Tahoe Mountain News Candidate Profile | John Friedrich for SLT Council — John Friedrich for South Lake Tahoe City Council

Originally featured in Tahoe Mountain News

As part of their 2026 South Lake Tahoe City Council election coverage, Tahoe Mountain News published a candidate Q&A featuring John Friedrich. Below is the full, unabridged Q&A transcript detailing John's track record, priorities for housing and public safety, and his vision for South Lake Tahoe.

Candidate Bio

Name: John Friedrich
Age: 62
Occupation: Chief Development Officer, Skycharger (EV charging company)

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including:

Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Point neighborhood. We’ll build housing there instead.
Funded community assets: Our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village, and Lake Link.
Invested in roads: Spent as much on road repair per year as the City spent for 10 years prior.
Led on clean energy: Adopted the most ambitious renewable energy commitment of any municipal government in the country.
Protected public safety: Sustained seven firefighters at Station 2.
Fiscal accountability: Eliminated the City’s subsidy of the Airport by transferring more economic responsibility for paying for airport costs from taxpayers to airport users.
Environmental action: Passed one of the nation’s first bans on plastic water bottles.
Community connection: Founded the annual Multicultural Celebration.
Participatory budgeting: Utilized a participatory budget process to get input from nearly 1,000 residents about how the City should spend millions in Covid recovery dollars, resulting in funding for murals, extension of the Greenway Bike Trail, Bijou Skate Park renovation, and much more.

I’m running for Council again to build on these accomplishments, which also includes strong support for our hard-working police and fire departments, and city staff. I’ll represent our community and bring to life all the great ideas and potential that we together possess. Many heads are better than one.

I invite all residents to share their ideas for creating a better South Lake Tahoe at votejohnslt.com. I’ll create plans and goals that represent our shared aspirations. If elected, I’ll bring forward the “people’s platform” into the next strategic plan update. What we’ll accomplish, we’ll accomplish together.

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

Approximately 15.

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

My first action on Council in 2020 was leading the charge to adopt a resolution opposing the construction of the Loop Road through the Rocky Point neighborhood, or any other South Lake Tahoe neighborhood. For decades, the City had been told that we didn’t have control over this decision, even though we clearly did. Now, the City is supporting construction of a new affordable housing development on a vacant parcel next to 7-11/Tahoe Green/Taco Taqueria that was once going to be in the Highway 50 right of way. And we’ll use the City’s MOU with TRPA to utilize new density allowances for housing near town centers.

As the only incorporated jurisdiction in the Tahoe Basin, South Lake Tahoe is best positioned to lead the way in the region, whether for low-impact tourism, clean energy and transportation, housing locals can afford, supporting local businesses and our local economy, having visitors contribute more to repairing our roads, or revitalizing town centers.

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

Mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the City is one of the best examples of the need for strong collaboration with Tahoe agencies, including the Forest Service and CTC to perform fuels reduction/forest resilience projects at scale. It’s very important to maintain strong funding for our fire department, including for defensible space inspections and to respond quickly to fires before they become catastrophic. I’m proud of the fact that we took action on City Council (with Measure S funds) to sustain seven firefighters at Station 2, along with an updated communication system for police, fire and public works, and a computer aided police and fire dispatch system.

In addition to regional collaboration and defensible space work, the City should consider adopting a program like Truckee’s, which provides a local funding source for wildfire prevention and mitigation, including funding for homeowners to harden homes.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

I support local residents living in residential neighborhoods in homes they can afford. This will always be a top priority. I strongly supported affordable housing initiatives in my previous council term, including:

Built Sugar Pine Village at the Y
Stopped the Loop Road from displacing hundreds of residents in the Rocky Neighborhood, with plans to build new affordable housing in the previous highway right of way instead
Passed inclusionary zoning ordinance to incentivize construction of homes that are “affordable by design” (aka not monster homes)
Adopted a “Lease to Locals” program that gives incentives to second homeowners to rent to locals rather than leaving the home empty or creating a vacation rental

These initiatives earned South Lake Tahoe a prohousing community designation in 2024. I will build on these accomplishments with the following priorities:

Make it fast, easy, and affordable to build housing that locals can afford, like ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
Remove regulatory and financial barriers to building homes that are affordable by design (smaller with less environmental impact).
Build on programs like Lease to Locals that incentivize second home owners to rent their homes to local workers.
Design policies that encourage visitors to stay near community centers, and that maximize housing dedicated to locals in our neighborhoods.
Reduce fees and permitting requirements for renovation and rehabilitation of existing housing.

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

I agree with Abraham Lincoln that government should be of the people, by the people, for the people. I believe the role of city council is to facilitate the will of the community it serves, which is why I’m creating a “People’s Platform” based on input I’m gathering from a broad swath of our community. I’ll work to bring those hopes and ideas for the future of South Lake Tahoe into the City’s next strategic plan update following the election. The voters are our boss, so whatever ideas are brought forward by Councilmembers need to be grounded in the priorities of local residents. Measure N (the proposed vacancy tax) was an example of a proposed policy being out of alignment with voters, and the backlash against it changed the trajectory of Council.

I strongly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork, which requires listening and charting a path forward that incorporates many perspectives, including those of fellow councilmembers who represent the community in equal measure. That’s the approach I took in my previous term on city council, and I’m even more committed to leading in that way should I have the honor of representing our community again.

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan!

Candidate Background Verification

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a crime beyond a traffic ticket? No
Have you ever been held civilly liable beyond a small claims action? No
Have you ever been fired from a job for cause? No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No
Are there any of your old social media posts or online content that could be problematic? No

Read the full candidate feature and compare profiles directly on Tahoe Mountain News.

Featured Coverage: Meet City Council Candidate John Friedrich in Tahoe Mountain News

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?

Candidate Background Verification

Why are you running and why do you believe you are qualified to serve on the council?

In the past year, how many city council meetings have you attended or watched online?

How would you balance the need for regional collaboration in Tahoe with preserving local control for the city?

What is your plan for mitigating wildfire risk and preventing wildfires in the city?

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the city? Do we need to build more projects and/or make more of the existing housing stock in the city habitable and available for long term occupancy? If so, how would you accomplish that?

A councilmember alone cannot accomplish much on the council. How would you work constructively with other councilmembers to achieve your goals, even when you may not be in total agreement?

Fun Question: Who would play you on Saturday Night Live?