My goodness.
Between Charlie Leonard and Maurice Emmer, Mayor Mick is having a tough week.
"..So, when Hecht suggested he might pay fewer development and affordable fees and housing fees and reduce his parking requirements in exchange for dramatically reducing his development rights by preserving Little Annie's and the Benton building, the mayor dishonored himself and his office by falsely accusing Mr. Hecht of being a “blackmailer.”
Even if you don't like Mr. Hecht, his original plan to tear down his buildings, or his proposal to reduce his city-imposed development fees and requirements, it is not an act of blackmail for a property owner to offer to pay fewer fees in exchange for giving something of real value to the city.
After seeing the mayor's letters last week, however, I developed a different theory. My theory is Hecht may have learned through secret sources that the mayor had read and believed the silly nonsense contained in Robert Frank's book and threatened to out him.
But then again, like the mayor's plan to control our economic activity through zoning laws, it's just a theory...."
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
January 28, 2012
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "National Firefighters Hose Race"
Scroll down to 'Latest Videos' and then to the firefighter's hose race. 'Sandbox Nanny' could not figure out how to get the page to come up with only that video link.
Thank you to all the firefighters who particpated in this. We really appreciate you no matter what you classify as 'training'.
(Learn more? Watch the video? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Thank you to all the firefighters who particpated in this. We really appreciate you no matter what you classify as 'training'.
(Learn more? Watch the video? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Vail Daily "Firearms expert says Walker shot from 5 to 6 feet away"
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
via Vail Daily:
"BOULDER, Colorado — The muzzle of the gun that killed Todd Walker was between 5 and 6 feet away from him when it was fired, a Colorado Bureau of Investigation firearms expert testified Friday at the murder trial of Kevin McGregor.
The information is significant because McGregor disputes the story told by Elizabeth Roach, Walker's friend, that he tried to rob her at gunpoint and shot Walker when he intervened...."
via Vail Daily:
"BOULDER, Colorado — The muzzle of the gun that killed Todd Walker was between 5 and 6 feet away from him when it was fired, a Colorado Bureau of Investigation firearms expert testified Friday at the murder trial of Kevin McGregor.
The information is significant because McGregor disputes the story told by Elizabeth Roach, Walker's friend, that he tried to rob her at gunpoint and shot Walker when he intervened...."
SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News "Breckenridge man, 12 others, arrested after pot raids"
The "...and Iraqi currency..." is the part of this piece from Caddie Nath, over and up on the Summit Daily News that is bothering SandBox the most.
Caddie Nath:
"..Breckenridge resident Eric Gleason was arrested Wednesday morning after his house was raided in a statewide marijuana pot bust.
Authorities raided 25 grow houses across the Front Range and the central mountains, arresting 13 people and seizing dozens of guns, more than 100 pounds of marijuana and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and Iraqi currency, according to a statement released Friday by the Seventeenth Judicial District Attorney's Office and the North Metro Task Force.
Gleason was charged with conspiracy under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute and two counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, said Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for the task force.
He has been released from jail in Adams County after posting a $100,000 bond.
His first court appearance is set for Feb. 21.
Authorities with the North Metro Drug Task Force, with help from the U.S. Postal Service, conducted the sting after a six-month investigation of an illegal marijuana grow and distribution ring operating primarily out of Adams County and Broomfield.
During searches of 24 houses illegally growing marijuana, authorities found 40 guns, 2,749 marijuana plants and 148 pounds of dry marijuana.
They also found more than $278,500 in U.S. currency and another 15 million in Iraqi Dinar, which, based on current exchange rates, is more than $12,000..."
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Caddie Nath:
"..Breckenridge resident Eric Gleason was arrested Wednesday morning after his house was raided in a statewide marijuana pot bust.
Authorities raided 25 grow houses across the Front Range and the central mountains, arresting 13 people and seizing dozens of guns, more than 100 pounds of marijuana and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and Iraqi currency, according to a statement released Friday by the Seventeenth Judicial District Attorney's Office and the North Metro Task Force.
Gleason was charged with conspiracy under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute and two counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, said Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for the task force.
He has been released from jail in Adams County after posting a $100,000 bond.
His first court appearance is set for Feb. 21.
Authorities with the North Metro Drug Task Force, with help from the U.S. Postal Service, conducted the sting after a six-month investigation of an illegal marijuana grow and distribution ring operating primarily out of Adams County and Broomfield.
During searches of 24 houses illegally growing marijuana, authorities found 40 guns, 2,749 marijuana plants and 148 pounds of dry marijuana.
They also found more than $278,500 in U.S. currency and another 15 million in Iraqi Dinar, which, based on current exchange rates, is more than $12,000..."
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Citizen Telegram "Amonette trial delayed until mid-July"
John Gardner:
"The trial of accused cop shooter Phillip Michael Amonette has been postponed until July after defense counsel claimed that evidence was not made available for their analysis in time for the Jan. 30 trial.
According to a motion entered by Public Defender Matt Morriss, representing Amonette, “Mr. Amonette moves this court to impose sanctions against the District Attorney's office for the denial of access to physical evidence in this case...” (Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The trial of accused cop shooter Phillip Michael Amonette has been postponed until July after defense counsel claimed that evidence was not made available for their analysis in time for the Jan. 30 trial.
According to a motion entered by Public Defender Matt Morriss, representing Amonette, “Mr. Amonette moves this court to impose sanctions against the District Attorney's office for the denial of access to physical evidence in this case...” (Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Minors sold booze at 10 businesses, Basalt police say"
Chad Abraham:
"...Basalt police cited servers from 10 businesses for selling alcohol to underage people without asking for identification Wednesday.
The police department, with help from the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, canvassed every liquor store and restaurant that sells alcohol within the town limits, said Sgt. Stewart Curry.
The operation was conducted after a similar effort by state and Eagle County authorities in August resulted in six citations for servers in Basalt businesses, Curry said. The six tickets represented two-thirds of all of the tickets that authorities issued for the entire county during the August crackdown.
That statistic, combined with the influx of young people in the valley for the X Games, led to Wednesday’s operation, Curry said.
“This was specifically designed for X Games,” he said. “We have a nexus of underage kids right now, and the goal was to see what kind of jobs businesses are doing in carding.
“It was disappointing that many businesses didn’t do a good job.”
Those cited were working at: 7-Eleven, Asiana Fushion, Cuvee World Bistro, El Korita, Zheng Asian Bistro, Riverside Grill, Jimbo’s Liquor, Basalt Wine Shop, Tempranillo and Stubbies..."
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"...Basalt police cited servers from 10 businesses for selling alcohol to underage people without asking for identification Wednesday.
The police department, with help from the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, canvassed every liquor store and restaurant that sells alcohol within the town limits, said Sgt. Stewart Curry.
The operation was conducted after a similar effort by state and Eagle County authorities in August resulted in six citations for servers in Basalt businesses, Curry said. The six tickets represented two-thirds of all of the tickets that authorities issued for the entire county during the August crackdown.
That statistic, combined with the influx of young people in the valley for the X Games, led to Wednesday’s operation, Curry said.
“This was specifically designed for X Games,” he said. “We have a nexus of underage kids right now, and the goal was to see what kind of jobs businesses are doing in carding.
“It was disappointing that many businesses didn’t do a good job.”
Those cited were working at: 7-Eleven, Asiana Fushion, Cuvee World Bistro, El Korita, Zheng Asian Bistro, Riverside Grill, Jimbo’s Liquor, Basalt Wine Shop, Tempranillo and Stubbies..."
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: KREX News 5 "Colorado District Attorneys Council Responds to Montrose DA"
"....After disbarred DA Myrl Serra was sentenced for harassing female employees and other misconduct earlier this month, the head of the Colorado District Attorneys Council is now speaking out.
Last year, Serra plead guilty to felony extortion and misdemeanor unlawful sexual contact. He was also found guilty of violating his bond.
In an open letter printed by the Denver Post, Colorado's District Attorney Council, expressed sympathy for Serra's victims and disgust for his actions, stating that as the state's prosecutors, "We are held to a higher standard--as we should be...." (Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
(KREX)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Last year, Serra plead guilty to felony extortion and misdemeanor unlawful sexual contact. He was also found guilty of violating his bond.
In an open letter printed by the Denver Post, Colorado's District Attorney Council, expressed sympathy for Serra's victims and disgust for his actions, stating that as the state's prosecutors, "We are held to a higher standard--as we should be...." (Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
(KREX)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letters to the Editor "The Mick Laws"
lol.
Thank you, Maurice....
Maurice Emmer:
"...In short, our view is that city law applies, and it does not require even the requested registration at this time; that state law does not apply because Aspen is a home rule municipality. The city has a somewhat different view. Both views are based on reading the law. We voluntarily met with city legal officials to discuss our respective views, as we understand this is a complex area of law on which people can disagree in good faith. The correspondence between the city and us is public record; anyone who wants to know the facts about our discussions can get the letters and read them.
Instead of allowing the matter to be resolved in an orderly and professional manner by competent city officials, our mayor preempted and interfered with the activities of professionals in City Hall by writing letters to the papers “demanding names.” When asked for the legal authority for his demand, he produced none and said that isn't his job. He has told us what is “customary” and that we know the law as well as he does.
We can't confirm the mayor's legal knowledge, but we certainly do know the law; we read it and are following it to the best of our ability. The mayor, meanwhile, tosses around baseless demands and makes up imaginary legal requirements. Maybe that's OK for a partially informed reporter, but unseemly if not downright improper for a mayor.
We are resolving any differences with the professionals in City Hall, who also have read the law. If the mayor wants to be city attorney and city clerk as well as mayor, he can eliminate three jobs in City Hall and save the city some money. One way in which the mayor could accomplish this is to imagine some other non-existent law he can accuse City Hall professionals of violating and fire them. Or maybe, he ought to let professionals do their jobs and let citizens work with City Hall professionals to resolve routine matters courteously."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Thank you, Maurice....
Maurice Emmer:
"...In short, our view is that city law applies, and it does not require even the requested registration at this time; that state law does not apply because Aspen is a home rule municipality. The city has a somewhat different view. Both views are based on reading the law. We voluntarily met with city legal officials to discuss our respective views, as we understand this is a complex area of law on which people can disagree in good faith. The correspondence between the city and us is public record; anyone who wants to know the facts about our discussions can get the letters and read them.
Instead of allowing the matter to be resolved in an orderly and professional manner by competent city officials, our mayor preempted and interfered with the activities of professionals in City Hall by writing letters to the papers “demanding names.” When asked for the legal authority for his demand, he produced none and said that isn't his job. He has told us what is “customary” and that we know the law as well as he does.
We can't confirm the mayor's legal knowledge, but we certainly do know the law; we read it and are following it to the best of our ability. The mayor, meanwhile, tosses around baseless demands and makes up imaginary legal requirements. Maybe that's OK for a partially informed reporter, but unseemly if not downright improper for a mayor.
We are resolving any differences with the professionals in City Hall, who also have read the law. If the mayor wants to be city attorney and city clerk as well as mayor, he can eliminate three jobs in City Hall and save the city some money. One way in which the mayor could accomplish this is to imagine some other non-existent law he can accuse City Hall professionals of violating and fire them. Or maybe, he ought to let professionals do their jobs and let citizens work with City Hall professionals to resolve routine matters courteously."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Pro-VCR forces out raise, spend opponents"
The best stories to come out of this entire political saga of the Village at Crystal River ballot issue are the two expose' pieces from John Colson on how much money the proponents for the project have raised, where that money came from and how they've spent the funds during the campaign.
Very enlightening to see what developer Rich Schierburg considers 'above board' in pushing his agenda.
Another interesting news piece in today's Post Independent is a letter to the editor written in by Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky in support of the development. Quite an enigma when it comes to business philosophy is Commissioner Jankovsky. Setting aside all the controversy over Sunlight Ski Resort over the years with various land deals and business enterprises. Set aside all the controversy over tourism promotion and the old tourism board that Jankovsky co-founded. Set aside all of his fairly constant stumping to keep money local. Set aside the obviously selective reasoning he's shown since taking his seat on BOCC with budget line items and now the Silt grocery store and Urban Renewal efforts. Set all those things aside and take a look at an endorsement for a major money developer out of Denver to come in locally and put up a vanilla flavor, cinder block mall right on the Highway 82 all in the name of the 'loose' numbers VCR projects for sales tax revenues. Those thoughts are a little uncomfortable given the path GarCo is currently on politically and another very tight year or two ahead of us on the economic front. SandBox bets that the folks are going to be likely to put very little, if any, stock in Jankovsky's endorsement on VCR. His endorsement simply rings false.
This letter to the editor from highly respected businessman Scott Ely "VCR lacks the quirky Carbondale funk factor", also in today's Post Independent, is a powerful statement opposing the VCR development. Our bet? All the 'Cherry Garcia' folks who spent a fraction of what Rich Schierburg's group did will landslide defeat VCR at the ballot box.
Scott Ely:
"As a long-time local business owner with clients and friends on both sides of the Village at Crystal River debate, I have held my tongue to this point. I do, however, have a couple of questions for the developer and electorate.
I believe (most) everyone can agree that any further large-scale development in Carbondale will likely take place on the VCR property. This makes good sense. As the de facto entrance to Carbondale, there should be something attractive that greets visitors, tourists and yes, shoppers, to town. I believe we can also (mostly) agree that the existing entrance to Carbondale could use some love.
More important, however, I believe that (most) people were drawn to Carbondale for the small town feel and the quirky nature of the community, among other things. Therefore, my question to the developer is, “Where's the funk?” Perhaps the PIF should stand for “Put In (the) Funk.”
What is funk, you ask? How about a contest to dress the center of the roundabout(s)? Why not park benches, picnic tables, murals or really creative landscaping? A cool bicycle parking area? Electric vehicle charging station(s)? Solar sign lighting? How about brick facades, barn wood siding, metal or corrugated roofing?
The bottom line for me is demanding more of the developer and steering away from the generic, Anywhere, USA shopping center. This thing appears to be quite vanilla, when what we really need is some Cherry Garcia!
Demanding funk, mandating the use of local talent for design and construction and fully vetting the repercussions over the life of the project would likely get more folks to agree. The result could be a fantastic project that accomplishes many of our common goals..."
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Very enlightening to see what developer Rich Schierburg considers 'above board' in pushing his agenda.
Another interesting news piece in today's Post Independent is a letter to the editor written in by Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky in support of the development. Quite an enigma when it comes to business philosophy is Commissioner Jankovsky. Setting aside all the controversy over Sunlight Ski Resort over the years with various land deals and business enterprises. Set aside all the controversy over tourism promotion and the old tourism board that Jankovsky co-founded. Set aside all of his fairly constant stumping to keep money local. Set aside the obviously selective reasoning he's shown since taking his seat on BOCC with budget line items and now the Silt grocery store and Urban Renewal efforts. Set all those things aside and take a look at an endorsement for a major money developer out of Denver to come in locally and put up a vanilla flavor, cinder block mall right on the Highway 82 all in the name of the 'loose' numbers VCR projects for sales tax revenues. Those thoughts are a little uncomfortable given the path GarCo is currently on politically and another very tight year or two ahead of us on the economic front. SandBox bets that the folks are going to be likely to put very little, if any, stock in Jankovsky's endorsement on VCR. His endorsement simply rings false.
This letter to the editor from highly respected businessman Scott Ely "VCR lacks the quirky Carbondale funk factor", also in today's Post Independent, is a powerful statement opposing the VCR development. Our bet? All the 'Cherry Garcia' folks who spent a fraction of what Rich Schierburg's group did will landslide defeat VCR at the ballot box.
Scott Ely:
"As a long-time local business owner with clients and friends on both sides of the Village at Crystal River debate, I have held my tongue to this point. I do, however, have a couple of questions for the developer and electorate.
I believe (most) everyone can agree that any further large-scale development in Carbondale will likely take place on the VCR property. This makes good sense. As the de facto entrance to Carbondale, there should be something attractive that greets visitors, tourists and yes, shoppers, to town. I believe we can also (mostly) agree that the existing entrance to Carbondale could use some love.
More important, however, I believe that (most) people were drawn to Carbondale for the small town feel and the quirky nature of the community, among other things. Therefore, my question to the developer is, “Where's the funk?” Perhaps the PIF should stand for “Put In (the) Funk.”
What is funk, you ask? How about a contest to dress the center of the roundabout(s)? Why not park benches, picnic tables, murals or really creative landscaping? A cool bicycle parking area? Electric vehicle charging station(s)? Solar sign lighting? How about brick facades, barn wood siding, metal or corrugated roofing?
The bottom line for me is demanding more of the developer and steering away from the generic, Anywhere, USA shopping center. This thing appears to be quite vanilla, when what we really need is some Cherry Garcia!
Demanding funk, mandating the use of local talent for design and construction and fully vetting the repercussions over the life of the project would likely get more folks to agree. The result could be a fantastic project that accomplishes many of our common goals..."
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Sandbox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Lorenzo Semple "X Games: Still crazy after all these years"
Lorenzo Semple:
"...My idea of extreme athleticism at the time was putting on a pair of tights and Oakley blades, strapping snowshoes on my feet and running up, then back down Buttermilk as fast as I could on my lunch hour. I religiously skied moguls all day on Aspen Mountain with Atomic race skis, wearing Ancona stretch pants and a Spyder jacket. I thought big air was hitting a catwalk and doing a twister/spread combo, or a mule kick. If you were lucky enough to see a guy up on Ajax doing a heli it was like seeing a bald eagle in the wilderness; a rare treat. My, how things have changed.
We had just lost the men’s World Cup downhill to Vail, and in their infancy the Winter X Games seemed a risky, unknown replacement. There was a lot of hand-wringing going on about Aspen’s precious image at the time. Snowboarding was forbidden on Ajax. When it was announced the X Games would be held here, there was a lot of talk about how it had nothing to do with skiing, and how no one would buy a lift ticket. It might be bad for our town’s image, some said. And it proved to be, but in a good way.
Who would have thought that a decade later a snowboarder would be one of the highest-paid athletes, and you could walk into a store and buy pot. The former DMV office in Holland Hills is now a weed shop. Can you imagine if the legendary old driving test officer was still here to see that happen? He’d probably go on a three-state killing spree...."
(Read the rest? Sure you want to? Ok, then. Click title. Comment to discuss)
"...My idea of extreme athleticism at the time was putting on a pair of tights and Oakley blades, strapping snowshoes on my feet and running up, then back down Buttermilk as fast as I could on my lunch hour. I religiously skied moguls all day on Aspen Mountain with Atomic race skis, wearing Ancona stretch pants and a Spyder jacket. I thought big air was hitting a catwalk and doing a twister/spread combo, or a mule kick. If you were lucky enough to see a guy up on Ajax doing a heli it was like seeing a bald eagle in the wilderness; a rare treat. My, how things have changed.
We had just lost the men’s World Cup downhill to Vail, and in their infancy the Winter X Games seemed a risky, unknown replacement. There was a lot of hand-wringing going on about Aspen’s precious image at the time. Snowboarding was forbidden on Ajax. When it was announced the X Games would be held here, there was a lot of talk about how it had nothing to do with skiing, and how no one would buy a lift ticket. It might be bad for our town’s image, some said. And it proved to be, but in a good way.
Who would have thought that a decade later a snowboarder would be one of the highest-paid athletes, and you could walk into a store and buy pot. The former DMV office in Holland Hills is now a weed shop. Can you imagine if the legendary old driving test officer was still here to see that happen? He’d probably go on a three-state killing spree...."
(Read the rest? Sure you want to? Ok, then. Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Durango Telegraph "Southern exposure"
This is a fascinating look at what life is like. Living in Antartica. From Shawna Bethell. Way over and all the way up on the Durango Telegraph.
"...Though he attends the weekly science lectures offered at the station, Jackson says he doesn’t always understand the complexities of projects, but the sense of exploring remains with him.
“Humans have always been ‘wonderers,’” he said. “One of our distant ancestors looked up into the night sky and wondered what the stars were, and he probably walked up the nearest ridge to get a closer look. He may not have found the answer then, but what he saw over the ridge may have lead to another discovery.
"...Though he attends the weekly science lectures offered at the station, Jackson says he doesn’t always understand the complexities of projects, but the sense of exploring remains with him.
“Humans have always been ‘wonderers,’” he said. “One of our distant ancestors looked up into the night sky and wondered what the stars were, and he probably walked up the nearest ridge to get a closer look. He may not have found the answer then, but what he saw over the ridge may have lead to another discovery.
“It’s the fact that we are looking, maybe finding that next thing to help human kind,” Jackson said. “That’s what science is about.”
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Snnnoooowwwww!"
All credit: Bob Berwyn:
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