April 30, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Riding the age wave"

Randy Wyrick:
"This is the first part of a three-part series on aging in the high country and the opportunities and challenges that come with it.

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — Baby boomers have moved through America's economy and culture like a pig through a python — and now they're retiring.

“Baby boomers have changed everything. They changed elementary school, junior high and high school, and they'll change retirement,” said Elizabeth Garner, Colorado's state demographer. “It will impact us across our society — the labor force, health care, almost everything we touch.”

Colorado is aging, especially in mountain-resort communities. The state will see a more normal age distribution than the mountain communities are accustomed to.

“We're becoming more normal. Our economy is becoming more like the rest of the U.S.,” Garner said.

“It's not good; it's not bad. It's just different,” Garner said. “If we don't plan for it, it could be bad.”

For the near future, the number of people between ages 60 and 70 will increase, at least partially from second-home owners retiring and making this their primary residence, Garner said.

Will they stay?

“Who knows what's really going to happen,” Garner said....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Siblings sentenced for roles in Colorado shootout"

Next in line this afternoon we have the final segment of the 'Dougherty Gang' saga.  From the Associated Press via the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

All three siblings being sentenced today ends Colorado trials and they will now be sent  to Georgia where they will stand trial again for firearms and other charges.

Read the story?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Convicted killer who lived ‘down the street’ eyed in Taylor slaying"

(To read a nice May 1st update from the Sentinel to the Robert Dewey side of the story, click here.)

It has been a somewhat 'heavy' day in the world of Colorado crime news.  Tossing these stories up at the tail end of the day keeps the posting a little lighter tomorrow...maybe.

In this story, we've been following the path of Robert Dewey.  A free man, after 16 years wrongly accused, convicted, sentenced and imprisoned in the death of Jacie Taylor.  The Sentinel has put up the most detail and background on the story.  Good job by  Paul Shockley.  Over on the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.  Click link above.

Arrest warrant issued for Douglas Thames Jr. currently serving life in prison for the rape and murder of  Susan Doll in Fort Collins.  Identified by the DNA that cleared Dewey, Thames will now be placed on trial in Jacie Taylor's murder.

Again, Paul Shockly over on the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel covers the story best. 

(Read the story? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Contentions "Rubio and the Mexican-American Vote"

Alana Goodman:
"...Mexican immigrants aren’t so fortunate. So when Cuban-Americans do what Rubio has done since arriving in the Senate 16 months ago and take a hard line against illegal immigration, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have been known to cringe. After all, that’s easy for them to say. …

What good does it do the ticket for Rubio to be popular with whites and Cuban-Americans? Republicans are likely to get the majority of those votes anyway. His value is all wrapped up in how well he plays with Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. And right now, the answer is “not well.”

Navarrette’s point on the Cuban-American vote is important. While Obama swept the Hispanic vote in 2008, John McCain still won with the conservative Cuban-American community. The Romney campaign’s big electoral argument for choosing Rubio as VP would be that he could deliver Florida, and in that scenario, winning the Cuban-American vote by a landslide is redundant.


Rubio is a strong candidate and there are plenty of other reasons for Romney to consider him....."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: The Hill "Opinion: Condoleezza Rice would be game changer as Romney VP pick"

Juan Williams:
"Washington’s favorite gossip game — speculating about the vice presidential pick — now gets serious.

Following last week’s five-state primary sweep, Mitt Romney has forced even the last hold-out, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, to acknowledge reality: Romney has a lock on the GOP’s 2012 presidential nomination.

The next step for Romney is to introduce himself to America as a general election candidate. It will be tough. He begins with negative favorability ratings — especially compared to President Obama.


The ABC News/Washington Post poll shows 47 percent of Americans holding an unfavorable opinion of Romney with just 35 percent viewing him favorably. Obama has a 21-point advantage with a 56 percent favorability rating....."  (Read more? Click title)


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

SandBoxBlogs: Rasmussen Reports "What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls "

"Despite media fixation on the scream of the week, most Americans remain focused on the essentials, and their views on them are consistent over time, even if the Political Class continues to ignore them.

Take the auto bailouts. They’ve been unpopular since day one, and they’re still unpopular. Admittedly, thanks to the political spin out of Washington, the bailouts are a bit less unpopular because many Americans incorrectly believe the government made money or broke even on them. But when informed of the real price tag, opposition is just as high as ever.

The majority of Americans nationwide still believes General Motors should have gone through the regular bankruptcy process instead of the federal government taking over in exchange for bailout money.

But then President Obama recently suggested that government investment is what has made America great. Voters express a lot more confidence in the free enterprise system. In fact, just 27% agree that government investments made America great. By comparison, 69% think the free enterprise system deserves the credit...."  (See more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Fox News "Top EPA official resigns after 'crucify' comment"

"A top EPA official has resigned after coming under scrutiny for 2010 remarks in which he compared the agency's enforcement strategy to Roman crucifixion.

Al Armendariz, the top environmental official in the oil-rich South and Southwest region, resigned in a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on Sunday, saying he did not want to be a distraction for the agency. The resignation is effective Monday.

"As I have expressed publicly, and to you directly, I regret comments I made several years ago that do not in any way reflect my work as regional administrator. As importantly, they do not represent the work you have overseen as EPA administrator," he wrote. "I take great pride in having built a career based on integrity and hard work. These are the principles that guide me personally as well. While I feel there is much work that remains to be done for the people of this country in the region that I serve, after a  great deal of thought and careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that my continued service will distract you and the agency from its important work."...."(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Coloradoan "Governor approves Larimer deputy's license plate honoring fallen officers"

"A license plate conceived by a Larimer County Sheriff's deputy soon will be seen on the streets after Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill approving it.

The Colorado Law Enforcement Fallen Heroes plate was the idea of deputy Basil Marciniak in response to the death of Weld County Sheriff's deputy Sam Brownlee, who was fatally shot by a suspect in 2010.

"This is an opportunity for citizens to recognize and remember the ultimate sacrifices many law enforcement officers have made and the risks officers face on a daily basis," Larimer Sheriff Justin Smith said in a news release Friday.

The plate, which features three eagles and a seal that says "In memory of the fallen," will be available to people who make a $50 donation to Colorado Concerns of Police Survivors. The COPS organization assists families of law-enforcement officers who've been killed in the line of duty.


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

SandBoxBlogs: KUNC "Warrior Games Kick Off Today in Colorado Springs"

"More than 200 wounded, ill and injured service men and women are gathering in Colorado Springs this week for the Third Annual Warrior Games.

Wounded troops from all five branches of military service will be competing in sports like swimming, cycling, sitting volleyball and archery—seven overall. The idea is to celebrate the abilities of wounded service members through athletic competition...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: KJCT News 8 "Homeless Shelter Ready For Teens To Move In"

Janelle Ericsson:
"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., -- Every year 5,000 homeless teens die on the streets of America, and nearly 200 of them live right here in Mesa County.


"Anybody can end up homeless," volunteer Mary Russell said.


Officially opening on May 2nd, The House will be the only homeless shelter in the state just for teens and it’s located in Grand Junction.


"A lot of the times people hear teen shelter and think of a flop house,” executive director John Mok-Lamme said. “A place where teens can come and just move on, but the whole goal of this shelter is help kids transition to stability."


The House can accommodate 10 teens at a time for a three week period, meeting the annual need for Mesa County's homeless...."  (Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Show appreciation for our public servants"

Rev. Marie Gasau:
"“Pitkin County Commissioner Michael Owsley challenged the county Wednesday to come up with initiatives to assist U.S. military veterans locally,” reported The Aspen Times on Thursday. This is a timely challenge given the rising number of returning or currently serving military personnel who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The number of folks in first-responder professions (such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, nurses, doctors, even social workers and school teachers) who struggle with PTSD also is climbing. In addition to long hours, difficult working circumstances, slashed budgets, suppressed wages and questionable job security, these folks report a real sense of calling to work that would leave most of us in a quivering heap....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: LA Times "After sensational start to John Edwards trial, an uphill push for prosecutors"

Richard Simon:
"Jurors in the federal criminal trial of John Edwards were clearly not given a primer on the intricacies of the campaign finance laws he is accused of violating. Instead, they listened to Andrew Young, the former presidential candidate's once-trusted aide, describe how Edwards called his mistress a "crazy slut," used a secret "Bat phone" to call her, and accepted money from rich friends to pay her expenses.

Although Young's salacious testimony seemed to keep jurors awake, he may not have been as strong a lead witness as the prosecution had hoped. Having laid out the detailed narrative of the tawdry affair in their opening week, prosecutors face a tough road proving that Edwards accepted illegal campaign contributions to conceal his affair to save his 2008 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"I'm not sure that the prosecution accomplished very much … in terms of showing that Edwards had knowledge of the intricacies of the law and that he intended to break it," said Jerry H. Goldfeder, a New York campaign finance lawyer who also teaches election law. "This case is not about sex. It's not about lying.... It's about what [Edwards] knew and what were his intentions.''...."  (Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Airport approves Gulfstream 650"

Here is the story that is one of the things prompting this letter from Cliff Runge to the Editor of the Aspen Daily News:

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120430/NEWS/120429844/1077&ParentProfile=1058

Reality for all sides,  is that God or fast enough evolution is not going to change the physical geography of the Aspen airport.

Reality, is that Vail Resorts dealt a mortal blow, years ago, with the building of the Eagle/Vail airport.  Reality, is that Vail has a bottom line that is sprinting past the Aspen Skico in profits because they have....game on.  And have been bolder for many years now.

"It pays to be bolder."

The Aspen airport, ironically enough, is the gateway to Aspen for many.  The undeniable fact that it is lagging far behind in ease, speed of use, capability to handle and technology that actually works more than it does not; yet is still the highest price air travel in the region, speaks volumes.  Actually shows the reality of a number of areas of Aspen that have declined since Vail.....became bold and aggressive. 

The best thing that could happen to the airport with regards to the economy is to forget, for now, the common man travelers and instead luxury build the private jet sector.  After all, they are the ones that pay the light bill. 

In SandBox' view, both sides of the airport expansion need to start over.

"...This attempt to hide behind an FAA ruling is just one example of the same tactics our airport administration has been using to ram this new airport master plan through the approval process. Are you confused as to why we started another 20-year airport master plan in 2008, just four years after we approved a 20-year master plan in 2004/2005? Are you under the false impression that somehow this new master plan has been “mandated” by the FAA? If you are confused and misled, there is a reason: It is being done on purpose."  (Read more? Click title)
Cliff Runge, Citizens for Responsible Airport Development, Aspen
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Wolf Creek owner has ambitious plans to expand ski area"

Jason Blevins:
"WOLF CREEK PASS — Davey Pitcher leans over the sheer cliff, his ski tips throwing shadows on the snow 50 feet below.

“Yeah, I've hit this,” he said. “But over there, it's a little bigger. That one was better.”

Pitcher, whose family has owned Wolf Creek Ski Area since he was a boy, is following the “bigger is better” theme with an ambitious expansion plan that would double his ski area's size. He has sketched plans for a tram accessing 750 plummeting acres on the backside of Wolf Creek...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Racing bill slow getting out of gate"

Colorado lottery, casinos, track racing, major sporting events.

Just look at all the revenue streams that fall under the potential of a "gaming tax" that could fund not only free up GOCO from the 'trough hogs' throughout the state but that would fund Parks/Rec/Open Space, public eduction, road and bridge, law enforcement and public safety and human services?

Here's another one.  Horse racing in Mesa County.

Charles Ashby:
"DENVER — Rep. Don Coram’s goal is to bring live horse racing to the Western Slope.

If that’s done by the owners of the state’s only existing racetrack on the Front Range or a new one from out of state, the Montrose Republican says he doesn’t care.

The point is to bring jobs and help revitalize the region’s economy, Coram said.

“I’m about job creation. I’m about economic development,” he said.

Coram’s bill to make that happen, however, faces an uncertain future before a skeptical House Finance Committee, which heard testimony on the bill earlier this month but hasn’t voted on it....."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Scientist joins local schools to excavate Craig mammoth remains"

Joe Moylan:
" — Dr. Jan J. Roth, of the Sundance Research Institute, said he’s about to embark on a project that has renewed his passion for archaeology and paleontology: the discovery of what he thinks are the remains of a Columbian mammoth inside Craig city limits.

He announced the discovery during a Craig City Council meeting earlier this month.

“I haven’t been this excited for a long, long time,” Roth told council members. “It’s a very unique opportunity for the city of Craig to have a mammoth site.”

The Columbian mammoth, a slightly larger cousin of the woolly mammoth, roamed from Alaska to South America beginning 1 million years ago, Roth said.

The animals stand more than 14 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 8 to 10 tons, and it’s thought they became extinct about 12,500 years ago.

Roth, 70, first became aware of the discovery in 2009, when friend Bruce Timberg was making improvements to one of his properties in the Old Craig View subdivision near 12th and Pine streets.

“He was digging up the lot where he wanted to install a raised water line and came across some rocks he thought looked unique,” Roth said. “He called me to take a look, and I could tell that what he found were the remains of mammoth tusks.”

During the initial discovery, Roth said several remains were recovered from the site including a lower jawbone, complete with teeth, and numerous tusk pieces...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Beaches"

All Credit:  Bob Berwyn