DUNNING STICKS FOR DEVELOPERS

Credit as an engine of the economy is not a new concept-- studies of ancient texts reveal quite complex systems of borrowing and lending.  These concepts were known to the Nisenan Maidu Hill Tribes of the surrounding areas, and they had a unique version of the dreaded letter from the collection agency suggesting the advisability of remitting payment very,very soon.  A recalcitrant borrower from a Nisenan Maidu lender could expect a rude awakening-- the creditor would toss "Dunning Sticks" -- into the debtor's dwelling in the middle of the night to send the hint that payment was overdue.  Pictures of dunning sticks show 5 or 6 sticks joined with a natural cord--in a ladder-like arrangement.  Now, as my extensive knowledge of this practice is based on a graffiti covered forest service display on an overlook on Highway 20, I can't say whether the number of sticks was related to the size of the debt, the desired noise in the stillness of the night, or the whim of the creditor.

I'd like to embrace this concept of dunning sticks, and to suggest the manufacture of a set of dunning sticks to throw into the dwelling place of Donner Summit developers Kirk Syme, Todd Foster, and Royal Gorge LLC, reminding them of the debt they owe to the land, to the past peoples of the land, and to the future.

Stick number one: The meadow now called Van Norden Meadow was a hunting ground, a passageway, and summering area for tribes extending all the way back to the ancient Martis complex, as evidenced by petroglyphs and grinding stones.  The developers owe these people the respect of not flooding the meadow yet again, refraining from adding insult to the injury of the early 1900's dam.

Stick number two: This same meadow, then know as Summit Valley, is a vital link to the history of the many emigrants who successfully weathered the hardships of the long trip to California, and to the memory of those who were not so fortunate.  Donner Summit developers owe them, and those of us who value the toils of the early emigrants, the protection of this important Emigrant Trail historical site- not the damming of it to water condominiums and to dilute sewage effluent.

Stick number three: Van Norden Meadow is rich in biodiversity, providing feeding, and breeding grounds for numerous species, and a corridor for movement of wildlife.  Kirk Syme, Todd Foster, and investors owe protection to the wildlife dependent upon the land they purchased, which they had recently promised to save as open space.

Stick number four: Global warming is already having devastating consequences, as demonstrated by the increasing perils of polar bears due to ice melt.  Adding over 1000 new dwellings, and hotels will only increase car trips into the Sierra, and will accelerate global warming.  As many of these units will be fractional/time shares, every single weekend will see a new carload of people driving up Hwy 80, contributing to the thawing of the very snow they sought to ski upon.  These developers owe future Californians the duty of not speeding up global warming.

Stick number five: There could be a looming glut of second homes in the greater Tahoe area, as each developer races to entitle and complete their projects.  Credit for home purchasing has been tightening, and the rash of foreclosures in the state is sending ripples up the housing market.  There is a very real risk of communities being left with half-finished white elephant condo-communities- a special mountain version of urban blight.  Royal Gorge LLC should take a hard look at economic reality, what they owe their investors, and what they owe the local community, so we are not left with a devastated, eroded mountain, and ghostly courtyards of condominiums and time shares.

Dunning sticks for the Royal Gorge developers- Summit residents could probably come up with enough ideas to build a ladder to the stars.