40 years of living and working here I’ve seen many controversies and debates. Whether it was sidewalks in Tahoe City and Kings Beach, or Lakeside and Homewood bike trails, the public acquisition of Tahoe City Golf Course, or even Commons Beach restoration, projects were challenged, the subject of controversy, heated debate and sometimes even litigation. But ultimately, they were completed and are now part of the fabric of our communities. 

Reflecting on those times I know we can find solutions to our current issues, as we always have before. But it seems what has changed - and now may be our biggest challenge - is engaging our community in true dialogue.

Fear and anger are easy to spread but the challenges we face are not easy to solve. Social media has become a weapon versus a place for earnest discussion, learning and compromise.  I hope we can once again find ways to engage each other in respectful dialogue and in a civil manner. It’s far too easy to villainize people and their motives when not meeting them face to face and seeking a full understanding of the challenges and the limitations.    

We are not alone in our crisis of workforce housing. Throughout our state communities are seeking housing solutions. Those of us who came to the area before the 2000s arrived here when housing prices and wages were in alignment and that allowed us to rent and then buy our own homes.  We became the middle class and were also able to help donate our free time to many efforts that built a thriving community.  We were a generation of problem-solvers. We established businesses and careers, coached our youth, fought to improve our community – started the very first parcel tax for the schools, the Excellence in Education Foundation, bonds for school and hospital improvements, environmental nonprofits, and many other community programs and projects. 

Now we have a challenge to face for the future of this community.  Helping find true housing solutions that allow for the next generation to set down roots here and carry on in all the above efforts as well as find new ways to care for this community and environment.  We must find solutions. Public policy cannot be developed through a “my way or the highway” approach. It must be about balancing what is needed with what is desired and feasible.

We can’t cover all the issues and challenges in this one newsletter but I am and have always been willing to meet in person and go through each and every concern – respectfully and civilly.  In that spirit, after the holidays we will facilitate some “community conversations” in person to discuss current topics. I hope that many who have written letters, social media posts and articles will make the time to attend and participate in problem-solving the way we have conquered the other challenges we have faced. I know we can find solutions by listening and learning from each other.  

As your representative, I approach this job just the way I have spent my life and career here – seeking to serve and looking for collaboration and compromise. I have been, and will continue to be working in service to you.

Wishing you the very happiest of holiday seasons,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

Meetings/Events:

• 24 internal meetings
• 39 external meetings
• 7 board meetings
• 6 MAC meetings
• 16 events

Casework: 70 constituent cases

Ensuring you are ready for the winter months is crucial. Explore our Ready Placer website for advice on creating a winter “go kit,” enrolling in Placer Alert, home/vehicle/travel preparation, road and weather conditions, current incidents, and many additional helpful tips and tools. LEARN MORE

In June, Palisades Tahoe announced its new Reserve N Ski reservation-based parking program for weekends and holidays in both Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows. The program aims to improve the overall experience for visitors and residents during busy ski days by reducing the number of cars on the road and encouraging guests to carpool and use alternative transportation options. This week, our board added to regional efforts to alleviate traffic congestion by approving a parking management agreement with Palisades Tahoe to provide back-up enforcement of the resort’s new parking program. LEARN MORE

Placer County celebrated the completion of the Lower Secline Water Quality Improvement Project in Kings Beach -- a project designed to reduce sediment flow into the lake to improve water clarity. The project brought needed drainage infrastructure to both Secline Street and Brockway Vista Drive to help prevent an estimated 2,000 pounds of sediment runoff from reaching Lake Tahoe per year. It also stabilized both roadways and added pavement, curbs and gutters, new sidewalks and parking for beachgoers. LEARN MORE

Six new trails, transportation and workforce housing projects in eastern Placer have received funding to move forward – paid for with $4.2 million in revenue from transient occupancy tax collected in North Lake Tahoe. The Placer County Board of Supervisors last week authorized spending a total of $4.2 million for the projects using revenue from transient occupancy tax collected in North Lake Tahoe. By long-standing county policy, all TOT revenue collected in eastern Placer County is reinvested in eastern Placer County. LEARN MORE

Building on the success of the popular engraved bears along the Tahoe East Shore Trail, the Tahoe Fund recently announced a partnership with Placer County to install personalized bear plaques along the railings in Tahoe City’s Heritage Plaza to raise funds for trails in the Placer County region of North Lake Tahoe. The bear plaques are available in two sizes. For $5,000, the Mama Bear plaque measures 13 inches tall by 20 inches wide and has space for a 40-45 character message. For $2,500, the Baby Bear plaque measures 8 inches tall by 12 inches wide and has space for a 20-25 character message. LEARN MORE

The Placer County Board of Supervisors on November 28 approved a project proposal to place two murals along a section of the Truckee River Trail passing under the Truckee River Bridge in eastern Placer County. Known as the Truckee River Bridge Mural Project, the proposed artwork would be located beneath the bridge at each side along the trail’s undercrossings, visible to those using the trail or river. The project proposal was brought forward by the nonprofit Fox Cultural Hall, formerly Arts For The Schools, which has served the North Lake Tahoe region for nearly 40 years. LEARN MORE

Exciting news from Library Services! Both the Kings Beach and Tahoe City Libraries expanded their hours. Tahoe Library staff also began facilitating weekly Baby Lapsit programs in addition to their regular weekly Preschool Storytimes. LEARN MORE

NEW HOURS:
• Tues, Wed, Thurs: 10am-6pm (closed for lunch 1-2pm)
• Fri & Sat: 10am-6pm (closed for lunch 1-2pm)

MACs provide a local forum where residents can attend meetings in their own community and talk about issues that are important to them.  These meetings are a great venue where land use, transportation and general county information is shared, discussed and where the MAC members may make recommendations on those topics and more. LEARN MORE + APPLY TODAY

North Tahoe District 5 / Seat #6 of the Library Advisory Board is currently vacant and open for recruitment. The Advisory Board's purpose is to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Placer County Director of Library Services concerning policies and procedures for the operation of the County Free Library System. Meetings will be held the second month of each quarter. LEARN MORE + APPLY TODAY

Join the Tahoe Public Works team! We are looking for four (4) seasonal temporary/extra-help Parking Enforcement Officers. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time opportunities may also be available in the future. Candidates who have at least one (1) year of experience interacting with the public are encouraged to apply. Experience in a law enforcement agency is desirable, but not required. Compensation: $29.70 - $37.09/hour. APPLY NOW!

For additional information and to apply, please visit our website at www.JobsAtPlacerCounty.com. For questions or assistance, please email jobs@placer.ca.gov or call (530) 886-4692.