April 19, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Picture of the Day: Democrats (Not) At Work"





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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Trooper found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, three other charges"

Do law enforcement officers and agents have any idea what civilians think that mysterious 'blue line' is?  

Probably not.  As that code is something  between officers.

I am not going to give my interpretation of that mysterious and very, very powerful force as it relates to the relationship between Lawyer and Firko other than to say it has been obvious from the beginning of this one that there was more to be told.  I cannot but wonder why, again, prosecutors did not dig deeper before lives were irretrievably shattered. 

What I am going to do in this post is reach out to Trooper Lawyer's wife. 

Who has never once lost the look on her face and in her demeanor of a woman watching a loved one literally fighting for life and death. 

Ivan Lawyer's very photo lets off the instinctual impression that here is a solid officer. 

One that if you drew by the sheer luck of the draw, his first responder presence in life and death for you, you would feel reassured you got the right one.  And yes, I have done some background research on his career to make sure my instinct stayed feeling right. 

Cops do not realize that for civilians, we get the luck of the draw.  It isn't about crime.  It's about the human reactions, the emotional pitch of crisis on all sides that we build our own opinion and experience with. Whatever side, our lives go into an officer's hands the minute he steps up.  A dynamic that 'blue line' might need to be reviewing on a continual basis just so that officer's reality checks for themselves stay intact.

 Trooper Lawyer's wife has spent quite a few years sending him to work every day knowing he might not make it home.  For her obvious devotion during this time of his life, 'SandBox Nanny's' heart  sends out a special congratulations that he's back home now.

For the family of Jason Kemp, there is one more trial.  Let's wait for that one and see what the jury's instincts are regarding Trooper Kirk Firko.   

Comment ability stays blocked on Trooper Lawyer's articles.  We do not do 'lynchin's' on our hub.  We comment spin on the news others make. I have received a few complaints on no access on this one and my response stays the same.  You are certainly free to move over to hubs that allow that kind of trolling.  Thanks for stopping by. 

(See related story here)

Paul Shockley:
"Jurors in the trial of trooper Ivan “Gene” Lawyer have declared him not guilty of four of the charges against him and were unable to come to a clear decision on two others this afternoon. He was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, first degree criminal trespass, prohibited use of a weapon and criminal mischief in the death...."  (Read more?  Click title.  Comment ability is blocked.)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Mayor Ireland to take city-funded trip to Californian bike race"

Curtis Wackerle:
"Aspen Mayor Mick Ireland plans to take a taxpayer-funded trip to California next month to check out that state’s signature professional cycling race.

Ireland said it’s important for him to see the Tour of California in person, to gather ideas that might help Aspen when it hosts a stage finish and start for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in August.

Ireland plans to be in the Bay Area May 13-15, when the Tour of California hits Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and San Jose. He has yet to book his trip, but in two public meetings has noted his intention to be reimbursed by the city for travel costs. He said he expects his invoice to be limited to airfare and perhaps one night in a hotel, and that he plans to book a ticket out of Aspen, Eagle or Grand Junction for around $400 or $500 round trip. Most accommodations and transportation can be handled by friends in California, he said.

While city officials from the police and special events departments went on a similar fact-finding trip last spring, Ireland noted that he wasn’t there and that “maybe I can learn something” he didn’t know before.

“I’m curious to see how they pay for all of this,” Ireland said, referring to the logistical costs local communities bear to put on the event. He said he wants to see what kind of sponsorship arrangements local towns have....." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "The Grand Avenue Bridge: CDOT vs. Glenwood Springs"

It's a shame that Hal Sundin, is once again right on time.

Hal Sundin:
"I came away from the Colorado Department of Transportation's April 4 Grand Avenue Bridge public open house with the distinct impression that CDOT is concerned only with what CDOT wants, and couldn't care less about what happens to Glenwood Springs.

And what is really troubling is that most of our City Council seems to be of pretty much the same mind.

First, a little history: The present bridge was built in 1952-53 with two traffic lanes and sidewalks on both sides. To accommodate increasing traffic, in the late 1960s the sidewalks were removed and it was converted to four lanes....." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Couple options of concern to some Glenwood Springs City Council members"

John Stroud:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — A range of options for a new Grand Avenue Bridge that would involve two bridges and move some Highway 82 traffic a block either side of Grand through the downtown, are cause for concern to some Glenwood City Council members.

“Speaking for myself, I think it would be a mistake to put state highway traffic on either Cooper or Colorado avenues,” Councilman Ted Edmonds said of the various “couplet” alternatives that would use one or both of those side streets.

Edmonds said it would be premature for the city to take a position opposing any of the options currently under review by state transportation officials.

However, it is time for City Council to at least begin the discussion about the potential impacts of some of those options, he said.

Council is scheduled to have that conversation as part of tonight's regular meeting.

“What I would like to accomplish is to give those members of council who maybe haven't had the opportunity or time to study the alternatives to become familiar with what is being considered,” said Edmonds, who asked that the matter be put on the agenda....."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "ACRA board should own U.S. Chamber decision"

(See related stories and comments here and here)


A couple of years ago, 'SandBox Nanny' was quoted a comment that she was told came from an Aspen Daily writer.


Something along the lines of his 'boss would never even think to tell him what to write in his reports'. The impression left was one of high ethics within the publication and its ownership.  Commendable in the environment of 24/7 news.


Aprx. two years ago, a small group of local micro-bloggers said this, as background explanation for their post on their blog, regarding the complete power dominance that our three local newspapers hold in the Valley.  A fact that explains many regional issues and helps one to understand the dynamic of Aspen as the core lifeblood of the Valley:


"Using the influence of long standing power and control, a dying era has resorted once again to manipulation and spin of the internet and media. Glenwood Springs, Colorado is a fairly small town. Two grocery stores, one post office and only one parent newspaper that holds a monopoly on local newspapers.  Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Aspen Times, Citizens Telegram, Summit Daily, Vail DailyGJ Free Press are all owned by Swift Communications, which serves a number of communities in California, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska and South Dakota. Corporate offices located in Carson City, Nevada. We have only one independent and strong local newspaper that has been around for a long, long time that is not held by the monopoly of Swift Communications. The Aspen Daily Newsremains free from "corporate news media" with business offices located in Aspen, Colorado. The differences between the two newspaper companies is easy to see. Logistics level sees the Glenwood Post Independent filled with advertising in it’s print edition and SPAM filled pop ups in it’s online edition.  We also have “up valley” and “down valley” views of our newspapers. Over the years, politics in our corridor  has given strong class distinctions that distinguish between the two.  The Daily is read by “billionaires” and “workers” alike. The “ghetto elite/wannabe elite” surf between the two. A growing number of citizens making a rising and impressive surge into social and political scenes are none of the above and use the Daily as the grounding point and the Post for a quick skim to catch up on buzz.  The Post is the “down valley” for Swift. The Aspen Times is Swift’s “up valley” with both papers rarely in a war with each other over content as their content is the same. The Citizens Telegram, also owned by Swift, is the “real down” valley paper and is located in Rifle. Rebellious when it can to it’s parent and serves the seat of our big oil and gas industryFor those not familiar with the demographics of our town, Glenwood Springs sits in the middle and is considered the gateway to three influential and powerful commodities: big oil and gas to the west, public owned Vail Ski Resort and private held Aspen Ski Company. From the Summit Daily to the Grand Junction Sentinel, our news is followed all over the world.  Politically, the Swift family is mostly blue but does once in awhile pander to the red, depending on which community it’s sitting in.  "With the recession, folks cut back on the Post’s paid subscriptions and deliveries, instead picking it up free at newstands and walking the few blocks to do that. The Post and Times are larger in size and there are more pages. Logistics level with the Aspen Daily, shows less advertising and the folks still pay for subscriptions. It’s also the favorite of the estimated hundreds of blue collar workers who come from “down valley” to “up valley” and most locals throughout. Also holding the earned claim of being the paper absent second and third home owners subscribe to by mail. Politically, it’s hard to tell if the Aspen Daily News is blue or red.  On journalistic levels, locals know if they want to read the full story, they go to the Daily. To get the gossip or juicy spin, they go to the Post or the Times. The Daily is also a free paper as well and can be found not only at news stands but piles delivered to local businesses, such as professional offices where one has to wait to meet an appointment.  A “Good Morning” to another local hitting the newspaper stand at the same time, often holds a little eye contact and partial smile of knowing from each, as they nod politely and then reach for the symbols of what they support and believe in." (smalltown7)


The Aspen Daily News sometimes appears to be this slumbering force.  One that is more than slightly eccentric as the staff and locals use it as a voice box. However, there is a reason the Daily is where locals really do go for the best insight into just the facts.  There is inherent trust that staff and ownership have built up over a long period of time.  Earned trust.


When the Aspen Daily speaks with breaking information or gives the somewhat rare editorial; the folks listen.  Powerful at the right time, the Daily gets the point across.


'SandBox Nanny' agrees that it is inappropriate (at best) for ACRA to close off this meeting next Monday.  


A meeting where we all know perfectly well the 'US Chamber flap' is not the real topic of the day.  Amazing how power abuse can get away with so much more closet activity than everyone else.

Aspen Daily Staff:
"Officially, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s board of directors is not a public body. That may strike transparency advocates as off base, considering that 49 percent of the agency’s budget comes from lodging and sales taxes.

ACRA always seems to walk a fine line, between representing the interests of private businesses, while also maintaining its public role in the marketing and image crafting of Aspen. It’s caught in between these two missions with the question of its membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has staked out positions fighting federal climate change regulation.

The Aspen Skiing Co., the area’s largest — and wholly snow-dependent — local business, wants ACRA to cut ties with the U.S. Chamber, as do others in the community. Many ACRA businesses, as well as the chamber’s executive staff, say the $800-per-year membership has benefits, including networking and training opportunities.

After years of debate, the issue will be decided on Monday at the ACRA board’s daylong “retreat” meeting, but the public — including the owners and employees of hundreds of ACRA member businesses — is not invited. The ACRA board has decided to invoke a provision of its bylaws that allows the public to be excluded from its meetings, even though the regular monthly gatherings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

We urge ACRA to change its position and open the retreat to the public, at least for the U.S. Chamber membership discussion. The board needs to hear from its constituents one last time before making this decision. Either way, the decision will make headlines and draw attention from outside the valley, so the deliberations should be done publicly. As a private nonprofit, ACRA might not be breaking any state open meeting laws but we argue that it’s certainly violating the spirit of them by keeping the public out of Monday’s discussion...."
(Read more? Click title)

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Glenwood Chamber hands out business, Top Brass awards"

Every year in Garfield County and Glenwood Springs, there are basically three very different in energy awards ceremonies and celebrations honoring those who give of themselves in humanitarian or community service ways.


Not too long ago, Melanie Sturm, up on the Aspen Times, very artfully put out a column on Rotary International and local Rotary.  Without any collateral damage to these wonderful folks who give of themselves and actually participate in these types of organizations, Sturm jumped into the highly  controversial problem in society today, of transparency and accountability in the  world of non-profits.  


She is to be commended, it was an excellent piece that nailed the point and did so in Sturm's very own version (we love it!) of 'yellow journalism'.  


A respected columnist who refuses to be a wordsmith, instead just speaking in a skilled and forthright manner to her followers.


Here is a link to Garfield County's recent 2012 Humanitarian Awards celebration.  


An annual event that has true common folks pride, every year,  as it is the focus of the 'off the beaten path' lives of the common man, the little guys, the folks. 


Put on by Garfield County officials, there is a feeling of security and trust that is inherent in the celebration. One that stands alone and finds it unnecessary to be gleaned away from the trustworthy and stellar moral character of the recipients themselves. Simplistically stated, the folks who receive the awards and those who attend with their support for the event, are not the ones frequently called upon to lend credibility to  the events of other's organizations.  


The Garfield County Humanitarian award is an honor held  where cronyism, self-aggrandizing and power are simply not present.  


The GarCo ceremony is a place where the folks feel secure, comfortable.  They are there among inherent credibility and also drawn with the desire to sincerely  honor another of worth.  Rather than throw a social soiree.  


With that said, GarCo Humanitarian Award ceremony is also usually buzz titled as  the best party of the year.  Go figure, who knew? 

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120417/VALLEYNEWS/120419911/1083&parentprofile=1074


With all of the above said, congratulations to the recipients of all local and regional service awards.  You are amazing people, trusted and so appreciated by all.

Heather McGregor:
"The Athena award presentation came at the pinnacle of the Premier Awards Gala hosted Tuesday evening at the Aspen Glen Club by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.

“I love awards. I like to get them, I like to give them, and it makes everybody feel good,” said Marianne Virgili, president and CEO of the chamber.

A new award, the David Delaplane Award for Community Partnership, was given to Stan Jensen, president of Colorado Mountain College. Delaplane, 85, now of Denver, presented the award after being introduced to the audience by Virgili.

“David was a young minister and the chamber director in 1963,” Virgili said. “He was cleaning out his files and found one labeled Education Committee.”

With the thought in mind that “there really ought to be a college here,” he called the committee together. From those meetings at the chamber, plans emerged for Colorado Mountain College.

Nearly 40 years later, CMC is a strong community institution from Glenwood Springs to Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs to Buena Vista. Virgili created the new award to honor Delaplane for his original vision, and to recognize the college's current president for his work in building partnerships all over the college district with businesses, local governments, churches and community organizations.

She cited CMC's partnership in downtown Glenwood Springs with the city government, the Garfield Public Library District and the Downtown Development Authority to build the new library and parking garage at Eighth and Cooper.

“We needed somebody with vision and to have trust in the room. That's what we have with Stan,” Virgili said."..." (Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Feed My Sheep gives a hand up, not a handout"

Amy Hadden Marsh:
"The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless reports that more than 3 million people in the U.S. experience homelessness each year. About half are children. The U.S. also has the highest rate of homeless women among industrialized nations, the most on record since the Great Depression. But it's difficult to pin down exact numbers, Peppers said, because some don't want to be in the system, and this population, by nature, is always moving.


“They're traveling across the country looking for work,” she explained. “Families have kicked them out. They've lost their jobs, their cars, their homes, and they're just trying to find something in this country to work at.”


The shelter served more than 800 homeless from 2009 through 2011, and the numbers are rising. Ages range from 18 to 62.


In 2003, an average of 10 or 11 people used the facility during the day. By 2008, that number tripled. Now, the day program attracts up to 42 people every day, and, Peppers added, this is only a fraction of who's out there...."


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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Insta-groovy!"

Credit:  Bob Berwyn (Click title)