To the community,

A few weeks back I did something that I have never before done in my 54 years of life, the past 32 of which have been spent raising two sons, living, working, recreating, and being a participant in our community here in the city of South Lake Tahoe. I did something that I had never ever felt compelled to do. I made a contribution to a campaign for an elected official.

I’ve endorsed candidates before openly in local press. I’ve displayed election signs for various measures and candidates in my yard. But in this election I felt so passionately about doing in my small way what I could to get Austin Sass elected to the South Lake Tahoe City Council that I contributed to his campaign. Although a small donation (which anyone who looks will find listed in the contribution section of Sass’s candidate financial statement), it was my way of showing my community that I believe so strongly that Austin Sass should be elected that I was willing to invest in it. Now when I say invest I’m talking about an investment that I believe will pay off in spades when it comes to the quality of life that I, my family, and my fellow community members can look forward to here in South Lake Tahoe should Austin Sass be elected to a seat on our City Council.

Two years ago when Sass was narrowly defeated and was denied a council seat that I and many voters felt should be rightly given to him when a sitting council member, with two years left on her term, resigned weeks after the election. Sass eagerly jumped through every hoop that the sitting council members required for their “appointment” process. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that Sass was very disappointed and even somewhat disillusioned about his desire to run for a council seat in the future, and in my mind rightly so. Now I want to point out that I used the term “somewhat” because when weeks after that election two years ago we talked and I opined that he should give it one more shot in 2014 his head and mouth said, “I don’t know.” But his eyes told me yes.

Perseverance, dedication, qualified on every level required of a council member, and most of all, passionately cares for his community and wants to do his part to create a sustainable path for the future generations of South Lake Tahoe community members. Anyone who has read any of his interviews or has attended any of the candidate forums knows that Sass is highly versed in the current issues facing the council, agencies and regulations involved in the Basin, and has a firm grasp on the processes to achieve the best outcome for the members of our community both residential and business.

Not only has Austin received the endorsement of Lake Tahoe News, but also Taylor Flynn of the Tahoe Mountain News. Well, and of course mine!

In closing, I want to urge each and every member of our South Lake Tahoe community registered to vote, to not only vote Nov. 4, but to make sure that you make one of your three choices Austin Sass for city of South Lake Tahoe City Council member.

Toogee Sielsch, South Lake Tahoe