Liza DeGraff's voice is not the one that District Court Judge Gail Nichols needs to hear.
Judge Nichols needs to remember all the voices that pursued Scott and his family for years in the Aspen and Snowmass communities.
She needs to remember that the culmination of all those voices into a 'moral character' judgement removed the ability for Scott DeGraff, his family, all of his creditors and partners to ever recover any sense of justice or uphold the technical merits of law. Those cumulative voices drove actions against DeGraff that were so far from full truth and reality, they took on a life of their own in the media and internet.
She needs to think about her district she serves and walk back over all the unnecessary actions that some in power took at the time of Scott's death. That 800 lb. gorilla in the room has only gained weight since that time of loss for Liza DeGraff and her children. Unnecessary, pointless and fruitless actions such as the display of force from the Dept. of Revenue.
Saved in a file in her email records, 'SandBox Nanny' holds the heart sounds from many who wrote in on our one post we did when all of us lost Scott DeGraff.
Words of pain that were enhanced to near unbearable weight over the pillorying that did not pass with him. If you knew Scott, it was not hard to find awareness of what were likely some of his thoughts. A good man, a kind and gentle man who so many, many times took the higher road. Who always looked for all sides and resolution. He tried and when he failed, he stood back up and tried again. Somewhere, he is a little more at peace listening to those words being put down anonymously and sent to a stranger. We have no idea the true effect we have on others lives. Yes, ill-intent individuals who are likely very uncomfortable with themselves when Scott enters their thoughts will twist that statement. It is being posted for the living who have no need to look in the mirror.
In the case of Scott DeGraff, one cannot make peace with the notion that suicide is a selfish act. The attacks on his family, his life, his very essence of self were horrific and grossly distorted attacks. It gets worse when one looks around at the players in this story and sees the obvious attempts to cover wrong-doing and unjust enrichment as they took advantage of Scott's nature and his brilliance in business. The notion of Scott DeGraff as selfish is far-fetched. The feeling that his death was wrongful is great.
One email spoke of deep pain over 'staying silent' when truly vile, untruthful and disinforming words were spoken about Scott by prominent and powerful people at a high-end function. Writing anonymously to a stranger eased the hurt. Another friend of the family met regularly with Scott. The environment was a local sport. This person played that sport with others as well. And spoke of outrage they were feeling at how unwanted the verbal assaults on Scott were and that they were subjected to. Ending with a statement that they would have played game after game and day after day with Scott DeGraff before they would want to play again with those who assaulted him behind his back.
Hopefully, Judge Nichols will listen not to the surviving voices in the motions in front of her and instead listen to the community she serves. The law sounds like one of those open to broad interpretation so she may have that broader ability.
One cannot fix dead. There is no ability to bring those passed back to life again. There is no ability to heal life again when faced with what Scott DeGraff faced and his wife and children now bear. None. One can only rebuild.
But there are times when we can draw the voices and needs of the heart that those who have passed have back to us and help make the living whole again. 'SandBox Nanny' on behalf of those anonymous voices who reached out, asks that Judge Nichols do just that in the case of Scott DeGraff.
My best wishes go out to Liza DeGraff, a woman of courage.
I allowed the one previous story posted at Scott's passing to stay up live on blog for only a short time. My thoughts were filled with feelings for the family and the fresh, raw pain I was reading in mails sent to SandBox because I blocked comment ability. The blog was filled with literally hundreds of hits per day during that time, on that one post.
I will leave this post and all posts from this point forward until the ruling is in or the lawsuit is completed with trial. You may comment in directly but will be heavily monitored. (Click title for article)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 5, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Redfern's case should not be prosecuted as ‘assault'"
One doesn't have to form an opinion or pass judgement on Lauren Redfern to engage in the controversy surrounding her arrest.
It's good to see Niki Delson step up and voice an opinion that is being widely talked about regarding Redfern. There are many aspects of what Delson is saying that make sense and ring true.
Niki Delson:
"Sexual abuser. Sexual assault. Child molester. Pedophile. Sex offender.
These words grab our attention, inflame our sensibilities and conjure up images of an innocent victim and predatory offender. We visualize a Jerry Sandusky creating a nonprofit agency to gain access to a helpless child, a priest violating a young boy, a father fondling his daughter, a man creating an online persona in order to gain sexual access to an underage girl.
But should we place a teacher who has a sexual relationship with one of her students in the same category?
The language we use to talk about sexual abuse shapes our conversation and our understanding.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health defines sexual assault as “any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to, including: Inappropriate touching, penetration, sexual intercourse that you say ‘no' to, rape or attempted rape, and child molestation.”
Sexual assault is not consensual. It demeans and diminishes the child victim when the law uses the words “sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust” to describe both the actions of a priest raping a prepubescent child and the actions of a 25-year-old teacher engaged in consensual sexual activity with an almost 18-year-old student. When we label this type of consensual sex as “assault,” we also minimize the real problem of sexual abuse by females...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
It's good to see Niki Delson step up and voice an opinion that is being widely talked about regarding Redfern. There are many aspects of what Delson is saying that make sense and ring true.
Niki Delson:
"Sexual abuser. Sexual assault. Child molester. Pedophile. Sex offender.
These words grab our attention, inflame our sensibilities and conjure up images of an innocent victim and predatory offender. We visualize a Jerry Sandusky creating a nonprofit agency to gain access to a helpless child, a priest violating a young boy, a father fondling his daughter, a man creating an online persona in order to gain sexual access to an underage girl.
But should we place a teacher who has a sexual relationship with one of her students in the same category?
The language we use to talk about sexual abuse shapes our conversation and our understanding.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health defines sexual assault as “any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to, including: Inappropriate touching, penetration, sexual intercourse that you say ‘no' to, rape or attempted rape, and child molestation.”
Sexual assault is not consensual. It demeans and diminishes the child victim when the law uses the words “sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust” to describe both the actions of a priest raping a prepubescent child and the actions of a 25-year-old teacher engaged in consensual sexual activity with an almost 18-year-old student. When we label this type of consensual sex as “assault,” we also minimize the real problem of sexual abuse by females...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel " Heroin spike prompts changes"
Paul Shockley:
"...The Street Crimes Unit, intended eventually to include four officers and one sergeant, is expected to be operating in the coming weeks. The unit was eliminated in August 2010 in the face of budget cuts.
Awarded a nearly $1 million federal grant in September to hire four new officers in order to restore the unit, Camper said the department in recent months had difficulty filling the positions with new hires.
Although their work may overlap, the Drug Task Force is generally focused on mid- to upper-level drug activity, while Street Crimes will be tasked with busting street-level dealing..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"...The Street Crimes Unit, intended eventually to include four officers and one sergeant, is expected to be operating in the coming weeks. The unit was eliminated in August 2010 in the face of budget cuts.
Awarded a nearly $1 million federal grant in September to hire four new officers in order to restore the unit, Camper said the department in recent months had difficulty filling the positions with new hires.
Although their work may overlap, the Drug Task Force is generally focused on mid- to upper-level drug activity, while Street Crimes will be tasked with busting street-level dealing..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "GJ hunter charged with illegally trapping lions for client shooters "
Remember the "coward Richard Kendall" story? The 'hunter' up in Craig who got down on his belly and slither crawled into the den of a hibernating bear? Then claimed a "trophy kill"?
Marvin Ellis and the "hunting guides" he runs with must be friends of Kendall.
Surely this story cannot be accurate that Ellis and friends would tether, trap and bait these lions and bobcats and then take clients out on a guided hunt to shoot them?
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Marvin Ellis and the "hunting guides" he runs with must be friends of Kendall.
Surely this story cannot be accurate that Ellis and friends would tether, trap and bait these lions and bobcats and then take clients out on a guided hunt to shoot them?
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "Family of slain victim asks that suspects not be stereotyped "
The problem is not the commentators.
The problem is the website.
It's called an off button and every comment able website has one.
Moderation is the key, but it does take a human being to implement the policy and follow up on it.
KKCO should take a good look at what they wish to be known for.
From the looks of things in their hub they have inherited all that made the PI and Sentinel hubs become such a discredit to the communities they served. Hopefully, they will take the constructive criticism and do the opposite of what both of those newspapers did in censoring and banning. Instead, make the effort and build a commentary community.
Moderation doesn't curb or cancel free speech abilities. Quite the contrary, actuallly. When people know they can speak up with true anonymity and in a forum that engages in dialog; those people who gave up on the micro-blogging communities return.
Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Abel Roper.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
The problem is the website.
It's called an off button and every comment able website has one.
Moderation is the key, but it does take a human being to implement the policy and follow up on it.
KKCO should take a good look at what they wish to be known for.
From the looks of things in their hub they have inherited all that made the PI and Sentinel hubs become such a discredit to the communities they served. Hopefully, they will take the constructive criticism and do the opposite of what both of those newspapers did in censoring and banning. Instead, make the effort and build a commentary community.
Moderation doesn't curb or cancel free speech abilities. Quite the contrary, actuallly. When people know they can speak up with true anonymity and in a forum that engages in dialog; those people who gave up on the micro-blogging communities return.
Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Abel Roper.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Meadows housing plan hung up over fee waivers"
John Stroud:
"....The waivers are necessary to show city support for the project, to go along with $11 million in low-income tax credits that were awarded to the project by the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), Hud Karshmer of Denver-based Steele Properties emphasized at the March 1 Glenwood Springs City Council meeting.
“Without the fee waivers, you're pulling the bottom out of the house of cards,” he said....
.....Robert Macgregor, developer of the larger Meadows project, warned that CHFA may not look to Glenwood Springs again for a tax-credit-supported housing project if the city doesn't agree to fee waivers for Glenwood Green.
“ThIs would be the final nail in the coffin,” he said. “You won't see another affordable housing project in this city....” (Read more? Click title)
Maybe that's a promise from Macgregor instead of still yet another threat. Taxpayers can only hope. Wouldn't it be terrific to see the developer who built the falling apart "Ghettos" pack up and leave town? There are a lot of Mom and Pop businesses who lost everything to all things Meadows and a number of builders, sub-contractors and construction industry local businesses who are still trying to recover financially from these kinds of schemes and perk demands from Macgregor and cohorts.
Thank Buddha! If it really is a promise instead of a threat.
As far as the 'house of cards' falling down if Macgregor doesn't get to feed the greed; Hud Karshmer sounds a little confused.
It's 'The Ghettos' and it already is falling down.
(whisper...whisper...what 'stinking' cards??..we "don't need no stinking.."cards....whisper...)
Mary Noone made a lot of sense awhile back, didn't she? Did Council listen?
Obviously not if we are now stuck with a 'public street' that is actually a dead-end road built on constantly shifting ground.
Let's see....who's up next that can be cleaned off that dais in the next council race?
"....The waivers are necessary to show city support for the project, to go along with $11 million in low-income tax credits that were awarded to the project by the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), Hud Karshmer of Denver-based Steele Properties emphasized at the March 1 Glenwood Springs City Council meeting.
“Without the fee waivers, you're pulling the bottom out of the house of cards,” he said....
.....Robert Macgregor, developer of the larger Meadows project, warned that CHFA may not look to Glenwood Springs again for a tax-credit-supported housing project if the city doesn't agree to fee waivers for Glenwood Green.
“ThIs would be the final nail in the coffin,” he said. “You won't see another affordable housing project in this city....” (Read more? Click title)
Maybe that's a promise from Macgregor instead of still yet another threat. Taxpayers can only hope. Wouldn't it be terrific to see the developer who built the falling apart "Ghettos" pack up and leave town? There are a lot of Mom and Pop businesses who lost everything to all things Meadows and a number of builders, sub-contractors and construction industry local businesses who are still trying to recover financially from these kinds of schemes and perk demands from Macgregor and cohorts.
Thank Buddha! If it really is a promise instead of a threat.
As far as the 'house of cards' falling down if Macgregor doesn't get to feed the greed; Hud Karshmer sounds a little confused.
It's 'The Ghettos' and it already is falling down.
(whisper...whisper...what 'stinking' cards??..we "don't need no stinking.."cards....whisper...)
Mary Noone made a lot of sense awhile back, didn't she? Did Council listen?
Obviously not if we are now stuck with a 'public street' that is actually a dead-end road built on constantly shifting ground.
Let's see....who's up next that can be cleaned off that dais in the next council race?
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Negative reporting, negative impacts"
Have you ever assumed anything?
Ever engaged in 'just a little gossip'?
Ever held a position of power in the community? A position of trust? Ever taken a sworn oath to uphold duty?
Have you ever been a writer, an investigative reporter or columnist? Ever had the power of the media at your fingertips, either owned by another or created at your own hand?
Have a Facebook page? How about tweets, do you ever tweet 'just a little something' about what you read or hear 3rd party?
What does 'one more layer' of speculation matter? No harm, 'eventually it will work out'.
Ever had any of those kinds of thoughts?
Sure you have. You're a human being.
It's so noticeable and the topic of most conversations up and down the Roaring Fork Valley and I-70 corridor because we are one of the worst areas in the state for social abuse of others.
Yes, we are. We have an abundance of the kinds of stories like Rappaport and Condon. Don't believe it? Spend a couple months touching every single community in the state and their news sources. Do your own investigating.
Yes, we are.
Is it because we are an 'ugly people' with no conscience? Of course not. Is it because we live in an area of the state that has a higher level of material wealth, entitlement, highly intelligent professionals such as lawyers and politicians who have made their living from shrewdly calculating what others think and say? Is it because we've become so absorbed with ourselves that we don't even see decency any longer? Or is it simply logistics and the problem is a handful or two of powerful people with powerful social tools?
Could be. Maybe in part.
It's always best to take the higher road. Doing so usually gives the other person or issue exactly what they thought they wanted. Usually leads them to believe they've hit the jackpot of their own creation.
There is a world of difference between Scott Condon, who is employed by a powerful newspaper spending years targeting Glenn Rappaport with subtle flamer after subtle flamer (and) Glenn Rappaport finally stepping off to the side of that higher road with the realization that the time had come to speak to Scott Condon in a language Condon might finally hear.
A world of difference. Funny how that works when you give back to someone what that person thinks they wanted. There is no one left looking in the mirror today as Glenn's son writes in, other than Scott Condon. Very well done, Glenn.
A thank you goes out to the Aspen Daily News for being the first stop most locals make when they want their voices heard. That's an earned honor.
A special thank you goes out to Glenn's son, Nelson Harvey. For stepping off to the side of that higher road with his Dad. Well done.
"...but that’s precisely what happened. When Glenn resigned shortly thereafter, Condon’s press coverage played up complaints from some observers who thought he had acted improperly in the Rebekah Lodge case. Glenn was clean, but his name was forever sullied with the “conflict of interest” charge.
Furthermore, Condon published an article featuring concerns about the aesthetics of Glenn’s design for his proposed addition. (The design of the addition was not a part of the application.)
This set off a domino effect: The Rebekah Lodge owner scrapped the addition project, due to the negative press. Glenn lost his contract, and the town lost a pocket park. Most reporters can only dream of having this sort of impact, sinister as its effects may be.
I happen to know that Glenn resigned in 1998 for family reason — I was one of four children and step-children who had entered his life in the previous two years. Freedman’s contention, in her letter, that “ ... there is no indication that his family situation had changed,” is groundless and out of line.
Glenn Rappaport, my step-father, has been a dedicated public servant in the Roaring Fork Valley for 25 years. He has applied his energy to numerous public projects, often without compensation. His love for Basalt is unmatched, and he hopes to further serve the town as mayor. We won’t let erroneous press stand in his way." (Read the rest? Click title)
Nelson Harvey
Carbondale
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Ever engaged in 'just a little gossip'?
Ever held a position of power in the community? A position of trust? Ever taken a sworn oath to uphold duty?
Have you ever been a writer, an investigative reporter or columnist? Ever had the power of the media at your fingertips, either owned by another or created at your own hand?
Have a Facebook page? How about tweets, do you ever tweet 'just a little something' about what you read or hear 3rd party?
What does 'one more layer' of speculation matter? No harm, 'eventually it will work out'.
Ever had any of those kinds of thoughts?
Sure you have. You're a human being.
It's so noticeable and the topic of most conversations up and down the Roaring Fork Valley and I-70 corridor because we are one of the worst areas in the state for social abuse of others.
Yes, we are. We have an abundance of the kinds of stories like Rappaport and Condon. Don't believe it? Spend a couple months touching every single community in the state and their news sources. Do your own investigating.
Yes, we are.
Is it because we are an 'ugly people' with no conscience? Of course not. Is it because we live in an area of the state that has a higher level of material wealth, entitlement, highly intelligent professionals such as lawyers and politicians who have made their living from shrewdly calculating what others think and say? Is it because we've become so absorbed with ourselves that we don't even see decency any longer? Or is it simply logistics and the problem is a handful or two of powerful people with powerful social tools?
Could be. Maybe in part.
It's always best to take the higher road. Doing so usually gives the other person or issue exactly what they thought they wanted. Usually leads them to believe they've hit the jackpot of their own creation.
There is a world of difference between Scott Condon, who is employed by a powerful newspaper spending years targeting Glenn Rappaport with subtle flamer after subtle flamer (and) Glenn Rappaport finally stepping off to the side of that higher road with the realization that the time had come to speak to Scott Condon in a language Condon might finally hear.
A world of difference. Funny how that works when you give back to someone what that person thinks they wanted. There is no one left looking in the mirror today as Glenn's son writes in, other than Scott Condon. Very well done, Glenn.
A thank you goes out to the Aspen Daily News for being the first stop most locals make when they want their voices heard. That's an earned honor.
A special thank you goes out to Glenn's son, Nelson Harvey. For stepping off to the side of that higher road with his Dad. Well done.
"...but that’s precisely what happened. When Glenn resigned shortly thereafter, Condon’s press coverage played up complaints from some observers who thought he had acted improperly in the Rebekah Lodge case. Glenn was clean, but his name was forever sullied with the “conflict of interest” charge.
Furthermore, Condon published an article featuring concerns about the aesthetics of Glenn’s design for his proposed addition. (The design of the addition was not a part of the application.)
This set off a domino effect: The Rebekah Lodge owner scrapped the addition project, due to the negative press. Glenn lost his contract, and the town lost a pocket park. Most reporters can only dream of having this sort of impact, sinister as its effects may be.
I happen to know that Glenn resigned in 1998 for family reason — I was one of four children and step-children who had entered his life in the previous two years. Freedman’s contention, in her letter, that “ ... there is no indication that his family situation had changed,” is groundless and out of line.
Glenn Rappaport, my step-father, has been a dedicated public servant in the Roaring Fork Valley for 25 years. He has applied his energy to numerous public projects, often without compensation. His love for Basalt is unmatched, and he hopes to further serve the town as mayor. We won’t let erroneous press stand in his way." (Read the rest? Click title)
Nelson Harvey
Carbondale
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Curious Nature: Spring fever means coyote love"
Jessica Foulis:
"The sun is shining. The patios are overflowing. The neon one-sies are making their appearance. It must be springtime!
Here in the valley, we all know what March brings … spring fever! We are all getting geared up for spring skiing and summer activities, and love is in the air. Believe it or not, coyotes also get spring fever as the females are in breeding condition for five days per year between January and March. Coyotes generally court for two to three months before mating for life. When they are expecting, pairs will dig a natal den in a sheltered area, much like a human couple painting the nursery. Both parents, and many times pups from previous litters, help care for the young. Pups may emerge from the den when they are as young as two weeks old and are weaned at about six weeks of age. During these first weeks, important developmental interactions occur during play with littermates. Coyotes are social animals and these play fights, with aggression, submission, and posturing, establish the groundwork for future dominance relationships. Not only is the coyote social structure similar to that of humans, but coyotes are one of the few animals whose distribution increases in conjunction with humans..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The sun is shining. The patios are overflowing. The neon one-sies are making their appearance. It must be springtime!
Here in the valley, we all know what March brings … spring fever! We are all getting geared up for spring skiing and summer activities, and love is in the air. Believe it or not, coyotes also get spring fever as the females are in breeding condition for five days per year between January and March. Coyotes generally court for two to three months before mating for life. When they are expecting, pairs will dig a natal den in a sheltered area, much like a human couple painting the nursery. Both parents, and many times pups from previous litters, help care for the young. Pups may emerge from the den when they are as young as two weeks old and are weaned at about six weeks of age. During these first weeks, important developmental interactions occur during play with littermates. Coyotes are social animals and these play fights, with aggression, submission, and posturing, establish the groundwork for future dominance relationships. Not only is the coyote social structure similar to that of humans, but coyotes are one of the few animals whose distribution increases in conjunction with humans..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race"
And the moment the world has been waiting for has finally arrived.
How did Lo Semple and Ro Marolt finish in the Power of Four race this past weekend? Exactly, how.
Aspen Daily News:
37 27 Mens 12 Lo Semple 8:46:34 8:46:36
37 27 Mens 12 Ro Marolt 8:46:36 8:46:36
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
How did Lo Semple and Ro Marolt finish in the Power of Four race this past weekend? Exactly, how.
Aspen Daily News:
37 27 Mens 12 Lo Semple 8:46:34 8:46:36
37 27 Mens 12 Ro Marolt 8:46:36 8:46:36
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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