Anorga -- John's story

unedited 1/08 Tahoe Mt. News story:

Editor's note: This is a monthly article following one of the hundreds of people who lost their homes in the Angora Fire in summer 2007.

By Kathryn Reed

Sprinklers. It’s the one word that is preventing John Mauriello from being able to say he will rebuild.
At a meeting last month regarding rebuilding in the burn area he and a couple friends sat with body language that looked like they wanted to hurt the speakers who explained the rules about when sprinklers are needed in single family residences.
“Everyone says you people are not fire victims, you are fire survivors,” Mauriello said in early January. “And they are right. But because of the stupid politicians they make us the victims. You don’t know how livid I am because of those sprinklers.”
He doesn’t understand why Lake Valley Fire Department didn’t grant a reprieve of sorts for Angora re-builders – at least the ones who will have less than 5,000 square feet. At that size state law requires sprinklers. And as of Jan. 1, the state’s codes are as strict as the fire department’s.
Water pressure from fire hydrants plays a significant role along with square footage as to who needs sprinklers.
After Mauriello had time to digest what was said at the Dec. 17 meeting, he was still angry.
On Dec. 22 he said, “Give every property owner a special assessment to update the water system. Give us five years to pay it off with a tax bill or grandfather us in. Why should I have to spend $20,000 (on sprinklers) because of an antiquated water system? Insurance premiums will go up with sprinklers because of water damage.”
Despite his bitterness and caustic vocabulary when it comes to sprinklers, Mauriello filed plans with the county building department on Dec. 28. The place would be about 1,800 square feet – 100 more square feet than what he had on Mount Olympia Circle.
Having the paperwork in by the end of the year means he gets in under the old building codes. Plans are valid for a year. But he’s not sure if the plans will collect dust.

Holiday spirit

Mauriello is finding camaraderie among the 256 homeowners who lost their homes when an illegal campfire set off a 3,100 inferno that ripped through the middle class neighborhood.
He went to the now closed relief center at the old Mikasa building for a party for survivors in early December.
“No one ever talks about the kids. I know how I would be if I was yanked out of my whole environment and not old enough to understand,” he said days after the event.
Later in the month he had a party at his rental, which is walking distance from his vacant lot.
“I’m so rusty it’s ridiculous,” Mauriello said as he stroked the ivory keys of his grand piano to an appreciative crowd that had gathered.
It seemed so appropriate he delved into “White Christmas” because forecasters said that’s what we’d have – and they were right.
The piano is situated such that he can either hide behind the sheet music or look to his right to see Angora Ridge.
In the short time he has resided at the Snow Mountain Drive residence it has the feel of home. Art is on the walls. Furniture invites guests to spend time in front of the fire. Smells wafting from the kitchen are evidence his culinary prowess has not been lost.
Losing everything does put things into perspective. A couple wall hangings and pieces of kitchenware Mauriello had given his friend and now roommate Bob have been reclaimed. They represent the few tangible things he had from his life pre-June 24.
Christmas day was quiet for the retired 69-year-old bachelor. New Year’s Eve was spent with friends at his place.

Life in Tahoe

Mauriello hand wrote a thank you note to the Lake Tahoe Angora Fund board for money they gave him. In part it says, “Feeling alone with no clothing, no money, no spirit and in complete despair, volunteers and organizations like yourself were there not only to offer help, but more important to offer hope.”
Keeping with tradition, he made no New Year’s resolutions. But he knows this month will be full of appointments – doctors and insurance related.
He’s getting back outside to enjoy winter at the Lake. A cross country ski class may be part of his routine this quarter at Lake Tahoe Community College.
“I went snowshoeing the other day. That was fantastic,” Mauriello said. “The gym is paying off. It was not half as difficult as it was a couple years ago.”