February 11, 2012

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "ZG: Gondola talk: Loose lips sink ships"

As the Fates would have it.....

ZG:
"Message to SkiCo: What happens in the bucket does not stay in the bucket.

A certain loose-lipped SkiCo executive picked an inopportune time to rant about Lee Mulcahy last weekend. The exec and a lady friend stepped into a gondola car on Ajax last Saturday morning, where ZG was seated. As the gondola car headed past Niagara, the company man’s lady friend asked him about Mulcahy, and all of a sudden, verbal diarrhea began pouring of out of the mouth.

Mr. SkiCo apparently didn’t recognize ZG as the news-nosed ski town scandal-monger that he is, because Mr. SkiCo let out a profuse and profane tirade about Mulcahy’s recent libel lawsuit against company CEO Mike Kaplan. Among the gems in his gondola ride venting session: He suggested that Aspen should build an “A**hole Hall of Fame” and make Mulcahy the first inductee, because he is “the biggest a**hole Aspen’s ever seen.”

Hmm. ZG wouldn’t nominate Lee for an A**hole Hall of Fame ... but if there were ever a self-aggrandizing d-bag hall of fame, he’d make a strong candidate.

And SkiCo folks: ZG would like to see some more of this candid side of you. Let’s take a gondy lap...."

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Delta County Independent "DAs apologize for actions of one of their own"

(See related story and public comments here)

Colorado District Attorney's Council President Larry R. Abrahamson:

"Dear Editor:

As district attorneys, and in accordance with our ethical guidelines, we withheld comment on the charges against Myrl Serra, former district attorney in the 7th Judicial District, during the pendency of the proceedings. Since Mr. Serra has been convicted and sentenced, it is necessary for us to openly address his conduct.

As president of the Colorado District Attorney's Council, I am speaking for all the elected prosecutors in our organization in writing this letter. There are four points we would like to make.

First, we express our sincere apologies and sympathy to the victims in this case and all those who were affected by Mr. Serra's illegal and destructive actions. The scars left by such actions are often lifelong. We also recognize the lasting harm caused by these crimes to the community and to the outstanding staff of the district attorney's office in the 7th Judicial District.

Second, as the state's prosecutors, we are held to a higher standard — as we should be. When one of us violates the law, we will not hesitate to openly and publicly take a position expressing our abhorrence of the activities that have brought disrepute to our profession. Mr. Serra's acts have not only created great harm to the victims and his community but have tarnished the reputation of prosecutors who are committed to the highest ethical standards in the legal profession...."

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Jury acquits suspect of assault on Aspen police officer"

(See related story and comments here)

Rick Carroll:
"...While en route to Pitkin County Jail, where Brown was to be held for an indefinite amount of time, he spit at Williams, who testified that saliva went on his neck and shoulder.

“Do you realize you just assaulted a police officer?” Williams says on the video, and then calls his work supervisor to report the crime.

Replied Brown: “I didn't touch you.”

Brown later said: “Are you kidding me? Assault, my a--hole. Third-degree assault on a police officer? You've got to be kidding me.”

Brown's public defender, Elise Myer, had argued that while he behaved inappropriately and said derogatory remarks, he “did not cross the line” to commit assault.

“He's allowed to express himself,” she said. “He's allowed to use words. He shouldn't be subject to criminal liability for that....”  (Read more?  Click title and link within post)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Correction: Antero drilling on Silt Mesa"

Let's see if we can bring this very significant "error" in reporting by John Colson against Antero Resources, off the 'buried in the cellar' pages of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and out into the bright sunshine and light of day:

John Colson:
"A Feb. 10 story about Antero Resources' plans for gas drilling in the Cactus Valley area near Silt mischaracterized the company's statements.

If the Cactus Valley federal drilling unit is fully developed using current technology, it will involve construction of up to 65 drilling pads, with the potential for multiple wells from each pad, according to Kevin Kilstrom, Antero vice president.

In addition, leases included in the federal unit will not be extended indefinitely, and the length of extensions will be governed by the unit agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Kilstrom said."



"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Delta County Independent "Anti-drilling campaign based on fear, not science"

Sharon Riegel:

"...The leasing prospect has become synonymous with “poisoned water supply” and earthquakes and fracking. None of these events are likely, at least in the Crawford area. For instance the Crawford Town Council is concerned that the town’s spring and water supply will be contaminated. However, according to several reputable petroleum geologists, there is almost a zero chance that any wells would ever be drilled on the flanks of Landsend Mountain. In addition the stratigraphic section that would be penetrated by any wells in the Crawford area does not lend itself to any unconventional resource which might need fracking in order to produce oil and/or gas.

I live in this county, have two grandchildren that live in this county and care about its natural resources and its future. My background includes managing a substantial pollution prevention program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for eight years and working in the oil and gas industry for 10 years. Following is the letter I submitted to the Bureau of Land Management.

“As a resident of Crawford, I would like to voice my strong support for the oil and gas leasing process in Delta County. I believe the BLM process should go forward and the nomination of leases should not be withdrawn...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Frontier Airlines to end Aspen service in April"

Chad Abraham:

"Frontier Airlines will end its Aspen service on April 16, a move that will eliminate 16 percent of the daily number of seats coming into Sardy Field and one that sets the stage for costlier airfares.

Aspen tourism officials were disappointed by Friday’s announcement but not surprised given Frontier’s $120 million restructuring following the company’s bankruptcy filing in 2008.

For months, Frontier, which lost $90 million in the first quarter of 2011, has been trying to sell its four-plane fleet of Bombardier Q-400 turboprops as part of cost-cutting measures. They are the company’s only aircraft capable of flying into Aspen’s small airport.

“This was a matter of when, not if,” said Bill Tomcich, president of reservations agency Stay Aspen Snowmass, of Frontier’s exit from Aspen. “We’ve known for a long time that these aircraft would disappear.”

Tomcich, who also serves as Aspen’s liaison to airlines, said it was not clear whether the company had sold the four planes or decided that they were simply too inefficient to continue operating..." (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Stars and Stripes "Marine awarded Silver Star for heroism in Afghanistan"

Thank you for your service, Sgt. McCulloch.  You are so appreciated.  Come home safe.

"For his actions on Jan. 8, 2011 in Sangin, Afghanistan, Sgt. Philip McCulloch Jr. was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest medal for valor in combat.

The San Diego Union-Tribune provided this account of the battle in Sangin:

"The young Marine could have gone home after he was blasted by a rocket-propelled grenade. But Sgt. Philip McCulloch Jr., like many of his brothers-in-arms wounded on that tour to Afghanistan, begged to be sent back to the front lines after recuperating at a rear base.

"The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit from Camp Pendleton, was encircled by enemy fighters in a fierce and protracted battle for the Sangin valley. By the time the Marines finished their seven-month tour last spring, they had lost 25 killed and some 200 wounded – the worst casualties of any battalion in the decade-long war.

"McCulloch, 22 at the time and serving his third combat tour after two previous stints in Iraq, rejoined the battalion and later led his squad on a six-hour running battle against a larger force of enemy fighters. They only turned back to base for lack of ammunition."

Read more about Sgt. McCulloch and the Silver Star ceremony in the San Diego Union-Tribune"

SandBox Comments: Stars and Stripes "Southern Exposure: Mission in Antarctica "

Because they have all this way cool heavy equipment...like mongo size planes with 'skis' attached to the wheels....and huge, huge all terrain vehicles....and they like the cute little penquins enough to take lots of pictures and videos of them....and because they're on a mission for the United States of America.....

Those are the reasons that 'SandBox Nanny' seeks out the stories of our military when they head to Antartica.  (See all the news from Stars and Stripes on this mission?  Watch the penguins?  Click title)


SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Medals recognize call to duty in World War II "

Nick Bonham:

"As a young woman stationed stateside in the Navy during World War II, Sonia "Sunny" Evans didn't think she was worthy of a service medal.

On Friday, nearly seven decades later, the 87-year-old was presented with the American Campaign and WWII Victory medals.

"I was so touched," Evans said. "Inever expected an acknowledgement from anybody."

Evans received her medals at a ceremony at the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce in a ceremony organized through The Retired Enlisted Association and the chamber's military advisory board...."
(Read more?  Click title)

WWII Veteran Sonia Evans, thank you for your service.  You're an inspiration to Colorado women and are so appreciated.

Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: USMCZen "Winter River"

All credit:  Kevin McIntyre @USMCZen