The article by the Reno Gazette-Journal which can be found here article paints a vivid picture of events that took place. Here is a summary.
The Olympic Valley, which is also home to the Squaw Valley Ski Resort, has been through some tough times in recent years. Both unfavourable weather conditions and the looming incorporation battle have placed the community in a difficult spot. Both residents and small business’s have felt it. Andy Wirth who is the president and CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Resort has been leading the battle against incorporation as he says this could lead to further problems such as high taxes and the loss of necessary services that allow business’s to function. These services include road maintenance and snow plowing. However Mr Wirth’s efforts have held of the incorporation and weather has been favourable of late allowing business’s to open much earlier in the season. On the other side, those in favour of incorporation say that Squaw Valley Resort had its own reason to stop incorporation as they have plans for community and residential development and the construction of a gondola service. Mr Wirth came out ahead and incorporation is no longer a threat. He says efforts can be made now to focus on matters at hand that will benefit the community as a whole.
Andy Wirth has been very involved in both environmental and community services in order to make the Olympic Valley one of the top winter vacation spots in the world. His plans to build a gondola connecting the Squaw Valley with the Alpine Meadows area has been something visitors have dreamed of for decades. This will make the visitors experience one to remember as it will allow them ease of access to the entire two mountain ranges.
Andy Wirth is also involved in leading up the community known as Wounded Warrior Support. This Navy Seals foundation was formed during his recovery from a near fatal skydiving accident where he came into contact with local Navy Seals. He says that the friendships he created allowed him to get through the tough time. Therefore he would like to give back to the members and their families upon their return from deployment. Without them he says his recovery would not have been possible. The foundation thanks the Navy Seals for their efforts.