"Editor:
The 2012 Pitkin County Republican Precinct Caucuses will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Aspen High School. Doors open at 6 p.m. for check-in and refreshments. The caucuses will begin at 7 p.m. Check-in will close at that time.
For those who are not familiar with the process in Colorado, the precinct caucuses feature a presidential preference poll and the election of precinct committee persons from each of Pitkin County’s 10 precincts. Although the preference poll is non-binding, the statewide results of the preference poll will attract national attention.
The caucuses are also the first step in selecting delegates to the Republican National Convention. At the caucuses, delegates will be elected to the Pitkin County Republican Assembly, which will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 29 in the conference room at the Pitkin County Library. The county assembly will elect delegates and alternates to the State Republican Assembly, which will take place on April 14 in Denver. At the state assembly, delegates and alternates to the national convention will be elected.
We urge all eligible registered Republicans in Pitkin County to attend the Feb. 7 precinct caucuses. To be eligible, a voter must be registered in the voter’s Pitkin County precinct by Jan. 9 and must have been registered as a Republican in any jurisdiction as of Dec. 7, 2011. To avoid lines at caucus check-in, we encourage pre-registration by going to www.caucus.cologop.org.
For more information, please contact me at frieda@pitkinpolitics.org.
Frieda Wallison
Pitkin County Republican chair
Old Snowmass
January 11, 2012
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Snowmobilers, veterinarian and Forest Service rescue horse in North Routt"
Thank you to everyone who participated in this rescue.
Hopefully, it was an accident of some kind, rather than intentional, that this terrific 'little guy' was separated from his rider.
Please, if you cannot care for your livestock for some reason. Take them to shelter or anonymously call your local animal control. Please don't leave them to try to survive the elements here in the mountains of Colorado.
"When the riders first saw the horse, he was visibly malnourished and shied away from human touch. His saddle had slid down around his belly and was full of snow. He could barely walk with the weight of it.
The girth’s cinch had dug into his back, leaving a large and infected wound, and the riders could see where blood had dripped down his sides. Based on the horse’s tracks, Sorenson said they determined he had been circling a 30-yard area scrounging for food.
“It was so sad,” she said. “He tried to get away from us, but he just didn’t have much strength.”
The first thing they did was cut the saddle off of him before riding all the way back to Columbine to call the U.S. Forest Service.
The Forest Service enlisted the help of Gotchey, who brought a trailer and his fiancee, Traci Clark.
They drove a trailer to the intersection of Forest Service Roads 500 and 550, where logging operations this winter fortuitously had packed the snow down for driving.
The group made its way to the horse on snowmobiles and met face to face with the now-calmer horse, who several members of the rescue party affectionately called “little man” and “little guy.”
U.S. Forest Service Ranger Mike Seawall and Reserve Law Enforcement Officer Steve McCone had brought hay and a blanket to the site.
“He didn’t look that bad, considering everything he had gone through,” Seawall said. “He looked pretty relieved. He had enough left in him to understand, ‘I’m getting out of here.’”
“You could tell, when (Gotchey) grabbed on to that lead rope, that we were there; we were getting that horse out,” he said. “I’m sure the little man’s relieved.”
The first 1 1/2 miles was post-holing through deep snow, but the snowmobiles stayed with the group and rode back and forth in front of the horse to create a track for him to walk on. The final stretch of more than six miles was along Forest Service Road 550, and Gotchey said the horse let out a sigh once he made it to the stable at about 10:30 p.m.
He said if the snowpack had been at last year’s levels, the horse’s survival and rescue would have been nearly impossible.
Seawall said the rescue was one made possible by more than the cooperating weather.
“At the end of the day, if (the snowmobilers) hadn’t have been out there and been willing to ride all the way in and make the call. That and Mike, for him to come out and take this horse and care for it, it’s wonderful.
“And the horse, he just put his head down and went to work,” he said. “Tough little horse.”
Seawall said the Forest Service is conducting an investigation into where the horse came from and the circumstances surrounding his separation from his owner...."
(Nicole Inglis)
(Read this wonderful story? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Hopefully, it was an accident of some kind, rather than intentional, that this terrific 'little guy' was separated from his rider.
Please, if you cannot care for your livestock for some reason. Take them to shelter or anonymously call your local animal control. Please don't leave them to try to survive the elements here in the mountains of Colorado.
"When the riders first saw the horse, he was visibly malnourished and shied away from human touch. His saddle had slid down around his belly and was full of snow. He could barely walk with the weight of it.
The girth’s cinch had dug into his back, leaving a large and infected wound, and the riders could see where blood had dripped down his sides. Based on the horse’s tracks, Sorenson said they determined he had been circling a 30-yard area scrounging for food.
“It was so sad,” she said. “He tried to get away from us, but he just didn’t have much strength.”
The first thing they did was cut the saddle off of him before riding all the way back to Columbine to call the U.S. Forest Service.
The Forest Service enlisted the help of Gotchey, who brought a trailer and his fiancee, Traci Clark.
They drove a trailer to the intersection of Forest Service Roads 500 and 550, where logging operations this winter fortuitously had packed the snow down for driving.
The group made its way to the horse on snowmobiles and met face to face with the now-calmer horse, who several members of the rescue party affectionately called “little man” and “little guy.”
U.S. Forest Service Ranger Mike Seawall and Reserve Law Enforcement Officer Steve McCone had brought hay and a blanket to the site.
“He didn’t look that bad, considering everything he had gone through,” Seawall said. “He looked pretty relieved. He had enough left in him to understand, ‘I’m getting out of here.’”
“You could tell, when (Gotchey) grabbed on to that lead rope, that we were there; we were getting that horse out,” he said. “I’m sure the little man’s relieved.”
The first 1 1/2 miles was post-holing through deep snow, but the snowmobiles stayed with the group and rode back and forth in front of the horse to create a track for him to walk on. The final stretch of more than six miles was along Forest Service Road 550, and Gotchey said the horse let out a sigh once he made it to the stable at about 10:30 p.m.
He said if the snowpack had been at last year’s levels, the horse’s survival and rescue would have been nearly impossible.
Seawall said the rescue was one made possible by more than the cooperating weather.
“At the end of the day, if (the snowmobilers) hadn’t have been out there and been willing to ride all the way in and make the call. That and Mike, for him to come out and take this horse and care for it, it’s wonderful.
“And the horse, he just put his head down and went to work,” he said. “Tough little horse.”
Seawall said the Forest Service is conducting an investigation into where the horse came from and the circumstances surrounding his separation from his owner...."
(Nicole Inglis)
(Read this wonderful story? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "Rep. Tipton hears gripes about GJ airport fence"
Why are Western Colorado Independent Conservatives sending Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) back to Congress in 2012?
Because the seemingly small issues like this fence controversy in Grand Junction are normal, everyday problems that he handles.
Tipton's not only is doing a phenomenal job in Washington, he listens and stays in touch with his district.
He knows his citizens, works and walks among them as a common man and truly cares about their lives.
"...Rep. Tipton listened and took notes. He eventually took the floor and said he would be watching the developments. He said he was concerned about the fence's impact on the local economy, and said if needed, he would bring in the federal government. Kenyon said, "This is one of the most important, if not the most important airport in Western Colorado, something we've got to make sure is prospering to the best of our ability."
Rep. Tipton also hinted at the possibility that the Board's interpretation of regulations may be hindering local business. He said, "It is an example of where government regulations when they are interpreted certain ways are having definite impacts on people. We''ll be listening to the airport authority to be responsible to get this airport moving again."
According to board member John Stevens, no one from the board knew about the meeting, and only found out about it by watching 11 News."
(KKCO)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Because the seemingly small issues like this fence controversy in Grand Junction are normal, everyday problems that he handles.
Tipton's not only is doing a phenomenal job in Washington, he listens and stays in touch with his district.
He knows his citizens, works and walks among them as a common man and truly cares about their lives.
"...Rep. Tipton listened and took notes. He eventually took the floor and said he would be watching the developments. He said he was concerned about the fence's impact on the local economy, and said if needed, he would bring in the federal government. Kenyon said, "This is one of the most important, if not the most important airport in Western Colorado, something we've got to make sure is prospering to the best of our ability."
Rep. Tipton also hinted at the possibility that the Board's interpretation of regulations may be hindering local business. He said, "It is an example of where government regulations when they are interpreted certain ways are having definite impacts on people. We''ll be listening to the airport authority to be responsible to get this airport moving again."
According to board member John Stevens, no one from the board knew about the meeting, and only found out about it by watching 11 News."
(KKCO)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Many US communities are blocking medical marijuana"
"More and more states are saying yes to medical marijuana. But local governments are increasingly using their laws to just say no, not in our backyard.
In California, with the nation's most permissive medical marijuana laws, 185 cities and counties have banned pot dispensaries entirely. In New Jersey, perhaps the most restrictive of the 17 states that have legalized marijuana for sick people, some groups planning to sell cannabis are struggling to find local governments willing to let them in..."
(via Post Independent)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
In California, with the nation's most permissive medical marijuana laws, 185 cities and counties have banned pot dispensaries entirely. In New Jersey, perhaps the most restrictive of the 17 states that have legalized marijuana for sick people, some groups planning to sell cannabis are struggling to find local governments willing to let them in..."
(via Post Independent)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments; Snowmass Sun/Barbara Lucks "Marketing board is not a chamber of commerce"
'FCL' (Former Chamber Lady) is bringing you this post. A special shout-out to Nanny for letting me appear as a guest blogger today.
"This is a wonderful column from Barbara Lucks. As Nanny would say, up on the Snowmass Sun.
Succinctly spoken, honest and very accurate in fact.
Just because Chambers of Commerce nationwide decided to tip their hat at tourism and resort marketing a number of years ago does not mean it was a good move.
There could not be two more different beasts than small business stewardship and promotion and tourism/resort marketing. Not to mention the world of differences there are (or should be) in the accounting processes of a 501C-6 entity vs. a publicly funded entity. There is also the obvious (or should be obvious) need for the steward for small businesses to be impartial, caring for all members. Cronyism is just too easy of a trap to fall into when one is in charge of allocating millions of dollars spanning a few years of time out to specific local companies in the name of tourism marketing.
Moffat County Tourism Assoc. and the Aspen Chamber Resort Assoc. are among the most recent to look hard at whether or not to up the individual insurance liability coverage for members on their board of directors. In light of the potential of legal issues in prominent non-profits in Aspen, Snowmass and Glenwood Springs currently; there is a foundation for concern.
The solution is to not only rein in those problems and eliminate them, but to also get back to the business of separation of the functions of a non-profit Chamber of Commerce which is best held in the hands of stewards and for-profit Tourism/Resort Marketing which is best held in the hands of advertising and public relations firms.
Take a read on Donna Wiedinmyer's letter to the Town of Snowmass titled "Thanks, Snowmass, for accountability". Also up on the Snowmass Sun today:
"I have always looked forward to reading Mel Blumenthal's column, and I certainly appreciate his diligence in reporting on what is happening in our village.
On Dec. 30, the Fox Run Homeowner's Association met. Fred Kucker, town councilman and a Fox Run resident, reported on the recent meeting concerning the marketing board mentioned in Mel's editorial. To clarify: Per Fred, the marketing board now has to be “accountable” to the Town Council (as they should be) with their budget, quarterly reports, business plans and performance standards. With a budget in excess of $4.2 million coming from Snowmass Village taxes, the marketing board must now define how, and where, that money is being spent.
They must report on lodging, meals, clothing, sales and lodging taxes, etc. In other words, a metric must be established to determine the performance of the marketing board.
As a permanent resident, I am thrilled that we will finally have accountability. As an example, if $30,000 is spent on marketing, wouldn't we want to see at least $30,000 or more returned to the town?
We certainly would only want to sponsor events that will show a positive return to the town and its lodge owners, merchants and restaurant owners. This is why the marketing board is now answering to the town manager and not, as Mel states, “the cover costs otherwise intended to be covered in other town budgets.”
Unfortunately, most of Mel's column is not stating the real reason behind the new accountability of the marketing board...."
Barbara Lucks:
"...The whole concept of a chamber of commerce is that the one-man auto body shop and the golf course have an opportunity to participate in a larger whole and to wield some influence over the process by virtue of optional membership and voting for the board of directors.
A program completely controlled by the public sector and funded by taxes does not fit that mold. The Snowmass Village Marketing Board does not purport to be anything remotely resembling a chamber.
I am not trying to sugar coat chambers of commerce. Some are drinking clubs, hotbeds of political conflict, personal power trips, ineffective or just plain too small to work.
Recent economic times are weeding out chambers that are not true to community mission or have no hope of viability. Many are consolidating with neighboring small towns, rewriting mission statements and replacing strictly social calendars with an assortment of options for communication, collaboration and education.
Members are demanding more than a coffee club these days. True chambers, not being guaranteed by public funds, must be responsive to community and member interests, or they will quickly die.
Community-centered chambers of commerce have room for the food bank, the local church and the business-incubator effort. They have a place for the long-term resident, the week-long guest and even a part-time residents' organization. Many have a seat on their board for a city-government liaison; some receive small public grants well short of full funding. They may or may not involve themselves in political advocacy, but the good ones do not allow themselves to be controlled by politics.
Snowmass Village's challenges go beyond the mere commercial and into the heart of community. A true chamber of commerce could provide an energetic gathering place for many constituencies ranging from the new window-washing company to the school district. As a safe and informal idea exchange, consider the creative problem-solving potential of a chamber of commerce. Contrast the dynamic of a lively “business after hours” event with a public hearing.
Optional membership makes it far more likely that diverse voices will be heard and considered. True community commerce tends to the soul as well as the bottom line.
Should Snowmass Village residents consider forming a chamber of commerce, I would suggest avoiding an entity created to monopolize and exploit the commercial and civic climate through levying taxes, promoting concentrated power and enhancing short-term gain.
I think you've probably had enough of those."
The citizenry of the Roaring Fork region has certainly "had enough of those", Barbara.
The question of the day is: Why haven't our elected officials had enough?
Or is that a question being asked to cronies who are not about to give as straight-up of an answer as you are?
Here's a trivia tidbit:
Do you know how many millions of dollars per year are spent on tourism marketing in the Roaring Fork Valley?
Answer: On average, between Glenwood Springs to Aspen and based on the past 10 year span: $7 million dollars."
(To read more, please click title and links within post. To discuss, comment below)
"This is a wonderful column from Barbara Lucks. As Nanny would say, up on the Snowmass Sun.
Succinctly spoken, honest and very accurate in fact.
Just because Chambers of Commerce nationwide decided to tip their hat at tourism and resort marketing a number of years ago does not mean it was a good move.
There could not be two more different beasts than small business stewardship and promotion and tourism/resort marketing. Not to mention the world of differences there are (or should be) in the accounting processes of a 501C-6 entity vs. a publicly funded entity. There is also the obvious (or should be obvious) need for the steward for small businesses to be impartial, caring for all members. Cronyism is just too easy of a trap to fall into when one is in charge of allocating millions of dollars spanning a few years of time out to specific local companies in the name of tourism marketing.
Moffat County Tourism Assoc. and the Aspen Chamber Resort Assoc. are among the most recent to look hard at whether or not to up the individual insurance liability coverage for members on their board of directors. In light of the potential of legal issues in prominent non-profits in Aspen, Snowmass and Glenwood Springs currently; there is a foundation for concern.
The solution is to not only rein in those problems and eliminate them, but to also get back to the business of separation of the functions of a non-profit Chamber of Commerce which is best held in the hands of stewards and for-profit Tourism/Resort Marketing which is best held in the hands of advertising and public relations firms.
Take a read on Donna Wiedinmyer's letter to the Town of Snowmass titled "Thanks, Snowmass, for accountability". Also up on the Snowmass Sun today:
"I have always looked forward to reading Mel Blumenthal's column, and I certainly appreciate his diligence in reporting on what is happening in our village.
On Dec. 30, the Fox Run Homeowner's Association met. Fred Kucker, town councilman and a Fox Run resident, reported on the recent meeting concerning the marketing board mentioned in Mel's editorial. To clarify: Per Fred, the marketing board now has to be “accountable” to the Town Council (as they should be) with their budget, quarterly reports, business plans and performance standards. With a budget in excess of $4.2 million coming from Snowmass Village taxes, the marketing board must now define how, and where, that money is being spent.
They must report on lodging, meals, clothing, sales and lodging taxes, etc. In other words, a metric must be established to determine the performance of the marketing board.
As a permanent resident, I am thrilled that we will finally have accountability. As an example, if $30,000 is spent on marketing, wouldn't we want to see at least $30,000 or more returned to the town?
We certainly would only want to sponsor events that will show a positive return to the town and its lodge owners, merchants and restaurant owners. This is why the marketing board is now answering to the town manager and not, as Mel states, “the cover costs otherwise intended to be covered in other town budgets.”
Unfortunately, most of Mel's column is not stating the real reason behind the new accountability of the marketing board...."
Barbara Lucks:
"...The whole concept of a chamber of commerce is that the one-man auto body shop and the golf course have an opportunity to participate in a larger whole and to wield some influence over the process by virtue of optional membership and voting for the board of directors.
A program completely controlled by the public sector and funded by taxes does not fit that mold. The Snowmass Village Marketing Board does not purport to be anything remotely resembling a chamber.
I am not trying to sugar coat chambers of commerce. Some are drinking clubs, hotbeds of political conflict, personal power trips, ineffective or just plain too small to work.
Recent economic times are weeding out chambers that are not true to community mission or have no hope of viability. Many are consolidating with neighboring small towns, rewriting mission statements and replacing strictly social calendars with an assortment of options for communication, collaboration and education.
Members are demanding more than a coffee club these days. True chambers, not being guaranteed by public funds, must be responsive to community and member interests, or they will quickly die.
Community-centered chambers of commerce have room for the food bank, the local church and the business-incubator effort. They have a place for the long-term resident, the week-long guest and even a part-time residents' organization. Many have a seat on their board for a city-government liaison; some receive small public grants well short of full funding. They may or may not involve themselves in political advocacy, but the good ones do not allow themselves to be controlled by politics.
Snowmass Village's challenges go beyond the mere commercial and into the heart of community. A true chamber of commerce could provide an energetic gathering place for many constituencies ranging from the new window-washing company to the school district. As a safe and informal idea exchange, consider the creative problem-solving potential of a chamber of commerce. Contrast the dynamic of a lively “business after hours” event with a public hearing.
Optional membership makes it far more likely that diverse voices will be heard and considered. True community commerce tends to the soul as well as the bottom line.
Should Snowmass Village residents consider forming a chamber of commerce, I would suggest avoiding an entity created to monopolize and exploit the commercial and civic climate through levying taxes, promoting concentrated power and enhancing short-term gain.
I think you've probably had enough of those."
The citizenry of the Roaring Fork region has certainly "had enough of those", Barbara.
The question of the day is: Why haven't our elected officials had enough?
Or is that a question being asked to cronies who are not about to give as straight-up of an answer as you are?
Here's a trivia tidbit:
Do you know how many millions of dollars per year are spent on tourism marketing in the Roaring Fork Valley?
Answer: On average, between Glenwood Springs to Aspen and based on the past 10 year span: $7 million dollars."
(To read more, please click title and links within post. To discuss, comment below)
SandBox Comments: Vail Daily News "School budget meeting draws hundreds"
It is not just where the cuts will be made that's bothering the Eagle County School District parents.
It is how their money is being spent.
Here are some reminders of posts and comments from last year's election cycle that are relevant:
It is how their money is being spent.
Here are some reminders of posts and comments from last year's election cycle that are relevant:
- (Note the comments on this one): SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "New charter school proposed for Glenwood Springs"
- The lack of accountability probably has not helped the parent's current mood either.
- And then there are the performance issues between public and private schools within the district.
SandBox Comments; Aspen Times "Pitkin County lifts cap on child-care program"
There is so much wasted public spending in Aspen.
Wonder how much the eating out for city employees would help fund childcare?
Wonder how much letting go of private (public funds) funding of the now infamous "$6,000 per bike cost" bike sharing enterprise would help fund childcare?
Do you think that the "overwhelmed with applicants" concern could possibly be because there are that many low-income, struggling parents in Aspen, Colorado?
Or maybe so many families finding it really, really hard to live in Pitkin County on slightly above poverty level wages?
Ah, the 'Slums of Aspen' and "The other side of Paradise" issues that just never seem to 'go away'.
Wonder why?
"ASPEN — A cap on the number of Pitkin County families that can receive child-care assistance under a state-mandated program will be dropped, county commissioners agreed Tuesday despite lingering fears that the program could be overwhelmed with applicants as a result...."
(Janet Urquhart)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Wonder how much the eating out for city employees would help fund childcare?
Wonder how much letting go of private (public funds) funding of the now infamous "$6,000 per bike cost" bike sharing enterprise would help fund childcare?
Do you think that the "overwhelmed with applicants" concern could possibly be because there are that many low-income, struggling parents in Aspen, Colorado?
Or maybe so many families finding it really, really hard to live in Pitkin County on slightly above poverty level wages?
Ah, the 'Slums of Aspen' and "The other side of Paradise" issues that just never seem to 'go away'.
Wonder why?
"ASPEN — A cap on the number of Pitkin County families that can receive child-care assistance under a state-mandated program will be dropped, county commissioners agreed Tuesday despite lingering fears that the program could be overwhelmed with applicants as a result...."
(Janet Urquhart)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
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