November 15, 2011

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "City fighting a 
losing ballot battle"

Maurice Emmer:

"I am a conservative for election transparency. I naively thought citizens usually could trust elected officials to honor transparency, as it enhances their legitimacy and public trust; it makes their jobs easier. I was wrong and our liberty is threatened by what I have learned.

Unlike at least one member of City Council, according to news reports, I read the entire unanimous opinion of the Colorado Court of Appeals in Marks v. Koch. It didn’t take long — it is only 16 double-spaced pages. Did council members read it before hastily voting to proceed with a further costly appeal? The city had 45 days to appeal, and yet rushed an unannounced private meeting and vote to move ahead with an appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court without any open hearings from the public.

The Court of Appeals opinion is well reasoned and thorough. As with any good judicial opinion, it summarizes key facts, states the arguments, analyzes each argument applying relevant law and states a conclusion on each argument. It is not complicated; it is not based on anyone’s political viewpoint or vendetta. It is a straightforward legal analysis and opinion. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the issues on either side...."

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "On ballots, magic and transparency"

That's the trouble with only performing partial duty.  When you are a public servant, in a position of trust and you do not fulfill all of your duty, sooner or later the layers you've piled on by not will begin to fall away.

Great letter to the Aspen Times from elections activist Marilyn Marks on the duality that resides in the depths of Aspen City Hall.

"With such obvious inconsistencies underlying the closed door decision to appeal, it's no wonder that the five councilmen refused to allow the requested and required public comment session prior to their court filing. Who would want to face the simple question from the public: “Were you telling the real story two years ago or when you filed your appeal? It can't be both.”

Their other claims, just as absurd, will be referenced in future letters...."
(Marilyn Marks)

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Marks wants to see latest Pitkin County ballots"

You go, girl.

"Marks, meanwhile, predicted the issue will wind up before the state Legislature. She said she met Monday with the Colorado Press Association regarding her push, as well as with legislative lobbyists...."
(Janet Urquhart)

You know, in the way of rightful things, want to bet the high court moves fast to knock down the City of Aspen's appeal?

How grand that would be!

The City of Aspen could then stop violating the high court's order to pay Marks her attorney costs to date.
  
Then, the citizens of Aspen could sleep better at night with the relief that Mayor Mick would be finally contained,  the feds weren't preparing to march on Aspen and haul the folks away for their leaders violating the high court's order.

You go, girl.

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "State: Marilyn Marks owes more than $55,000 in taxes"

EEEWWW!!!  aaghh!!...how gross and disgusting!!

Picking up our beloved Aspen Daily News and seeing them prostituting themselves in what must be a race to compete in the same genre as corporate competitors is like pouring a great big glass of cold milk to wash down chocolate cake and the first swig tells you that you've got a mouth full of sour milk.

And it's Chad Abraham who has stooped to such gutter lows.  OMG!!  EEEWWWW!!!

Eh, do you think that just maybe if the City of Aspen was not in defiance of a court order and paid the attorney's fees they owe Marilyn Marks that she might find the financial relief  helpful?

How about a follow-up story on that twist to this tabloid style wonder?

Call out Marolt!  Call out Boyd!!  Call out Madden!!  This demise, this fall from grace is opinion worthy!

SandBox Nanny just poured a hefty shot in her cuppa to help her make it through the rest of the day's postings.  How sad, how tragic the loss of credibility at the Daily, even for just a day.


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SandBox Comments: Garco Sheriff "K-9"

How many of you knew Garfield County Sheriff has such a terrific K9 force?

The original K9 hero?  Dual purpose German Shepherd, K9 Kelo, handled by Commander Bill Middleton.

Then came K9 Drogen.  And the latest addition of K9 Cio.

Sgt. Jim Schuckers oversees the K-9 program. Started the K9 Handler School with K9 Toben and his current partner is K9 Falcos.

Cpl. Brent Baker is paired up with one year old K9 Ejon, a German Shepard from Slyvokia.

Corporal Josh Craine originally partnered with K9 Drogen.  Now, his partner is K9 Cio (pronounced "see-yo".

Corporal Chad Whiting and K9 Bak were certified as a team through the Colorado Police Canine Association.

Commander Kurt Conrad received his K9 Handler Training with the help of K9 Toben.  His current partner K9 Blitz is the county’s only explosives detection K9.

Garco Sheriff:

"...The K9 Unit is a tremendous asset to the department’s work in narcotics interdiction, fugitive investigation, helping ensure a particular area is free of explosives, and locating evidence and lost articles. The unit routinely works with the School Resource Officers throughout the county, as well as public demonstrations at community events. In addition to assisting patrol deputies in day to day operations the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office regularly works with and assists the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team, (TRIDENT), the Colorado State Patrol, (CSP), and the various municipal agencies throughout Garfield County..."

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Ski pass price unreasonable"

Ruth Harrison of Aspen asks the question inquiring minds have wanted to know the answer to for years:

"Editor:

The Aspen ski pass price is one of the highest in the country (not fair to quote the chamber price). Instead of offering so many different passes and racking your brains on how to increase skier visits, why not just lower the price of a full pass?..."
(Ruth Harrison, Aspen)
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SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: Tales of 2 clusters"

"Stars are born in clusters — families of dozens to hundreds of stars that share the same age and chemical makeup — but they don’t remain in clusters their entire lives. Like fledgling birds, stars eventually leave the nest in which they were born to roam the galaxy alone...."
(Jimmy Westlake)

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