Proposal to Change South Lake Tahoe City Seal Sparks Debate
A proposal to correct a decades-old error in the city seal of South Lake Tahoe, California, has ignited an emotional debate among city officials and residents.
Background of the Seal Error
When South Lake Tahoe was founded in 1965, its city seal inaccurately depicted the Lake Tahoe border, an error that has persisted for 60 years.
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 custodian of the seal, fighting back tears. “And remains a powerful emblem of who we are.”
Scott Robbins, a city council member, offered a contrasting view: “We're just going to fix an error that went overlooked for the last 60 years.”
Public Opinion and Frustration
Resident Scott Loberg expressed frustration that the change is even being debated, stating:
“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.'”
Additional Context
- The city seal is distinct from the city logo, which can be updated independently at any time.
- The city council plans to discuss and possibly approve the proposed seal change at their next meeting on November 18.
Summary: The long-standing error in South Lake Tahoe’s city seal has stirred emotional debate, reflecting a broader challenge between honoring history and correcting mistakes.