Tony Snow. Christopher Hitchens. Tim Russert.
How can one not miss them?
March 19, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Power Line "Liberal Myopia at the Star Tribune"
John Hinderaker:
"The Minneapolis Star Tribune is one of the nation’s most liberal newspapers. Today it reminded us why it has achieved that dubious distinction. First, the paper headlined: Women slip behind as economy picks up.
Given that pretty much everyone knows that the economic slump of the past four years has hit men particularly hard, that will strike most readers as a weird interpretation of events. The Strib explains:
"For women in the middle class, the economic recovery is turning out to be a reversal of fortune.
Women held onto their jobs so much better than men during the recession that some even called it a “man-cession.”
But now, even as politicians and industry brag of job creation in the millions, job growth for women lags far behind men. Old stereotypes casting men as primary breadwinners and women as employees distracted by child-care responsibilities are reemerging as hiring revs up. Pregnancy discrimination complaints surged in the recession and remain high in recovery.
It all has a frustratingly familiar ring to Sheridan Zuther, who zips among seven part-time jobs as she tries to hold onto her home and the bottom edge of the middle class.
I have always heard … that men are usually the first to get the jobs and that they get higher pay,” she said.
“But it’s frustrating.”
This is beyond bizarre. First, as far as the “mancession” is concerned, if you depend on the Star Tribune for your news, if you blinked you would have missed it. ..." (Read more? Click topic)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Given that pretty much everyone knows that the economic slump of the past four years has hit men particularly hard, that will strike most readers as a weird interpretation of events. The Strib explains:
"For women in the middle class, the economic recovery is turning out to be a reversal of fortune.
Women held onto their jobs so much better than men during the recession that some even called it a “man-cession.”
But now, even as politicians and industry brag of job creation in the millions, job growth for women lags far behind men. Old stereotypes casting men as primary breadwinners and women as employees distracted by child-care responsibilities are reemerging as hiring revs up. Pregnancy discrimination complaints surged in the recession and remain high in recovery.
It all has a frustratingly familiar ring to Sheridan Zuther, who zips among seven part-time jobs as she tries to hold onto her home and the bottom edge of the middle class.
I have always heard … that men are usually the first to get the jobs and that they get higher pay,” she said.
“But it’s frustrating.”
This is beyond bizarre. First, as far as the “mancession” is concerned, if you depend on the Star Tribune for your news, if you blinked you would have missed it. ..." (Read more? Click topic)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Commentary Magazine "Obama’s Triumphal Statist Presidency"
Abe Greenwald:
"In the March/April issue of the Washington Monthly, Paul Glastris offers a long essay in defense of Barack Obama. Titled, “The Incomplete Greatness of Barack Obama,” it is, in its own way, the clearest and most helpful analysis of the Obama presidency that’s been written so far. Glastris’s main contention is that Obama has “gotten more done in three years than any president in decades.” Yet, “the American public still thinks he hasn’t accomplished anything.” He’s right:
Glastris has unwittingly created a glossary of radical statism as a defense of Obama. His own words: “legislative tonnage,” “reform,” “takeover,” “biggest stimulus in history,” “sweeping regulations,” “protection,” “vast expansion,” “Net neutrality,” “greatest increase” in still more “protection,” and “revolutionary reform.” To liberals, this is the poetry of paternalism but to the rest of America it’s a nightmare lexicon...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"In the March/April issue of the Washington Monthly, Paul Glastris offers a long essay in defense of Barack Obama. Titled, “The Incomplete Greatness of Barack Obama,” it is, in its own way, the clearest and most helpful analysis of the Obama presidency that’s been written so far. Glastris’s main contention is that Obama has “gotten more done in three years than any president in decades.” Yet, “the American public still thinks he hasn’t accomplished anything.” He’s right:
Measured in sheer legislative tonnage, what Obama got done in his first two years is stunning. Health care reform. The takeover and turnaround of the auto industry. The biggest economic stimulus in history. Sweeping new regulations of Wall Street. A tough new set of consumer protections on the credit card industry. A vast expansion of national service. Net neutrality. The greatest increase in wilderness protection in fifteen years. A revolutionary reform to student aid. Signing the New START treaty with Russia. The ending of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Glastris has unwittingly created a glossary of radical statism as a defense of Obama. His own words: “legislative tonnage,” “reform,” “takeover,” “biggest stimulus in history,” “sweeping regulations,” “protection,” “vast expansion,” “Net neutrality,” “greatest increase” in still more “protection,” and “revolutionary reform.” To liberals, this is the poetry of paternalism but to the rest of America it’s a nightmare lexicon...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "State earns D+, a barely passing grade, in ethics"
Are you surprised?
Odds are, the common working folks out here are not going to be surprised at all to hear this.
Charles Ashby:
"DENVER — Though Colorado ranked better than many states in how it guards against government corruption, it still received a barely passing grade in the ethics and open-government laws it has enacted, according to a study released today.
The state ranked 33rd in the nation in such laws, but received only a D-plus grade in the State Integrity Investigation, a first-of-its kind computer-database report examining all 50 states’ ethics and open-government laws. It was compiled by the Center for Public Integrity, Public Radio International and Global Integrity.
Though the state ranked high in open-record and campaign finance laws, the report said its laws in openness in insurance, government pensions and ethics were lacking.
Overall, only five states received a B grade, and 19 were awarded Cs. No state got an A.
Colorado was one of 18 that scored Ds, while eight got Fs.
The report was released to mark the end of Sunshine Week, a national initiative designed to highlight the importance of open government and freedom-of-information laws...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Odds are, the common working folks out here are not going to be surprised at all to hear this.
Charles Ashby:
"DENVER — Though Colorado ranked better than many states in how it guards against government corruption, it still received a barely passing grade in the ethics and open-government laws it has enacted, according to a study released today.
The state ranked 33rd in the nation in such laws, but received only a D-plus grade in the State Integrity Investigation, a first-of-its kind computer-database report examining all 50 states’ ethics and open-government laws. It was compiled by the Center for Public Integrity, Public Radio International and Global Integrity.
Though the state ranked high in open-record and campaign finance laws, the report said its laws in openness in insurance, government pensions and ethics were lacking.
Overall, only five states received a B grade, and 19 were awarded Cs. No state got an A.
Colorado was one of 18 that scored Ds, while eight got Fs.
The report was released to mark the end of Sunshine Week, a national initiative designed to highlight the importance of open government and freedom-of-information laws...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Automotive expo in Steamboat to showcase alternative fuel vehicles"
Scott Franz:
"Steamboat Springs — When Dalton Reed pops the hood of his 1989 Ford F-250 on Monday afternoon in the Depot Art Center parking lot, he will show anyone who is interested how hot vegetable oil fuels his engine.
“A lot of people think it’s a magic box with a lot of complexity,” he said about his fuel system that heats the recycled veggie oil to 180 degrees before it enters the engine and becomes a substitute for diesel fuel. “But it’s really not too complex. It’s great because it’s a low-tech solution that burns less oil.”
Reed still must start his truck with diesel fuel and switch back to it before turning it off, and the system requires a lot of care and attention. It isn’t perfect, and he only pulls out the vegetable oil when harsh winter temperatures have passed. But he said the recycled vegetable oil he has collected from local restaurants throughout the years has the power to significantly cut back on the amount of diesel his truck burns on long trips.
Reed’s Ford will be one of eight vehicles featured in the Alternative Fuels and Gas-Saving Technologies Auto Expo today. The event is hosted by Bud Werner Memorial Library, Yampatika and Northern Colorado Clean Cities. Other vehicles on display will include a Chevy Volt electric car, an electric Ford Ranger truck, a hydrogen fuel Hummer, a truck fueled by compressed natural gas, a propane fired Go Alpine taxi, a Steamboat Transit hybrid bus and a biodiesel Volkswagen Beetle...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Steamboat Springs — When Dalton Reed pops the hood of his 1989 Ford F-250 on Monday afternoon in the Depot Art Center parking lot, he will show anyone who is interested how hot vegetable oil fuels his engine.
“A lot of people think it’s a magic box with a lot of complexity,” he said about his fuel system that heats the recycled veggie oil to 180 degrees before it enters the engine and becomes a substitute for diesel fuel. “But it’s really not too complex. It’s great because it’s a low-tech solution that burns less oil.”
Reed still must start his truck with diesel fuel and switch back to it before turning it off, and the system requires a lot of care and attention. It isn’t perfect, and he only pulls out the vegetable oil when harsh winter temperatures have passed. But he said the recycled vegetable oil he has collected from local restaurants throughout the years has the power to significantly cut back on the amount of diesel his truck burns on long trips.
Reed’s Ford will be one of eight vehicles featured in the Alternative Fuels and Gas-Saving Technologies Auto Expo today. The event is hosted by Bud Werner Memorial Library, Yampatika and Northern Colorado Clean Cities. Other vehicles on display will include a Chevy Volt electric car, an electric Ford Ranger truck, a hydrogen fuel Hummer, a truck fueled by compressed natural gas, a propane fired Go Alpine taxi, a Steamboat Transit hybrid bus and a biodiesel Volkswagen Beetle...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Delta County Independent "BLM’s preliminary EA disappoints oil and gas opponents in North Fork "
Ok, everyone. Please do not flood the email contact box with your views of 'Nanny' going off-topic on her related links within this post.
First, because she's the boss and if she wants to go off-topic, she can.
Second, there is a relevant point and reason for the wide spread of links. No, Bill Koch (to our current knowledge) is not going to be out there buying up all these leases at auction. (He probably should though, he does have momentum going and it's a worthwhile for all American energy independence if he does. Besides, the North Fork enviro groups couldn't like him any less than they already do, now could they? Sheesh. And they've probably never even met the guy in person.) There are dozens of links to specific to these leases stories she could have chosen. So, google away on your own to find those.
That point is that it doesn't matter who it is. Doesn't matter how environmentally conscious these drilling companies are. Doesn't mean a thing how much vetting and regulatory guidelines are put on to their drilling activities.
These kinds of enviro 'terrorist' tactics and groups are going to believe what they wish to believe, could care less what the facts really are and have already made up their minds. All they can hope to do is get in front of microphones and cameras. Without a thought or care for who they hurt during their 5 minutes of fame.
A special thank you goes out to the BLM. SandBox is sure you'll handle the sale of these leases in a conscientious manner.
(See related stories here, here, here, here, here and here)
Kathy Browning:
"If the expectation was that following the initial comment period, BLM would remove all or most of the parcels from its oil and gas lease auction in August, it was dashed last Wednesday with the release of the BLM's preliminary Environment Assessment.
The BLM intends to go ahead with the August auction.
Parcels in municipal watersheds or bordering schools and homes appear to be intact. Some parcels have been trimmed and one was removed.
"The only realistic way to stop oil and gas development now is through litigation," said one disappointed North Fork Valley resident. However, both BLM and Citizens for a Healthy Committee are urging the public to send more comments...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
First, because she's the boss and if she wants to go off-topic, she can.
Second, there is a relevant point and reason for the wide spread of links. No, Bill Koch (to our current knowledge) is not going to be out there buying up all these leases at auction. (He probably should though, he does have momentum going and it's a worthwhile for all American energy independence if he does. Besides, the North Fork enviro groups couldn't like him any less than they already do, now could they? Sheesh. And they've probably never even met the guy in person.) There are dozens of links to specific to these leases stories she could have chosen. So, google away on your own to find those.
That point is that it doesn't matter who it is. Doesn't matter how environmentally conscious these drilling companies are. Doesn't mean a thing how much vetting and regulatory guidelines are put on to their drilling activities.
These kinds of enviro 'terrorist' tactics and groups are going to believe what they wish to believe, could care less what the facts really are and have already made up their minds. All they can hope to do is get in front of microphones and cameras. Without a thought or care for who they hurt during their 5 minutes of fame.
A special thank you goes out to the BLM. SandBox is sure you'll handle the sale of these leases in a conscientious manner.
(See related stories here, here, here, here, here and here)
Kathy Browning:
"If the expectation was that following the initial comment period, BLM would remove all or most of the parcels from its oil and gas lease auction in August, it was dashed last Wednesday with the release of the BLM's preliminary Environment Assessment.
The BLM intends to go ahead with the August auction.
Parcels in municipal watersheds or bordering schools and homes appear to be intact. Some parcels have been trimmed and one was removed.
"The only realistic way to stop oil and gas development now is through litigation," said one disappointed North Fork Valley resident. However, both BLM and Citizens for a Healthy Committee are urging the public to send more comments...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily "How the biomass operation would work"
Hip, Hip Hooray!!!!
Congratulations to Eagle Valley Clean Energy LLC!!!
Just in time as the Coloradoan reports that pine beetles are now mating twice yearly.
This biomass plant will be a huge boon to Gypsum.
Derek Franz:
"GYPSUM, Colorado — On Tuesday, Gypsum Town Council approved annexation, zoning and other agreements that prepare the way for a biomass power plant to be built next to the American Gypsum plant north of U.S. Highway 6.
Eagle Valley Clean Energy LLC is the entity behind the plan. It includes some Eagle County residents and Dean Rostrom, who has been the primary spokesperson for the group, which is based in Provo, Utah.
A biomass plant burns biological material to produce electricity. That is most commonly done by heating water with the burning material to produce steam, which turns a turbine that produces electricity, a process referred to as direct combustion. Biomass plants are most prevalent along the Pacific coast, and assuming it is built, Gypsum's will be the first commercial-grade biomass power plant of its kind in Colorado.
In terms of its carbon footprint, Rostrom said a biomass plant is considered carbon neutral because its fuel regrows, as opposed to being mined like coal...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Congratulations to Eagle Valley Clean Energy LLC!!!
Just in time as the Coloradoan reports that pine beetles are now mating twice yearly.
This biomass plant will be a huge boon to Gypsum.
Derek Franz:
"GYPSUM, Colorado — On Tuesday, Gypsum Town Council approved annexation, zoning and other agreements that prepare the way for a biomass power plant to be built next to the American Gypsum plant north of U.S. Highway 6.
Eagle Valley Clean Energy LLC is the entity behind the plan. It includes some Eagle County residents and Dean Rostrom, who has been the primary spokesperson for the group, which is based in Provo, Utah.
A biomass plant burns biological material to produce electricity. That is most commonly done by heating water with the burning material to produce steam, which turns a turbine that produces electricity, a process referred to as direct combustion. Biomass plants are most prevalent along the Pacific coast, and assuming it is built, Gypsum's will be the first commercial-grade biomass power plant of its kind in Colorado.
In terms of its carbon footprint, Rostrom said a biomass plant is considered carbon neutral because its fuel regrows, as opposed to being mined like coal...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "DEA staying silent on investigation costs for cocaine ring"
Another thank you goes out to the DEA and Special Agent Jim Schrant.
Why?
For staying the course.
Carolyn Sackariason:
"...Claiming that it’s still pursuing arrests in Aspen for alleged cocaine dealing, the Drug Enforcement Administration has refused to disclose expenditures related to the investigation that led to the apprehension of six locals last year.
The Aspen Daily News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request last July with the DEA, two months after six area residents were arrested for allegedly being part of a Los Angeles-to-Aspen drug ring that streamlined kilos of cocaine to the upper Roaring Fork Valley.
The July 15 request asked the federal agency to provide all documents and information that tracks taxpayer dollars spent by the DEA concerning the Aspen drug ring investigation from January 2010 to the present day. The request asked for expenses on accommodations, meals, travel and other costs associated with the investigation in Aspen.
Two weeks later, officials with the U.S. Department of Justice informed the Daily News that because of a backlog of requests and that “unusual circumstances” applied to the Daily News’ query, it would take six months to provide the information. The federal agency said the unusual circumstances were that the information would have to be retrieved from DEA field offices or third-party sites.
In a certified letter dated March 5, the DEA through the Department of Justice informed the Daily News that the information is part of “an active ongoing investigation,” and a detailed account of financial information could possibly identify individuals involved in the probe.
The DEA’s FOIA/records management section withheld 66 pages but did provide one page of dollar amounts, including one line with the number $75,043. Officials wouldn’t say what the numbers refer to (see scanned copy opposite).
Jim Schrant, resident agent in charge of the DEA’s Grand Junction office, said he couldn’t provide any clarity to the expenditure amounts.
“These are going to be the numbers that we’re obligated to provide,” Schrant said. Disclosing anything more, due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the information, would compromise the investigation and the techniques employed by the DEA, he said.
Schrant confirmed that the investigation in Aspen is ongoing and the DEA is “looking into additional arrests.” The latest arrest in the investigation was of former Aspen resident Montgomery Chitty, 60, on Feb. 13 in the Florida Keys after a grand jury handed down a separate indictment related to the same year-long investigation into the drug ring...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Why?
For staying the course.
Carolyn Sackariason:
"...Claiming that it’s still pursuing arrests in Aspen for alleged cocaine dealing, the Drug Enforcement Administration has refused to disclose expenditures related to the investigation that led to the apprehension of six locals last year.
The Aspen Daily News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request last July with the DEA, two months after six area residents were arrested for allegedly being part of a Los Angeles-to-Aspen drug ring that streamlined kilos of cocaine to the upper Roaring Fork Valley.
The July 15 request asked the federal agency to provide all documents and information that tracks taxpayer dollars spent by the DEA concerning the Aspen drug ring investigation from January 2010 to the present day. The request asked for expenses on accommodations, meals, travel and other costs associated with the investigation in Aspen.
Two weeks later, officials with the U.S. Department of Justice informed the Daily News that because of a backlog of requests and that “unusual circumstances” applied to the Daily News’ query, it would take six months to provide the information. The federal agency said the unusual circumstances were that the information would have to be retrieved from DEA field offices or third-party sites.
In a certified letter dated March 5, the DEA through the Department of Justice informed the Daily News that the information is part of “an active ongoing investigation,” and a detailed account of financial information could possibly identify individuals involved in the probe.
The DEA’s FOIA/records management section withheld 66 pages but did provide one page of dollar amounts, including one line with the number $75,043. Officials wouldn’t say what the numbers refer to (see scanned copy opposite).
Jim Schrant, resident agent in charge of the DEA’s Grand Junction office, said he couldn’t provide any clarity to the expenditure amounts.
“These are going to be the numbers that we’re obligated to provide,” Schrant said. Disclosing anything more, due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the information, would compromise the investigation and the techniques employed by the DEA, he said.
Schrant confirmed that the investigation in Aspen is ongoing and the DEA is “looking into additional arrests.” The latest arrest in the investigation was of former Aspen resident Montgomery Chitty, 60, on Feb. 13 in the Florida Keys after a grand jury handed down a separate indictment related to the same year-long investigation into the drug ring...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Our rights, their jobs"
Here's to the little guy.
Let Freedom ring.
Donald Theiss, Aspen:
"Editor:
I know we all want some of the same things and I’m sure we all have different ideas about how to achieve what we want, but I do think that we share some things. And that is what I want us to talk about, with the intention of getting clear in our thinking and understanding of what the most important issues are and what we want to do to influence how our government is functioning, in relationship to us, the citizens of this country, and to our inalienable right to live freely, in our expression and in the pursuit of our own happiness. We share these with the expectation that our leaders protect us in our rights as they have sworn to do.
As it says in our Constitution, our government has, as it’s primary function, to protect and defend us, in our inalienable right, to be free and to pursue our happiness.
To me, this is the essence of being a free person and is the mandate of our president, our senators, our representatives, our judges, our military and our law enforcement officers.
When we take this oath of office, we swear to protect and defend our Constitution and the inalienable rights we all share. That is what I want from my president, my senators, my representatives, my judges, my soldiers, and my law enforcement officers.
We have a right to demand this of our representatives and I now bring this grievance to my leaders, asking each of you to uphold your oath of office and to act in accordance with our Constitution.
I add my voice to all of you in asking for our leaders to do the right thing, the inalienable right thing, the Constitutional thing, the lawful thing, and to use your power of office to protect and defend us in our inalienable right to be free and safe and protected in our expression of these rights.
I ask that each of you do your job and fulfill your oath of office...."
(Read the original letter? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Let Freedom ring.
Donald Theiss, Aspen:
"Editor:
I know we all want some of the same things and I’m sure we all have different ideas about how to achieve what we want, but I do think that we share some things. And that is what I want us to talk about, with the intention of getting clear in our thinking and understanding of what the most important issues are and what we want to do to influence how our government is functioning, in relationship to us, the citizens of this country, and to our inalienable right to live freely, in our expression and in the pursuit of our own happiness. We share these with the expectation that our leaders protect us in our rights as they have sworn to do.
As it says in our Constitution, our government has, as it’s primary function, to protect and defend us, in our inalienable right, to be free and to pursue our happiness.
To me, this is the essence of being a free person and is the mandate of our president, our senators, our representatives, our judges, our military and our law enforcement officers.
When we take this oath of office, we swear to protect and defend our Constitution and the inalienable rights we all share. That is what I want from my president, my senators, my representatives, my judges, my soldiers, and my law enforcement officers.
We have a right to demand this of our representatives and I now bring this grievance to my leaders, asking each of you to uphold your oath of office and to act in accordance with our Constitution.
I add my voice to all of you in asking for our leaders to do the right thing, the inalienable right thing, the Constitutional thing, the lawful thing, and to use your power of office to protect and defend us in our inalienable right to be free and safe and protected in our expression of these rights.
I ask that each of you do your job and fulfill your oath of office...."
(Read the original letter? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News/Johnny Boyd "Darkness in the middle of town"
Terrific column out of Johnny today. Up on the Aspen Daily News.
There are so many related stories to Johnny Boyd's point today that should be brought up in our aggregate of news this morning. My goodness, they run the gamut from shady developments and suspect patterns of lending and cronyism between multiple developments to accusations of fraud, unjust enrichment, tort interference and even swoop those big money accusations on over into the local upvalley drug culture war.
Lordy lordy, says, 'SandBox Nanny'. What tangled webs are woven out there.
Here's to the voice of the common man. The little guy. Let Freedom ring.
Let's just toss up some links to public commentary on a few of the key related:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-snowmass-sun-skico-accused.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/02/sandbox-comments-glenwood-springs-post_21.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-aspen-daily-news-pitkin.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/05/sandbox-comments-vail-daily-cordillera.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/12/sandbox-comments-eagle-county-times_12.html
Johnny Boyd:
"The German banks recently filed to lower the value of the property by $94 million. That certainly bodes well for everyone’s real estate prices. The people that have already bought into the Base Village want out badly enough to accuse the original developers of defrauding them. If these folks win this case, no condos will ever sell in the Base Village until this has all been forgotten in about 100 years. Believe me, the Aspen Skiing Co. and Intrawest didn’t build those structures to stand for 100 years.
Base Village was approved in a cloud of negativity with allegations of voter fraud perpetrated by people with interests in seeing their real estate values climb during the real estate bubble, and it is ending up even more negative. The ugliness of the entire project isn’t limited to its cookie-cutter appearance.
On the bright side, the original developers of the Base Village, SkiCo and Intrawest, are being sued for alleged fraud by misrepresenting the size of the individual condominium units. This lawsuit is allowing local billionaire and SkiCo owner, James S. Crown, to fulfill his promise to the community that he would be here for “the long haul.” It’s fortunate that the suffering that the residents of Snowmass have been through can be shared by so many that have been so complicit in making the Base Village what it is. Base Village just keeps on giving — like standing under a tree full of pigeons.
As its construction benchmarks are surpassed and no progress is made on its completion, its approvals disappear. No one in town government can speak of these deadlines and what comes after for fear of reprisal in the form of lawsuits. Planning for the future isn’t allowed if it means that those plans would hurt the value of the property. The truth hurts. But even more interesting is the idea that a developer willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a huge project can’t figure that out for himself.
The writing is on the wall. No banks are loaning money for small but expensive condos. The market is gone. If the German banks that are currently sitting on their hands were smart, they would be talking with the town about the future right now.
The only possible solution, at least in the short-term, is for the real estate in the Base Village to go high-end. Toss out the idea of constructing 1,000-square-foot condos and reprise the idea of 5,000-square-foot super-luxury condominiums. Snowmass, if it ever wants to see the blight removed from the center of town, will have to approve the construction of units that only the uber-rich, Mercedes Benz crowd can afford — the type of people that write checks for their toys, no financing needed...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
There are so many related stories to Johnny Boyd's point today that should be brought up in our aggregate of news this morning. My goodness, they run the gamut from shady developments and suspect patterns of lending and cronyism between multiple developments to accusations of fraud, unjust enrichment, tort interference and even swoop those big money accusations on over into the local upvalley drug culture war.
Lordy lordy, says, 'SandBox Nanny'. What tangled webs are woven out there.
Here's to the voice of the common man. The little guy. Let Freedom ring.
Let's just toss up some links to public commentary on a few of the key related:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-snowmass-sun-skico-accused.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/02/sandbox-comments-glenwood-springs-post_21.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-aspen-daily-news-pitkin.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/05/sandbox-comments-vail-daily-cordillera.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/12/sandbox-comments-eagle-county-times_12.html
Johnny Boyd:
"The German banks recently filed to lower the value of the property by $94 million. That certainly bodes well for everyone’s real estate prices. The people that have already bought into the Base Village want out badly enough to accuse the original developers of defrauding them. If these folks win this case, no condos will ever sell in the Base Village until this has all been forgotten in about 100 years. Believe me, the Aspen Skiing Co. and Intrawest didn’t build those structures to stand for 100 years.
Base Village was approved in a cloud of negativity with allegations of voter fraud perpetrated by people with interests in seeing their real estate values climb during the real estate bubble, and it is ending up even more negative. The ugliness of the entire project isn’t limited to its cookie-cutter appearance.
On the bright side, the original developers of the Base Village, SkiCo and Intrawest, are being sued for alleged fraud by misrepresenting the size of the individual condominium units. This lawsuit is allowing local billionaire and SkiCo owner, James S. Crown, to fulfill his promise to the community that he would be here for “the long haul.” It’s fortunate that the suffering that the residents of Snowmass have been through can be shared by so many that have been so complicit in making the Base Village what it is. Base Village just keeps on giving — like standing under a tree full of pigeons.
As its construction benchmarks are surpassed and no progress is made on its completion, its approvals disappear. No one in town government can speak of these deadlines and what comes after for fear of reprisal in the form of lawsuits. Planning for the future isn’t allowed if it means that those plans would hurt the value of the property. The truth hurts. But even more interesting is the idea that a developer willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a huge project can’t figure that out for himself.
The writing is on the wall. No banks are loaning money for small but expensive condos. The market is gone. If the German banks that are currently sitting on their hands were smart, they would be talking with the town about the future right now.
The only possible solution, at least in the short-term, is for the real estate in the Base Village to go high-end. Toss out the idea of constructing 1,000-square-foot condos and reprise the idea of 5,000-square-foot super-luxury condominiums. Snowmass, if it ever wants to see the blight removed from the center of town, will have to approve the construction of units that only the uber-rich, Mercedes Benz crowd can afford — the type of people that write checks for their toys, no financing needed...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "State program could help city revitalize area"
(See related story here)
Mike Wiggins:
"Like many downtowns, Fruita has the independent, unusual shops you won’t find at the mall.
It features some businesses that are aggressive in marketing themselves individually and upgrading their facilities.
It hosts festivals and events that draw large crowds of locals and tourists.
What the two-block district dominated by older buildings and the streets immediately surrounding it lacks, however, is a group that collectively represents and promotes its interests, that has the resources to pursue broad-based programs and capital improvements.
That’s a primary reason why the city has applied to — and is expected to be accepted into — a state program that helps communities identify comprehensive and incremental ways they can revitalize their historic commercial districts..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Mike Wiggins:
"Like many downtowns, Fruita has the independent, unusual shops you won’t find at the mall.
It features some businesses that are aggressive in marketing themselves individually and upgrading their facilities.
It hosts festivals and events that draw large crowds of locals and tourists.
What the two-block district dominated by older buildings and the streets immediately surrounding it lacks, however, is a group that collectively represents and promotes its interests, that has the resources to pursue broad-based programs and capital improvements.
That’s a primary reason why the city has applied to — and is expected to be accepted into — a state program that helps communities identify comprehensive and incremental ways they can revitalize their historic commercial districts..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times/Letters to the Editor "Missing the big story"
Torin Yater Wallace is like....well. A local icon. And he's just a kid.
It's one thing for the non-local corporate newspapers (Aspen Times and Glenwood Springs Post Independent) to not know their communities; a fact that is proven weekly by how much they miss with their reporting. The thing is, it is not just this story. Nor the first reader who has complained.
It's another to keep missing these world class major news stories that our talented young people create.
Congratulations to Torin Yater Wallace on this huge win. No surprise there.
It's one thing for the non-local corporate newspapers (Aspen Times and Glenwood Springs Post Independent) to not know their communities; a fact that is proven weekly by how much they miss with their reporting. The thing is, it is not just this story. Nor the first reader who has complained.
It's another to keep missing these world class major news stories that our talented young people create.
Congratulations to Torin Yater Wallace on this huge win. No surprise there.
"Dear Editor:
One of these days your paper will get it right. Aspen's ski phenom, Torin Yater Wallace, wins the European X Games gold medal, and not even a mention in your paper. Helloooo, anyone home?..."
Drita Rosin, Aspen
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."One of these days your paper will get it right. Aspen's ski phenom, Torin Yater Wallace, wins the European X Games gold medal, and not even a mention in your paper. Helloooo, anyone home?..."
Drita Rosin, Aspen
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