January 26, 2012, Note from 'SandBox Nanny':
(Now that DA Beeson has thrown his hat in the ring for district attorney in the 9th, please take note that there will be no special treatment given to any news press surrounding his race. His articles, if they are SandBox worthy or chosen in the daily agg run-up; will be put up just like anyone else in a political race. What SandBox Commentators will continue to do, is heavily moderate his articles. We are the only news media that provides the courtesty of moderating commentary from the general public on 9th Judicial District and Mr. Beeson's articles. )
Tom Silverman:
"Martin Beeson has announced his candidacy for a third term as district attorney for the 9th Judicial District while calling it a second term to avoid term limits.
In doing so he put a bizarre twist on the familiar campaign shout of “Four more years!” to “Four-hundred more years!” by bragging that he had obtained that many years in sentences to prison.
Third terms are plainly prohibited by the Colorado Constitution he has taken an oath to defend.
Article XVIII, section 11 states “… no non-judicial [elected] official … shall serve more than two consecutive terms in office …” DAs included.
Beeson finishes his second consecutive term this year.
The end result of his interpretation allows serving about 11 years instead of a maximum of eight. His interpretation is part of the arrogance of power the amendment was trying to avoid.
My objection to his candidacy isn’t focused on the term-limits issue though. My objection to his being DA is that he’s just so darn bad at it.
No respectable prosecutor would bathe in the mud of claiming pride in having obtained 400 years of sentences for people he prosecuted. It ignores the function of the prosecutor to make that boast.
This “count the years” measure of prosecutorial success has serious flaws.
A prosecutor’s job is to do justice and do it within the rules. If a byproduct of that includes long sentences for people who deserve it, so be it, but it’s not like notches on a gun belt in the Old West...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 10, 2012
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent " Re-1 open to addressing SRO concerns"
Our police chiefs already dealt with this issue of AYUA and the majority of the public has already spoken out loud and clear that the RE-1 School District should have absolutely no involvement in this political issue.
AYUA and CIRC have still not come forward and discussed their concerns directly with law enforcement as is proper and within law.
For RE-1 to give these organizations the ability to push their political agenda at the expense of our SRO programs and our law enforcement community is outrageous at this point.
Here is where the real concern should be (in bold):
John Stroud:
"...Biggs advised students attending the Wednesday night school board meeting.
“I have talked to the police chiefs, and hopefully we can come up with an appropriate assignment [job] description for SROs that addresses some of your concerns,” Biggs said.
“I agree, we have a lot of students who are undocumented, and that does not make them a criminal,” he added. “I do not want our students to feel that way.”
While the school district participates in and partially funds the SRO programs in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Basalt schools, the officers themselves are employees of the local police departments. Among their many duties is to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies, Biggs said.
“I'm afraid that if we adopt a policy that restricts that collaboration, we will lose the opportunity to have SROs at all,” he said...." (Read more? Click title)
Technically, Mr. Biggs. There are two criminal issues present with undocumented (illegal foreign nationals) in our public schools. The illegal foreign alien themselves and the public school officials who are allowing falsified registration paperwork to be used to draw federal funding for those illegal bodies seated in our desks.
What happens to our children who are legal citizens if law enforcement does what they should do and that is pull the SRO program?
Our local police chiefs had the right take on this. Send those protesting youngsters down to have a chat with the cops instead of risking a school program that is in place for safety to all.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
AYUA and CIRC have still not come forward and discussed their concerns directly with law enforcement as is proper and within law.
For RE-1 to give these organizations the ability to push their political agenda at the expense of our SRO programs and our law enforcement community is outrageous at this point.
Here is where the real concern should be (in bold):
John Stroud:
"...Biggs advised students attending the Wednesday night school board meeting.
“I have talked to the police chiefs, and hopefully we can come up with an appropriate assignment [job] description for SROs that addresses some of your concerns,” Biggs said.
“I agree, we have a lot of students who are undocumented, and that does not make them a criminal,” he added. “I do not want our students to feel that way.”
While the school district participates in and partially funds the SRO programs in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Basalt schools, the officers themselves are employees of the local police departments. Among their many duties is to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies, Biggs said.
“I'm afraid that if we adopt a policy that restricts that collaboration, we will lose the opportunity to have SROs at all,” he said...." (Read more? Click title)
Technically, Mr. Biggs. There are two criminal issues present with undocumented (illegal foreign nationals) in our public schools. The illegal foreign alien themselves and the public school officials who are allowing falsified registration paperwork to be used to draw federal funding for those illegal bodies seated in our desks.
What happens to our children who are legal citizens if law enforcement does what they should do and that is pull the SRO program?
Our local police chiefs had the right take on this. Send those protesting youngsters down to have a chat with the cops instead of risking a school program that is in place for safety to all.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Garfield County Public Information "Free Documentary Film: "The Playground" "
GLENWOOD POST Jan. 31, 2012
“Child Prostitution ring used Glenwood hotel rooms. Indictment charges 14 metro Denver residents with human trafficking.” (Learn more? Click link)
"The Community is Invited to Attend a FREE Screening of the Documentary Film:
Panel Discussion to Follow with Guests: Film Producer Gayle Embrey, Human Trafficking Project Manager for COVA Annakan Mendoze-Toews, FBI Victim Advocate Anne Darr, and Special Agent, Christopher Carter, with Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
Synopsis: Co-produced by local Gayle Embrey, George Clooney, Steven Soderbergh & Grant Heslov. The recent investigation has revealed that Glenwood Springs is not sheltered from the child prostitution industry. It’s location on the I-70 corridor in fact puts our community at greater risk. In an effort to raise local awareness, the Childhelp River Bridge Multi-Disciplinary team is hosting a screening of the groundbreaking filn1″The Playground” that looks at the multi-million dollar pedophilia industry. Filmmaker Libby Spears infiltrates the brothels of Asia, then traces the sex trade back to America. Her investigation reveals that it is as easy to buy a child in the US as it is in Asia. Speaking to pimps, victims and police officers, she exposes how young children are pushed into prostitution. Running alongside the investigation are the personal stories of the victims.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
“Child Prostitution ring used Glenwood hotel rooms. Indictment charges 14 metro Denver residents with human trafficking.” (Learn more? Click link)
"The Community is Invited to Attend a FREE Screening of the Documentary Film:
“The Playground”
by Libby Spears
Wed. February 15, 2012
6:30pm-8:30pm
Glenwood Springs Community Center
THIS EVENT IS HOSTED BY
Childhelp River Bridge Multi-Disciplinary Team serving Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin & Rio Blanco CountiesTo reserve a seat go to http://documentaryfilmtheplayground or call 945-5195"
SandBox Comments: SkyHi Daily "Feds to take custody of suspects in crime scene tampering case"
"Kimberly Mae McCaffery, 35, and Jerod Morris Reeves, 29, have been charged in U.S. District Court in Denver with four federal crimes: bank fraud, conspiracy, fraud with identification documents, and unlawful transportation of a firearm.
The charges stem from crimes Reeves and McCaffery allegedly committed after fleeing the scene of a father-son murder-suicide on County Road 102 near the Trough Road in December. They also face local charges for crimes they alleged committed at the scene.
According to officials at U.S. Attorney's office in Denver, McCaffery and Reeves will be transported out of Grand County by federal marshals into federal custody. They declined to provide specific dates because of security concerns..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
The charges stem from crimes Reeves and McCaffery allegedly committed after fleeing the scene of a father-son murder-suicide on County Road 102 near the Trough Road in December. They also face local charges for crimes they alleged committed at the scene.
According to officials at U.S. Attorney's office in Denver, McCaffery and Reeves will be transported out of Grand County by federal marshals into federal custody. They declined to provide specific dates because of security concerns..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Colorado News Agency "Colorado’s law-and-order AG blows hot and cold on states’ rights"
Peter Blake with credit to Colorado News Agency:
"So, are Colorado’s medical marijuana dispensaries supposed to bring in satchels full of cash to the Revenue Department in order to pay their taxes?
That’s about what they have to do now, since the state’s banks and credit unions refuse to handle their accounts for fear of federal retribution.
A bill pending in the legislature would enable the dispensaries to set up their own “financial cooperative,” which would let them make deposits, write checks and, basically, carry on like any other business or household with a bank account. It would work like a credit union, open only to members, but it wouldn’t be allowed to use that term.
The bill would permit the co-op to seek private deposit insurance, since federal deposit insurance agencies like the FDIC won’t help.
“A lack of banking leads to 1) decrease in public safety, particularly for patients, employees and business owners, and 2) less accountability to local, state and federal tax collectors,” says Michael Elliott, executive director of the Medical Marijuana Industry Group.
But Senate Bill 75 is opposed by Attorney General John Suthers, among others, and he or a deputy is likely to testify against it when it comes up in the Senate Finance Committee on Valentine’s Day.
The last financial institution to handle medical marijuana accounts, Colorado Springs Bank, bailed out of that business last September. Like the bigger banks that dropped them earlier, it was afraid of retribution from the Drug Enforcement Agency, which could prosecute it for money laundering.
Suthers, said a spokesman, will oppose the bill for reasons outlined in a letter he received from U.S. Attorney John Walsh last spring. That letter reminded him that “the prosecution of individuals and organizations involved in the trade of any illegal drugs and the disruption of drug trafficking organizations is a core priority” of the Justice Department...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"So, are Colorado’s medical marijuana dispensaries supposed to bring in satchels full of cash to the Revenue Department in order to pay their taxes?
That’s about what they have to do now, since the state’s banks and credit unions refuse to handle their accounts for fear of federal retribution.
A bill pending in the legislature would enable the dispensaries to set up their own “financial cooperative,” which would let them make deposits, write checks and, basically, carry on like any other business or household with a bank account. It would work like a credit union, open only to members, but it wouldn’t be allowed to use that term.
The bill would permit the co-op to seek private deposit insurance, since federal deposit insurance agencies like the FDIC won’t help.
“A lack of banking leads to 1) decrease in public safety, particularly for patients, employees and business owners, and 2) less accountability to local, state and federal tax collectors,” says Michael Elliott, executive director of the Medical Marijuana Industry Group.
But Senate Bill 75 is opposed by Attorney General John Suthers, among others, and he or a deputy is likely to testify against it when it comes up in the Senate Finance Committee on Valentine’s Day.
The last financial institution to handle medical marijuana accounts, Colorado Springs Bank, bailed out of that business last September. Like the bigger banks that dropped them earlier, it was afraid of retribution from the Drug Enforcement Agency, which could prosecute it for money laundering.
Suthers, said a spokesman, will oppose the bill for reasons outlined in a letter he received from U.S. Attorney John Walsh last spring. That letter reminded him that “the prosecution of individuals and organizations involved in the trade of any illegal drugs and the disruption of drug trafficking organizations is a core priority” of the Justice Department...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "RFTA board split over policy statement on gas exploration"
(See related story here and here)
It's about the money. RFTA's concern is that they're going to upset very powerful elected commissioners and concilmen who give them handout and bailout money without blinking an eye.
"There's always more money for RFTA" is a local mantra. Never mind that our homeless, hungry, unemployed populations are at record high levels. 'Nothing to be concerned about' while our tourism sales stay flat. "There's always more money for RFTA".
The call for the Roaring Fork Transit Authority to become self-sustaining is one that has been shouted out by taxpayers for years.
Taxpayers who are reading this spin out of RFTA this morning, as RFTA attempts to appease EnCana so they can grab up the $365,000 EnCana is offering in a grant towards CNG busses, while at the same time doing the shuck and jive so that Pitkin County commissioners and Aspen City Council stay happy.
Here's another factor thrown in to the wringing of hands currently going on in RFTA admin:
Better decide quick because at the next election cycle for Aspen Council and PitCo commissioners, voters may choose to sweep them both clean and elect conservative values who will neutralize the problem on both sides.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
It's about the money. RFTA's concern is that they're going to upset very powerful elected commissioners and concilmen who give them handout and bailout money without blinking an eye.
"There's always more money for RFTA" is a local mantra. Never mind that our homeless, hungry, unemployed populations are at record high levels. 'Nothing to be concerned about' while our tourism sales stay flat. "There's always more money for RFTA".
The call for the Roaring Fork Transit Authority to become self-sustaining is one that has been shouted out by taxpayers for years.
Taxpayers who are reading this spin out of RFTA this morning, as RFTA attempts to appease EnCana so they can grab up the $365,000 EnCana is offering in a grant towards CNG busses, while at the same time doing the shuck and jive so that Pitkin County commissioners and Aspen City Council stay happy.
Here's another factor thrown in to the wringing of hands currently going on in RFTA admin:
Better decide quick because at the next election cycle for Aspen Council and PitCo commissioners, voters may choose to sweep them both clean and elect conservative values who will neutralize the problem on both sides.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Skico backs employee"
Maybe the phrase "intensely dislike" is better to use than the word "hate".
Locals "intensely dislike" the way the Aspen Times is attempting to bring back commentary in their hub. So much so, they continue to boycott and ignore the Times.
But every now and again, there comes a topic they are so passionate over; they step in and make sure that spin is straightened out and truth is seen.
Does Aspen Skico do good things for the community? Of course.
Do they still prey on the same communities as they line their bank accounts? Of course.
That is the enigma of the Aspen Ski Corp. Is it "vulture capitalism"? Some think so. Are their actions misleading? Maybe. No one can argue with their actions showing in the public eye as blurred and lacking in transparency.
Will the Aspen Ski Corp ever again enjoy unbridled freedom to do as they wish in the Roaring Fork Valley?
Not if the communities within that valley have anything to say about it.
"Intensely dislike" local media's attempts to censor, or no.
Click title to read Mongo's Letter to the Editor today. Up on the Aspen Times.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Locals "intensely dislike" the way the Aspen Times is attempting to bring back commentary in their hub. So much so, they continue to boycott and ignore the Times.
But every now and again, there comes a topic they are so passionate over; they step in and make sure that spin is straightened out and truth is seen.
Does Aspen Skico do good things for the community? Of course.
Do they still prey on the same communities as they line their bank accounts? Of course.
That is the enigma of the Aspen Ski Corp. Is it "vulture capitalism"? Some think so. Are their actions misleading? Maybe. No one can argue with their actions showing in the public eye as blurred and lacking in transparency.
Will the Aspen Ski Corp ever again enjoy unbridled freedom to do as they wish in the Roaring Fork Valley?
Not if the communities within that valley have anything to say about it.
"Intensely dislike" local media's attempts to censor, or no.
Click title to read Mongo's Letter to the Editor today. Up on the Aspen Times.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Mountain Mail "Council approval creates downtown creative district "
Since passage of House Bill 1031 last year, the state has been encouraging communities to designate creative districts.
The district will benefit Salida by attracting creative entrepreneurs and artists, creating hubs of economic activity and showcasing artistic events.
Dara MacDonald, interim city administrator, said SteamPlant employees submitted a grant Jan. 30 to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to enhance the downtown creative district...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)