Josh Lederman and Rachel Leven:
"There’s a new phenomenon in Washington: the Hispanic super-PAC, which aims to give political voice to the nation’s fastest-growing demographic.
Two have cropped up since the beginning of the year. Another that formed as a regular PAC in 2010 has relaunched as a super-PAC, expanding its efforts from a single House district to 15. And at least one other Hispanic PAC is considering making the leap to super-PAC status...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 31, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "L.A. man latest to plead guilty in Aspen cocaine case"
Aspen Daily News:
"..A Los Angeles resident who gave $38,000 to an Aspen man for a kilo of cocaine in 2010 pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court in Denver.
Arrested in May in connection with a Los Angeles-to-Aspen trafficking ring, Anthony Buchanan, 67, is one of seven people, including five Aspen-area residents, who have reached a plea agreement in the case.
Federal prosecutor Michele Korver will recommend that Buchanan, who pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine, be sentenced to 18 months of home detention and three years of probation. A conspiracy charge was dropped in the plea deal, according to court documents.
On Sept. 24, 2010, Buchanan met Wayne Reid, of Aspen, in a hotel room in Pasadena, Calif., the plea agreement says. There, he gave Reid, described by federal drug agents as the leader of the operation that brought to the Roaring Fork Valley multiple kilos of the drug, approximately $38,000, Korver wrote.
Reid then bought two kilos from California resident Alfonso Elvao-Allocati, 71, in the hotel’s parking garage, returned to the room and gave one to Buchanan, according to the plea agreement..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"..A Los Angeles resident who gave $38,000 to an Aspen man for a kilo of cocaine in 2010 pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court in Denver.
Arrested in May in connection with a Los Angeles-to-Aspen trafficking ring, Anthony Buchanan, 67, is one of seven people, including five Aspen-area residents, who have reached a plea agreement in the case.
Federal prosecutor Michele Korver will recommend that Buchanan, who pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine, be sentenced to 18 months of home detention and three years of probation. A conspiracy charge was dropped in the plea deal, according to court documents.
On Sept. 24, 2010, Buchanan met Wayne Reid, of Aspen, in a hotel room in Pasadena, Calif., the plea agreement says. There, he gave Reid, described by federal drug agents as the leader of the operation that brought to the Roaring Fork Valley multiple kilos of the drug, approximately $38,000, Korver wrote.
Reid then bought two kilos from California resident Alfonso Elvao-Allocati, 71, in the hotel’s parking garage, returned to the room and gave one to Buchanan, according to the plea agreement..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Child prostitution ring used Glenwood Springs hotel rooms"
SandBox will not be blocking public commentary on this horrific story that apparently happened right here in Glenwood Springs in some of our hotels.
Why Glenwood Springs? What's the tie?
"DENVER, Colorado — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers released a grand jury indictment Monday charging four metro Denver residents with running a human-trafficking and child prostitution ring, and another 10 for assisting or patronizing the operation.
The suspects allegedly used hotel rooms in Glenwood Springs, as well as in Grand Junction, Denver, Boulder and Lakewood for “meet-ups” between clients and the child victims.
According to the 70-count indictment, Patrick Lloyd McGowan, 22, Chad Armand Gow, 20, Roy Manuel Ibarra-Gonzales, 20, and Bryan Steven Burns, 20, oversaw a human trafficking ring that involved prostitution of children and sale of methamphetamine and cocaine.
The four men are suspected of arranging “out calls” for their child victims through the Internet and coercing their victims through the use of drugs and threats of violence..." (Read more? Click title.)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Why Glenwood Springs? What's the tie?
"DENVER, Colorado — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers released a grand jury indictment Monday charging four metro Denver residents with running a human-trafficking and child prostitution ring, and another 10 for assisting or patronizing the operation.
The suspects allegedly used hotel rooms in Glenwood Springs, as well as in Grand Junction, Denver, Boulder and Lakewood for “meet-ups” between clients and the child victims.
According to the 70-count indictment, Patrick Lloyd McGowan, 22, Chad Armand Gow, 20, Roy Manuel Ibarra-Gonzales, 20, and Bryan Steven Burns, 20, oversaw a human trafficking ring that involved prostitution of children and sale of methamphetamine and cocaine.
The four men are suspected of arranging “out calls” for their child victims through the Internet and coercing their victims through the use of drugs and threats of violence..." (Read more? Click title.)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Carbondale, Dotsero men busted for cocaine"
(See related Aspen Daily News coverage here)
via Post Independent:
"The Eagle County Drug Task Force arrested two men suspected of selling cocaine to undercover agents in separate incidents last week.
Cesar Galaviz-Orozco, 33, of Dotsero, was arrested Jan. 23 after allegedly selling to an undercover agent in Gypsum.
Jesus Castaneda-Cuevas, 20, of Carbondale, was arrested Jan. 26 after allegedly selling to an undercover agent in El Jebel....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
via Post Independent:
"The Eagle County Drug Task Force arrested two men suspected of selling cocaine to undercover agents in separate incidents last week.
Cesar Galaviz-Orozco, 33, of Dotsero, was arrested Jan. 23 after allegedly selling to an undercover agent in Gypsum.
Jesus Castaneda-Cuevas, 20, of Carbondale, was arrested Jan. 26 after allegedly selling to an undercover agent in El Jebel....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News " Judge approves RFTA eminent domain action in Basalt"
It must be the law or Judge Nichols would not have approved this.
That does not make the actions of RFTA seizing private land, in order to pursue an agenda that has never once been shown as truly viable to succeeding; any less appalling.
This is the worst yet in their track record of public business dealings and that is saying a great deal given the millions of dollars in bailouts and handouts that taxpayers have given RFTA over the years.
Chad Abraham:
"A judge has approved the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s request to seize a private parcel of land in Basalt that the agency wants for its $46 million overhaul of transit in the valley.
The Jan. 18 order by Judge Gail Nichols of Pitkin County District Court says that RFTA and the town of Basalt, which is a co-petitioner in the eminent domain proceeding, have the legal authority to take the land. Nichols also ruled that the property along Basalt Avenue serves a public purpose.
RFTA will pay a $600,000 deposit to the court registry to gain immediate title of the approximately half-acre parcel, and pay $12,398.44 to the Pitkin County Treasuer’s Office to cover outstanding property taxes, the judge’s order says. (The transit agency is paying for the land acquisition, and the town signed on as co-petitioner in a show of support, officials have said.)
The Cathers family of Basalt, owners of the Cathers Home Furniture Store across the street from the land in question, has waived all challenges to RFTA’s eminent domain authority.
But the family “has specifically reserved the right to seek additional compensation for the taking, which shall be the sole issue remaining for trial,” the order says.
Paul Cathers, CEO of his family’s business, said in December that he and his relatives believed the bus agency was low-balling during negotiations. RFTA’s original offer for the land was in the neighborhood of $585,000, Cathers said, a sum that is less than what the family paid for it six or seven years ago.
The family’s appraisal valued the land at $1 million, Cathers said.
As part of RFTA’s $46 million bus-rapid transit plan, the land will be used to expand by 100 spaces the existing park-and-ride lot near Highway 82...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
That does not make the actions of RFTA seizing private land, in order to pursue an agenda that has never once been shown as truly viable to succeeding; any less appalling.
This is the worst yet in their track record of public business dealings and that is saying a great deal given the millions of dollars in bailouts and handouts that taxpayers have given RFTA over the years.
Chad Abraham:
"A judge has approved the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s request to seize a private parcel of land in Basalt that the agency wants for its $46 million overhaul of transit in the valley.
The Jan. 18 order by Judge Gail Nichols of Pitkin County District Court says that RFTA and the town of Basalt, which is a co-petitioner in the eminent domain proceeding, have the legal authority to take the land. Nichols also ruled that the property along Basalt Avenue serves a public purpose.
RFTA will pay a $600,000 deposit to the court registry to gain immediate title of the approximately half-acre parcel, and pay $12,398.44 to the Pitkin County Treasuer’s Office to cover outstanding property taxes, the judge’s order says. (The transit agency is paying for the land acquisition, and the town signed on as co-petitioner in a show of support, officials have said.)
The Cathers family of Basalt, owners of the Cathers Home Furniture Store across the street from the land in question, has waived all challenges to RFTA’s eminent domain authority.
But the family “has specifically reserved the right to seek additional compensation for the taking, which shall be the sole issue remaining for trial,” the order says.
Paul Cathers, CEO of his family’s business, said in December that he and his relatives believed the bus agency was low-balling during negotiations. RFTA’s original offer for the land was in the neighborhood of $585,000, Cathers said, a sum that is less than what the family paid for it six or seven years ago.
The family’s appraisal valued the land at $1 million, Cathers said.
As part of RFTA’s $46 million bus-rapid transit plan, the land will be used to expand by 100 spaces the existing park-and-ride lot near Highway 82...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 "Sen. Steve King Pushing Marijuana DUI Bill Again"
Don Colman:
"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Years after Colorado voters approved medical marijuana, State Senator Steve King is hoping to keep the state's roads safe.
For the second time in as many years, King is pushing a marijuana DUI bill that caps how much THC someone can have in their system when behind the wheel. There would be zero tolerance for people without medical marijuana cards.
But, the jury is out on if it will pass. Last year, it drew stiff opposition on Capitol Hill as critics questioned the science of testing how high someone is.
"I hear this story about well the science isn't there," King said. "The science is there and it's written in the blood of innocent people killed by DUI-D drivers...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Years after Colorado voters approved medical marijuana, State Senator Steve King is hoping to keep the state's roads safe.
For the second time in as many years, King is pushing a marijuana DUI bill that caps how much THC someone can have in their system when behind the wheel. There would be zero tolerance for people without medical marijuana cards.
But, the jury is out on if it will pass. Last year, it drew stiff opposition on Capitol Hill as critics questioned the science of testing how high someone is.
"I hear this story about well the science isn't there," King said. "The science is there and it's written in the blood of innocent people killed by DUI-D drivers...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Jewel thief pulls off 'most daring and sensational robbery' "
Peter Strescino:
"The "most daring and sensational robbery ever committed in Pueblo" occurred at the home of John A. Thatcher, 419 W. 14th St., on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The Thatchers, hosting a glittering party for their relatives and friends, suffered the loss of "$10,000 worth of diamonds and jewels," taken by a "porch climber on the Greenwood side of the house" who brazenly entered what is now the Rosemount Museum and took several pieces of Mrs. Thatcher's jewels (a pair of diamond earrings, a solitaire diamond ring and a $10 bill, among many other pieces).
Crime news filled that week's (Jan. 29-Feb. 4) papers.
August Fink, an apparently lively 10-year-old, escaped the County Poor Farm and was on the loose. The Bessemer boy needed "discipline and correction," the paper said...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The "most daring and sensational robbery ever committed in Pueblo" occurred at the home of John A. Thatcher, 419 W. 14th St., on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The Thatchers, hosting a glittering party for their relatives and friends, suffered the loss of "$10,000 worth of diamonds and jewels," taken by a "porch climber on the Greenwood side of the house" who brazenly entered what is now the Rosemount Museum and took several pieces of Mrs. Thatcher's jewels (a pair of diamond earrings, a solitaire diamond ring and a $10 bill, among many other pieces).
Crime news filled that week's (Jan. 29-Feb. 4) papers.
August Fink, an apparently lively 10-year-old, escaped the County Poor Farm and was on the loose. The Bessemer boy needed "discipline and correction," the paper said...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 "New Helicopter For Mesa County Search & Rescue"
Congratulations to the Mesa County Search and Rescue Team and a huge thank you to Century Link!
Shannon Ballard:
"WHITEWATER, Colo -- Only 10% of Search and Rescue operations on the Western Slope require helicopter support, but they're the most serious and expensive missions.
Lt. Jim Fogg with Mesa County Sheriffs Office says, "They’re not cheap to operate and they're not cheap to maintain."
But now the program has found a way to cut the costs.
"CenturyLink approached us about three months ago and said they'd like to assist us is search and rescue missions," Fogg said.
Randy Krause, Market Development Manager with CenturyLink says, "We have a resource we felt we could help utilize in the efforts for the Search and Rescue Control Team..."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Shannon Ballard:
"WHITEWATER, Colo -- Only 10% of Search and Rescue operations on the Western Slope require helicopter support, but they're the most serious and expensive missions.
Lt. Jim Fogg with Mesa County Sheriffs Office says, "They’re not cheap to operate and they're not cheap to maintain."
But now the program has found a way to cut the costs.
"CenturyLink approached us about three months ago and said they'd like to assist us is search and rescue missions," Fogg said.
Randy Krause, Market Development Manager with CenturyLink says, "We have a resource we felt we could help utilize in the efforts for the Search and Rescue Control Team..."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Stars and Stripes "U-2 spy plane to linger overhead a bit longer"
They should be left to linger for decades to come. So much of our military needs, our border control and security needs, our homeland security needs could be done with the technology of drones.
In our view the value of human life is far greater than the loss of privacy we may be subjected to. To not send an American life into battle or security enforcement and instead rely on technology is well worth considering.
This, is great news on the U-2.
W.J. Hennigan:
"Wars have come and gone. But for more than half a century, the CIA and U.S. military have relied on a skinny sinister-looking black jet to go deep behind enemy lines for vital intelligence-gathering missions.
The high-flying U-2 spy plane was first designed during the Eisenhower administration to breach the iron curtain and, as engineers said, snap "picture postcards for Ike" of hidden military strongholds in the Soviet Union.
And although the plane is perhaps best known for being shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960 and the subsequent capture of pilot Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 continues to play a critical role in national security today, hunting Al Qaeda forces in the Middle East. The aging cold warrior once slated for retirement in 2015 may fight on into the next decade.
The fleet of 33 spycraft was supposed to be replaced in the next few years with RQ-4 Global Hawks, the high-tech drones that have been part of the Air Force since 2001. But this week the Pentagon proposed delaying the U-2's retirement as part of Defense Department cutbacks.
At an estimated cost of $176 million each, the Global Hawk drone had "priced itself out of the niche, in terms of taking pictures in the air," said Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter at a Thursday news conference. "That's a disappointment for us, but that's the fate of things that become too expensive in a resource-constrained environment."
The Pentagon has determined that operating the U-2 would be cheaper for the foreseeable future; it won't disclose how much operating the U-2s will cost for security reasons. The government has relied on the U-2 since 1955, when the aircraft was first built and designed under tight security by Lockheed Corp. at its famed Skunk Works facilities in Burbank headed by legendary chief engineer Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson....."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
In our view the value of human life is far greater than the loss of privacy we may be subjected to. To not send an American life into battle or security enforcement and instead rely on technology is well worth considering.
This, is great news on the U-2.
W.J. Hennigan:
"Wars have come and gone. But for more than half a century, the CIA and U.S. military have relied on a skinny sinister-looking black jet to go deep behind enemy lines for vital intelligence-gathering missions.
The high-flying U-2 spy plane was first designed during the Eisenhower administration to breach the iron curtain and, as engineers said, snap "picture postcards for Ike" of hidden military strongholds in the Soviet Union.
And although the plane is perhaps best known for being shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960 and the subsequent capture of pilot Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 continues to play a critical role in national security today, hunting Al Qaeda forces in the Middle East. The aging cold warrior once slated for retirement in 2015 may fight on into the next decade.
The fleet of 33 spycraft was supposed to be replaced in the next few years with RQ-4 Global Hawks, the high-tech drones that have been part of the Air Force since 2001. But this week the Pentagon proposed delaying the U-2's retirement as part of Defense Department cutbacks.
At an estimated cost of $176 million each, the Global Hawk drone had "priced itself out of the niche, in terms of taking pictures in the air," said Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter at a Thursday news conference. "That's a disappointment for us, but that's the fate of things that become too expensive in a resource-constrained environment."
The Pentagon has determined that operating the U-2 would be cheaper for the foreseeable future; it won't disclose how much operating the U-2s will cost for security reasons. The government has relied on the U-2 since 1955, when the aircraft was first built and designed under tight security by Lockheed Corp. at its famed Skunk Works facilities in Burbank headed by legendary chief engineer Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson....."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Bruno Kirchenwitz "Tax dollars at work"
And then there are those out in the public commentary that have spent the last few years pushing away the denial of local governments and power brokers to the point that when they speak up, the entire valley listens.
Who needs the Steve Skinners and SandBoxBlogs of the world when we have Bruno Kirchenwitz?
Bruno Kirchenwitz:
"...If we want to retain the “good” teachers, why were all the teachers rewarded with those ill-conceived bonuses? Because the union says there is no objective way to economically discern between the good and the not so good.
I do hope all those generous taxpayers learn this union lesson well and remember when it comes hat in hand the next time, begging “for the children.”
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Who needs the Steve Skinners and SandBoxBlogs of the world when we have Bruno Kirchenwitz?
Bruno Kirchenwitz:
"...If we want to retain the “good” teachers, why were all the teachers rewarded with those ill-conceived bonuses? Because the union says there is no objective way to economically discern between the good and the not so good.
I do hope all those generous taxpayers learn this union lesson well and remember when it comes hat in hand the next time, begging “for the children.”
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Why is Silt's URA so appalling to BOCC?"
Posting up a letter to the editor by Carl McWilliams of Silt is like walking through a minefield for 'SandBox Nanny'.
She and a very large majority of the local population disagree with many of McWilliams views and how he goes about his anti-gas industry activism.
But today, McWilliams is dead on with his critcism of 'how' Garfield BOCC put Silt through its paces over their Urban Renewal request.
SandBox doesn't think there's some 'grand conspiracy' such as McWilliams insinuates in this letter.
We do think there is a glimpse into a growing sense of empowerment that does make one feel a little uneasy. With that said, we do not believe the friction is because we have an all Republican board of commissioners.
Our impression here on SandBoxBlogs is that the newly elected Jankovsky needs some balancing out and the way to do that is to change our county charter and laws to increase the board size from (3) commissioners to at least (6).
For a county the size of Garfield it is necessary.
As far as Silt and their assistance from GarCo, we know they will spend the money very wisely and the benefits from that renewal will be seen far and wide as a very, very good move on GarCo's part.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
She and a very large majority of the local population disagree with many of McWilliams views and how he goes about his anti-gas industry activism.
But today, McWilliams is dead on with his critcism of 'how' Garfield BOCC put Silt through its paces over their Urban Renewal request.
SandBox doesn't think there's some 'grand conspiracy' such as McWilliams insinuates in this letter.
We do think there is a glimpse into a growing sense of empowerment that does make one feel a little uneasy. With that said, we do not believe the friction is because we have an all Republican board of commissioners.
Our impression here on SandBoxBlogs is that the newly elected Jankovsky needs some balancing out and the way to do that is to change our county charter and laws to increase the board size from (3) commissioners to at least (6).
For a county the size of Garfield it is necessary.
As far as Silt and their assistance from GarCo, we know they will spend the money very wisely and the benefits from that renewal will be seen far and wide as a very, very good move on GarCo's part.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Hecht has agreed to make concessions in Annie’s negotiations"
SandBox sends out a thank you to Nikos Hecht for his tolerance and his patience in dealing with the City of Aspen over Little Annie's.
Sure, it probably was strategic on Hecht's part to sit back after Mayor Mick showed his inner self and let that reality come fully out into the open.
After all, Hecht will be doing business in Aspen for a long, long time and the heavy weight of unnecessary obstruction that the City of Aspen often puts up, with Mick at the wheel, has reached the point of needing to be eliminated from due process.
Eventually term limits, voters and likely elections transparency will give Hecht a hand.
In the meantime, with relative ease and expediency Hecht, Frisch and Torre sat down and worked out the details.
The result is very much a win-win.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Sure, it probably was strategic on Hecht's part to sit back after Mayor Mick showed his inner self and let that reality come fully out into the open.
After all, Hecht will be doing business in Aspen for a long, long time and the heavy weight of unnecessary obstruction that the City of Aspen often puts up, with Mick at the wheel, has reached the point of needing to be eliminated from due process.
Eventually term limits, voters and likely elections transparency will give Hecht a hand.
In the meantime, with relative ease and expediency Hecht, Frisch and Torre sat down and worked out the details.
The result is very much a win-win.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Flying Tomato a cash cannonball"
How many actual reads per day do you think SandBox gets on all local and regional tourism, government and law enforcement news?
Where do you think those reads come from?
How many times per day, after someone in a significant position of power within those three news arenas reads SandBox for the day; do others pound away at that post and take a look for themselves as word spreads?
Dozens. We may be read by others in clandestine ways, a 'guilty obsession' if you will; but we are read. Especially the public comments.
Our local newspapers used to enjoy that notoriety until they began to censor and ban content.
Why is that statement above important on a post up of Steve Skinner's column today?
Because of the way he wrote what he has to say.
Brilliantly done, Skinner pounds a square peg into a round hole by using words. Forcing, simply by the honesty of his words, local governments and power brokers to pay attention with focus aimed at our valley wide tourism marketing and how we spend public funds.
In reality, not disinformation or preconceived perception; what/who is 'SandBox Nanny'?
Why, she's nothing more, in reality, than a pen name and third-party persona that posts and comments on a news aggregate blog. That is all 'she' is. 'SandBox Nanny' is spinning a story in a certain number of words or less. Is it her life story? In reality and the genre of spin and stories told, she is a pen name and third-party persona.
Who is Steve Skinner, in reality? Why, he is nothing more than a guy who happens to write an opinion column for the Aspen Daily News. Will his opinion change as life goes on? Maybe. If so, his column will change. Steve Skinner is spinning a story in a certain number of words or less. Outside of that, he is the same average, everyday person as you are.
Reality, is that both have something to say to the consumer of local news and both provide an outlet for the folks to join in the dialog. When they say what they have to say, most often their words are aimed at public figures and entities in positions of trust. In the case of 'SandBox Nanny' she's simply rounding up content and putting it into the kind of perspective that keeps the door open for individual thought.
From the very well done work of Skinner today, up on the Aspen Daily, it appears that those consumers are listening. Are they listening to both entities?
Probably so.
What do you think?
Would it 'less painful' for those tourism, government and law enforcement entities to hear same, similar or highly likely far more brutal honesty from the folks writing in to their own publications? Probably not. At least entities like SandBox, the Aspen Daily and so many other independent media probably hope not. After all, their very existence and success is based on Independence and voices raised in the power of free speech.
But if folks could go directly to the source of their angst, at least our local media would be dealing with reality instead of continuing to try to pass the buck of responsibility for all their ills off on to individuals like 'SandBox Nanny' and opinion columnists like Steve Skinner.
Support your only locally owned and operated print news. That steady focus known as the Aspen Daily News.
Steve Skinner:
"...This reminds me of how wonderful a tourist economy can be. People come in from all over. They are in a great mood, on vacation and ready to have as much fun as possible. They fill the hotels and restaurants, rent gear, hire taxis, fill the liquor stores and boutiques and then — perhaps best of all — they leave.
Over the past few decades, Aspen got off track by inviting people to buy property here, not just showing them a world class time. Instead of sending them home with memories, we sent them home with timeshares, deeds for land and a piece of the dream. “OWN ASPEN,” one real estate ad crowed.
Despite compromising over the years, Aspen still has some great tourist juice and other communities in the valley could learn a thing or two about what attracts people to come and spend money.
Tourists really like to have something to do. Maybe a concert, a festival, a fair, a bike race, a car show, a drinking competition, weed expo, whatever. Just being in proximity to these kinds of activities has created our “bedroom communities” and now many of them (us) are looking for ways to create jobs and stimulate the bedrooms. None of this will be necessary if SkiCo keeps bringing acts into town like the Flying Tomato.
A family of four from out of state was visiting for the X Games. They were staying in Rifle and spent time at Ski Sunlight, the Glenwood Hot Springs pool, Fatbelly Burgers in Carbondale and, of course, Buttermilk Mountain. They left the area on Monday with plenty of swag, a family vacation in the bag and a strong desire to return for more frolic, maybe in the summer...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Where do you think those reads come from?
How many times per day, after someone in a significant position of power within those three news arenas reads SandBox for the day; do others pound away at that post and take a look for themselves as word spreads?
Dozens. We may be read by others in clandestine ways, a 'guilty obsession' if you will; but we are read. Especially the public comments.
Our local newspapers used to enjoy that notoriety until they began to censor and ban content.
Why is that statement above important on a post up of Steve Skinner's column today?
Because of the way he wrote what he has to say.
Brilliantly done, Skinner pounds a square peg into a round hole by using words. Forcing, simply by the honesty of his words, local governments and power brokers to pay attention with focus aimed at our valley wide tourism marketing and how we spend public funds.
In reality, not disinformation or preconceived perception; what/who is 'SandBox Nanny'?
Why, she's nothing more, in reality, than a pen name and third-party persona that posts and comments on a news aggregate blog. That is all 'she' is. 'SandBox Nanny' is spinning a story in a certain number of words or less. Is it her life story? In reality and the genre of spin and stories told, she is a pen name and third-party persona.
Who is Steve Skinner, in reality? Why, he is nothing more than a guy who happens to write an opinion column for the Aspen Daily News. Will his opinion change as life goes on? Maybe. If so, his column will change. Steve Skinner is spinning a story in a certain number of words or less. Outside of that, he is the same average, everyday person as you are.
Reality, is that both have something to say to the consumer of local news and both provide an outlet for the folks to join in the dialog. When they say what they have to say, most often their words are aimed at public figures and entities in positions of trust. In the case of 'SandBox Nanny' she's simply rounding up content and putting it into the kind of perspective that keeps the door open for individual thought.
From the very well done work of Skinner today, up on the Aspen Daily, it appears that those consumers are listening. Are they listening to both entities?
Probably so.
What do you think?
Would it 'less painful' for those tourism, government and law enforcement entities to hear same, similar or highly likely far more brutal honesty from the folks writing in to their own publications? Probably not. At least entities like SandBox, the Aspen Daily and so many other independent media probably hope not. After all, their very existence and success is based on Independence and voices raised in the power of free speech.
But if folks could go directly to the source of their angst, at least our local media would be dealing with reality instead of continuing to try to pass the buck of responsibility for all their ills off on to individuals like 'SandBox Nanny' and opinion columnists like Steve Skinner.
Support your only locally owned and operated print news. That steady focus known as the Aspen Daily News.
Steve Skinner:
"...This reminds me of how wonderful a tourist economy can be. People come in from all over. They are in a great mood, on vacation and ready to have as much fun as possible. They fill the hotels and restaurants, rent gear, hire taxis, fill the liquor stores and boutiques and then — perhaps best of all — they leave.
Over the past few decades, Aspen got off track by inviting people to buy property here, not just showing them a world class time. Instead of sending them home with memories, we sent them home with timeshares, deeds for land and a piece of the dream. “OWN ASPEN,” one real estate ad crowed.
Despite compromising over the years, Aspen still has some great tourist juice and other communities in the valley could learn a thing or two about what attracts people to come and spend money.
Tourists really like to have something to do. Maybe a concert, a festival, a fair, a bike race, a car show, a drinking competition, weed expo, whatever. Just being in proximity to these kinds of activities has created our “bedroom communities” and now many of them (us) are looking for ways to create jobs and stimulate the bedrooms. None of this will be necessary if SkiCo keeps bringing acts into town like the Flying Tomato.
A family of four from out of state was visiting for the X Games. They were staying in Rifle and spent time at Ski Sunlight, the Glenwood Hot Springs pool, Fatbelly Burgers in Carbondale and, of course, Buttermilk Mountain. They left the area on Monday with plenty of swag, a family vacation in the bag and a strong desire to return for more frolic, maybe in the summer...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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