There were no angry attacks and not many questions Wednesday night when the Mammoth Town Council finally brought the issue of the $42 million lawsuit judgment to a public meeting. Mammoth people did express concern and fear for the future. Officials talked about a careful process to preserve Mammoth’s economy and ability to function as a town. They also brought up mediation and the wide gap between the Town and its creditor, Mammoth Lakes Land Acquisition.
Town Manager Dave Wilbrecht assured the community that the closed session process of discussing this major issue must take place because of confidentiality considerations and the need for the Town Council to speak openly to each other in private.
Financial Consultant Marianna Marysheva-Martinez told the audience that the Town has retained the international law firm of Fulbright and Jaworski which specializes in business and government law. She said Mammoth has also hired a special counsel and consultant, Ken Klee, famous for his bankruptcy cases. He represented Orange County and has now filed the largest public bankruptcy case in U.S. history in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Martinez said Fulbright and Jaworski had recommended that the Town restructure with an eye on long term financial obligations and come up with a global solution for town government and the MLLA debt. She said while MLLA may have said negotiations have stopped, the Town does not see it that way. Martinez also said that earlier in the day, the Town had sent MLLA a letter indicating that the two sides are so far apart that it might be time for both sides to be brought closer through mediation.
Martinez had much earlier said that the Town would deal with MLLA in three phases – negotiation, mediation or bankruptcy. Bankruptcy, she said, is only a last resort. Later in the one-hour discussion, Terry Stehlik stood up to say that if what Mammoth wants to retain through a negotiated settlement is basic services, there needs to be a definition. She said the Town can’t maintain its tourist economy with just “basic services.” Stehlik said with the economic downturn and no snow, it’s “scary out there.”
Councilman Rick Wood said, “It really does come down to the definition of what is basic.” He said that the differences in opinion over this are the “heart of the gap between the two sides.” Wood assured the public that the Council does not see basic as just “plowing roads and filling potholes.”
Some eight people asked questions and made comments. John Vereuck said that he saw charts which show skier visits at an all time low, that TOT is down along with sales and property taxes. Offers to MLLA, he said, should be lower now.
Others had concerns that the Town might not pay its contractors. Steve Searles brought up the actual worth of the Town as an issue. Dave Harvey expressed concern about protection of development of air service.
Councilman John Eastman promised more public discussions of this issue, and he said his goal is to reach closure of some type in a few months.
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This is what happens when you have a foolish out of control government
Why ?? because of a over priced not needed sewer plant”
“Jefferson County officials say more than 600 county employees received letters this week saying their jobs could be among 180 that will be permanently eliminated.
630 county employees got the letter, including 180 who were put on administrative leave without pay last summer. The letter warns that their positions may be eliminated or they may be bumped by someone with more seniority who might return to work in place of a current employee.
County manager Tony Petelos says workers are concerned by the letters. But he said the cash-strapped county, which has filed for bankruptcy, must make cuts.
Kathy Burleson, president of the County Employees Association, says the letters are causing additional anxiety for employees after cuts last year.
GGW
I don’t think many will be surprised when the Town eventually files bankruptcy. We are just going through all the necessary steps first. How are we going to afford 30- 42 million?
“She said Mammoth has also hired a special counsel and consultant, Ken Klee, famous for his bankruptcy cases. He represented Orange County and has now filed the largest public bankruptcy case in U.S. history in Jefferson County, Alabama.”
The writing is on the wall folks
GGW
You nailed it, Reality Bites, “They bought the lawsuit, they are not the victim of anything.”
This is just one reason why this whole case is so disgusting to me. MLLA were not the original developers; they bought the rights to sue, as I understand it.
When the ToML refused to settle out of court w/ the original developer, he decided against a lengthy/costly trial and sold his rights to MLLA.
MLLA are just parasites and I hope they never see a penny of money from our town.
Where’s the torch and pitchfork mob when you need them?
LOL Ken
The town has offered them land. They refused to take it. They want cash only. They don’t care if the town is destroyed, they want money.
They bought the lawsuit, they are not the victim of anything.
If MLLA had been allowed to build what they wanted or planned, rather than rich they would have been broke by now. Is anyone from Mammoth getting a commission on the deal?
=
Just give the morons some land… when they build there will be no tourist’s left and the locals that remain will boycott these shamsters.
How do the people at MMLA sleep at night… karma is going to get them in the end. You can count on it.