Hmmmm....so, how does this work? Taxpayers pay for state PUC...and PUC is acting solely on a complaint by a private company (High Mountain Taxi) that obviously has a vendetta against Phil and yet gets all their legal fees and costs paid for by the state......and the taxpayers are pretty darn upset with the PUC for the entire debacle?
If Phil pays the 'fine', do the taxpayers get a refund on any of this mess and High Mountain Taxi finally steps up to pitch in to cover the state's costs? Seems fair considering if Phil doesn't pay this 'fine' he's going to be in contempt again and headed back to jail.
So, how about you?
Still boycotting High Mountain Taxi in Aspen, Colorado? Good for you. Buzz has it that so are most area residents. Wonder how long it will take HIGH MOUNTAIN TAXI in ASPEN, COLORADO to launch another vendetta against Phil because they're so upset over their continued loss of business?
Chad Abraham:
"If the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) gets its way, rouge cabbie Phil Sullivan will have to cough up $1,107.79 to pay for the hotel stays and other travel expenses of investigators and attorneys that came to Aspen to shut him down.
Meanwhile, the PUC is investigating whether a nonprofit organization recently formed by the Woody Creek man complies with statutory requirements that would exempt the corporation from state oversight. The tactic was conceived of by Sullivan’s attorney as a way to allow him to legally continue giving people free rides around town while accepting donations.
A six-year battle between the public utilities commission (PUC) and Phil Sullivan has resulted in two jail terms totaling about two weeks for the 76-year-old. He was found to have violated a district judge’s court order prohibiting him from giving rides around Aspen for tips.
On Monday, Judge Gail Nichols of Pitkin County District Court approved the PUC’s motion to bill Sullivan for the agency’s travel costs in pursuing the case. The expenses, which are related to the state’s most recent investigation of Sullivan last summer, amounted to $1,107.79...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 14, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Our View: Allocate revenues based on merit"
"Revenue from the city of Steamboat Springs’ half-cent sales tax for education should not be treated as a de facto subsidy for the Steamboat Springs School District. Thus, the Education Fund Board should continue to approve grant requests based solely on merit and outcomes, no matter which organization or body submits the request.
That’s not necessarily the way Steamboat Springs School Board officials see things, as board member Robin Crossan made clear last week by questioning the value of funding requests from community groups, when such requests could come at the expense of what the Steamboat school district wants.
We hope Fund Board members don’t lose sight of the fact that many of the education-oriented, nonprofit community groups are requesting a small amount of money for the continuation of longstanding and successful school-based programs. And we wish the Steamboat Springs School District would focus more on producing its own strong, outcome-based funding requests than worrying that some of the community tax dollars might go to other entities...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
That’s not necessarily the way Steamboat Springs School Board officials see things, as board member Robin Crossan made clear last week by questioning the value of funding requests from community groups, when such requests could come at the expense of what the Steamboat school district wants.
We hope Fund Board members don’t lose sight of the fact that many of the education-oriented, nonprofit community groups are requesting a small amount of money for the continuation of longstanding and successful school-based programs. And we wish the Steamboat Springs School District would focus more on producing its own strong, outcome-based funding requests than worrying that some of the community tax dollars might go to other entities...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KJCT News 8 "Re-2 School District Approves 4 Day Weeks"
It is hard. Has been hard to watch as well.
But sooner or later, our public schools and publicaly funded education had to get a wake-up call because somewhere along the way they just found it way too easy to stick their hand out for public money and live on credit.
There is no reason whatsoever that taxpayers should be funding public education when there are so many alternatives out there that could make our public education system self-sustaining.
RE-2, out of necessity, has just hit on one of those ways. Four day school weeks. Now take it a step further and start after Labor Day with an end to the year right before Memorial Day. Cut back on vacation/break times to make up the difference. The end result will be far greater efficiency and lower operating costs.
While on a roll, here's to RE-2 pulling together a push toward lawmakers to break up the Parks and Rec 'hogs' who scarf up all the gaming and lottery proceeds. That cash cow whould be divided equally between parks and rec, K-12 education, road and bridge and law enforcement.
Don Coleman:
"NEW CASTLE, Colo. -- Garfield County's Re-2 school district will join more than 50 others across the state on a four day school week next year. The decision was handed down at Tuesday night's school board meeting and is part of an effort to cut costs with a $1.7million to $2.2 million shortfall looming.
After a lengthy meeting, the board voted four to one in favor of shortening school weeks.
"To me, it's probably our most positive option," School Board President Chris Pearson said. "It was a tough decision, but probably the easiest to make now that we're considering 'big ticket items.'"
Pearson says this choice is one of the only ones that offsets costs without affecting the staff too much.
The school district's financial department expects the move will save the district around $500,000 next year through fuel reductions, hourly staff reductions, and savings on utilities....:" (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
But sooner or later, our public schools and publicaly funded education had to get a wake-up call because somewhere along the way they just found it way too easy to stick their hand out for public money and live on credit.
There is no reason whatsoever that taxpayers should be funding public education when there are so many alternatives out there that could make our public education system self-sustaining.
RE-2, out of necessity, has just hit on one of those ways. Four day school weeks. Now take it a step further and start after Labor Day with an end to the year right before Memorial Day. Cut back on vacation/break times to make up the difference. The end result will be far greater efficiency and lower operating costs.
While on a roll, here's to RE-2 pulling together a push toward lawmakers to break up the Parks and Rec 'hogs' who scarf up all the gaming and lottery proceeds. That cash cow whould be divided equally between parks and rec, K-12 education, road and bridge and law enforcement.
Don Coleman:
"NEW CASTLE, Colo. -- Garfield County's Re-2 school district will join more than 50 others across the state on a four day school week next year. The decision was handed down at Tuesday night's school board meeting and is part of an effort to cut costs with a $1.7million to $2.2 million shortfall looming.
After a lengthy meeting, the board voted four to one in favor of shortening school weeks.
"To me, it's probably our most positive option," School Board President Chris Pearson said. "It was a tough decision, but probably the easiest to make now that we're considering 'big ticket items.'"
Pearson says this choice is one of the only ones that offsets costs without affecting the staff too much.
The school district's financial department expects the move will save the district around $500,000 next year through fuel reductions, hourly staff reductions, and savings on utilities....:" (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Never in anyone's backyard"
Kateri Hall:
"A March 1 Post Independent headline couldn't escape my eyes: “Oak Meadows residents alarmed about gas drilling.” And on Feb. 28, I read where the proposed asphalt plant owners were not going to be permitted to use their property to operate their plant beside the organic farm.
First, I submit I haven't been here long enough to know details on either topic. I don't know which side I would support on either topic. I do know that I would entertain both ideas with a business-friendly approach.
That's what I'm pushing. Entertain the ideas. Spend some of that “no” energy on a solution on how and where to make business happen.
I look around the Western Slope and I see a gorgeous part of the Rockies. I also see the economy has hit hard times here. In an area where jobs are scarce, I'm struck how many people's first reaction is to say “no.”
How hungry does someone have to be before they are open to discussion? I dare answer my own question and say maybe they're not hungry at all. Maybe the food stamps are flowing just fine in America.
The consensus always seems to be “Yeah, bring American jobs back to America.” Yet when someone ventures out, the same consensus is too eager to flood them with bureaucracy.
What's left for America? Our nation won't flourish where the only incomes allowed are consulting and welfare.
How many items did you purchase last week that were not made in America? How much did that tank of gas cost? If the consumer says “ouch,” they're not receptive to logic...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"A March 1 Post Independent headline couldn't escape my eyes: “Oak Meadows residents alarmed about gas drilling.” And on Feb. 28, I read where the proposed asphalt plant owners were not going to be permitted to use their property to operate their plant beside the organic farm.
First, I submit I haven't been here long enough to know details on either topic. I don't know which side I would support on either topic. I do know that I would entertain both ideas with a business-friendly approach.
That's what I'm pushing. Entertain the ideas. Spend some of that “no” energy on a solution on how and where to make business happen.
I look around the Western Slope and I see a gorgeous part of the Rockies. I also see the economy has hit hard times here. In an area where jobs are scarce, I'm struck how many people's first reaction is to say “no.”
How hungry does someone have to be before they are open to discussion? I dare answer my own question and say maybe they're not hungry at all. Maybe the food stamps are flowing just fine in America.
The consensus always seems to be “Yeah, bring American jobs back to America.” Yet when someone ventures out, the same consensus is too eager to flood them with bureaucracy.
What's left for America? Our nation won't flourish where the only incomes allowed are consulting and welfare.
How many items did you purchase last week that were not made in America? How much did that tank of gas cost? If the consumer says “ouch,” they're not receptive to logic...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Pitkin County self-sufficiency standards presented to BOCC"
In easier to grasp terms, that works out to at least $13.00 per hour. Low and mid-tier Skico employees make less per hour than that. In fact, low tier make under $11.00 per hour. In fact, one has to be in a management position at Aspen Ski Corp. to make that bare minimum. And that bare minimum? Is for a single person. If you are single with one child you need to be making between $28 and $29 per hour.
Remember now, Aspen's largest employer is seasonal. So double or triple what you need to earn in order to get that made in 6 months or less.
Remember now, your 'perks' like health insurance, free ski pass and bus pass lower your expenses which translates out to a great point that Tracey Stewart makes in this article. 'You make too much' to qualify for most all subsidies to help out. Now there is a very interesting thought considering Aspen's blue blood runs liberal. Good 'ol fashioned capitalism is sounding better by the day, isn't it?
Still think Lee Mulcahy's voice should have been quashed by $Big Money$? Or that he should still be enduring the wrath of $Big Money$ for exposing them?
Before personally judging Mulcahy and supporters, please read up on all of the facts and get familiar with all of the story.
While you're at it, please read the entire article by Dorothy Atkins today. Up on the Aspen Daily News.
Dorothy Atkins:
"In order to be self sufficient and live in Pitkin County, an individual needs to make at least $27,000 a year, according to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP), while a single parent with three young children needs to make $103,607 annually to get by on their own.
The nonprofit agency presented the statistics and others related to self-sufficiency standards to the Board of County Commissioners in a work session on Tuesday.
The study is an income measurement tool that determines how much money families of various sizes and compositions living in specific geographic locations need to earn in order to make ends meet without public or private assistance. The nonprofit produces the study every three years.
A singe parent with one child needs to earn at least $59,400 a year to be self sufficient in Pitkin County, while a two-parent, two-child household needs to make over $87,500 a year here, according to the study.
Those statistics include federal tax credits that families would theoretically receive like the child care credit and the earned income tax credit.
The study also addresses the increase in costs of basic needs since 2004. Of the six categories, all costs have gone up in Pitkin County except transportation. The costs of housing, child care, food, health care and taxes have all increased. The cost of health care showed the largest jump, increasing by 121 percent, which is consistent with the rest of the state, said Tracey Stewart, self-sufficiency project coordinator with CCLP.
Of a sampling of various common working and middle class lines of work, only two occupations in Pitkin County pay enough for a single parent with one preschooler and one school-age child to be self sufficient, according to the study. Those are registered nurses and operations managers, the latter of which theoretically includes people in management positions at Aspen Skiing Co., Stewart said.
Commissioner Rob Ittner questioned Stewart on whether or not the study took into account benefits that residents receive — like affordable housing and food stamps — which can do a lot to offset the high cost of living in Pitkin County.
Stewart countered that there is often a gap between the amount of money individuals would have to earn on the lower end to qualify for receiving benefits from the government and the amount one would have to make to be self-sufficient...." (Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Remember now, Aspen's largest employer is seasonal. So double or triple what you need to earn in order to get that made in 6 months or less.
Remember now, your 'perks' like health insurance, free ski pass and bus pass lower your expenses which translates out to a great point that Tracey Stewart makes in this article. 'You make too much' to qualify for most all subsidies to help out. Now there is a very interesting thought considering Aspen's blue blood runs liberal. Good 'ol fashioned capitalism is sounding better by the day, isn't it?
Still think Lee Mulcahy's voice should have been quashed by $Big Money$? Or that he should still be enduring the wrath of $Big Money$ for exposing them?
Before personally judging Mulcahy and supporters, please read up on all of the facts and get familiar with all of the story.
While you're at it, please read the entire article by Dorothy Atkins today. Up on the Aspen Daily News.
Dorothy Atkins:
"In order to be self sufficient and live in Pitkin County, an individual needs to make at least $27,000 a year, according to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP), while a single parent with three young children needs to make $103,607 annually to get by on their own.
The nonprofit agency presented the statistics and others related to self-sufficiency standards to the Board of County Commissioners in a work session on Tuesday.
The study is an income measurement tool that determines how much money families of various sizes and compositions living in specific geographic locations need to earn in order to make ends meet without public or private assistance. The nonprofit produces the study every three years.
A singe parent with one child needs to earn at least $59,400 a year to be self sufficient in Pitkin County, while a two-parent, two-child household needs to make over $87,500 a year here, according to the study.
Those statistics include federal tax credits that families would theoretically receive like the child care credit and the earned income tax credit.
The study also addresses the increase in costs of basic needs since 2004. Of the six categories, all costs have gone up in Pitkin County except transportation. The costs of housing, child care, food, health care and taxes have all increased. The cost of health care showed the largest jump, increasing by 121 percent, which is consistent with the rest of the state, said Tracey Stewart, self-sufficiency project coordinator with CCLP.
Of a sampling of various common working and middle class lines of work, only two occupations in Pitkin County pay enough for a single parent with one preschooler and one school-age child to be self sufficient, according to the study. Those are registered nurses and operations managers, the latter of which theoretically includes people in management positions at Aspen Skiing Co., Stewart said.
Commissioner Rob Ittner questioned Stewart on whether or not the study took into account benefits that residents receive — like affordable housing and food stamps — which can do a lot to offset the high cost of living in Pitkin County.
Stewart countered that there is often a gap between the amount of money individuals would have to earn on the lower end to qualify for receiving benefits from the government and the amount one would have to make to be self-sufficient...." (Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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