Proposal to Correct City Seal Sparks Debate in South Lake Tahoe
A proposal to fix a decades-old error in the city seal of South Lake Tahoe, California, has ignited a passionate discussion among city officials and residents.
Background of the Issue
The city seal, created when South Lake Tahoe was founded in 1965, inaccurately depicted the Lake Tahoe border. This longstanding mistake has prompted a formal proposal to correct the seal.
City Council Meeting Reactions
“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 seal custodian, fighting back tears. “And remains a powerful emblem of who we are.”
In contrast, Scott Robbins of the city council advocated for the update, stating, "We're just going to fix an error that went overlooked for the last 60 years."
Community Response
Some residents expressed frustration that such a debate is even occurring. Resident Scott Loberg remarked:
“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.'”
Next Steps
The city seal is distinct from the city logo, which is more easily changed. The city council plans to discuss and possibly approve the seal amendment at their meeting on November 18.
Summary: The proposed correction of South Lake Tahoe's city seal, highlighting a decades-old inaccuracy, has divided officials and residents ahead of a council vote on November 18.