Proposal to Change Decades-Old City Seal Sparks Debate in South Lake Tahoe
A proposal to correct a 60-year-old mistake in South Lake Tahoe's city seal has ignited passionate discussions among city officials and residents.
Historical Background
When South Lake Tahoe was founded in 1965, the city seal was created with an inaccurate depiction of the Lake Tahoe border. This error has remained unnoticed until now.
City Council Meeting Reactions
During the city council meeting on Tuesday, the proposal to amend the seal met resistance and emotional responses.
"The city seal has stood as the link between our past and present. It has marked every chapter of our city's history," said Susan Blankenship, the city clerk and custodian of the seal, fighting back tears. "And remains a powerful emblem of who we are."
Scott Robbins, a member of the city council, offered a different view:
"We're just going to fix an error that went overlooked for the last 60 years."
Public Opinion
Frustration also surfaced among residents regarding the controversy over the seal.
"When I go to the store, when I go to the bar, when I go to the restaurant, anywhere, to the hospital — wherever, I haven't heard one person say, 'We need to change the damn seal,'" said local resident Scott Loberg.
Additional Details
- The city seal differs from the city’s logo, which can be changed anytime without similar controversy.
- The city council plans to discuss and possibly approve the seal change at their next meeting on November 18.
Author's summary: The longstanding error in South Lake Tahoe's city seal has divided opinion, with some viewing it as a vital symbol of history and others as a fixable mistake.