Melanie Sturm:
"....Though these reforms were modest, the unions and their allies reacted ferociously, like a mama bear defending her cub. They captured national attention with protests, runaway state senators, legal challenges and state senator recall elections. Despite their efforts, they couldn't overcome the will of the people — to keep the reforms.
That's because Walker's reforms are succeeding: The budget has a $150 million surplus, property taxes are lower, the unemployment rate is 6.8 percent (the lowest since 2008 and well below the national average), the private sector created 26,000 jobs in 2011, and savings realized by school districts have preserved jobs and educational programming. Most encouraging, according to a Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce survey in May, 73 percent of employers predicted moderate to good business growth and more than half plan to expand operations within two years — the highest rate in a decade.
No wonder one-third of union members voted for Walker, according to exit polls. Seeing union policies drain government finances, endanger vital government services and undermine their own jobs and benefits, why would union members want to pay their dues? Now that they have the option not to, tens of thousands have opted out. Perhaps this is the best outcome of all, for civil society is healthier when government employees believe they're on the same side as taxpayers.
As C.S. Lewis said, “We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Though it's too late for Edwards, other self-proclaimed “progressives” must Think Again — good policy makes great politics..." (Read more? Click title)
June 8, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Right Scoop "Krauthammer: Clinton’s backtrack on Bush tax cuts is like a ‘word salad’ from a raving psychotic"
Scoop:
"Krauthammer can’t make heads nor tails of Bill Clinton’s backtrack today on repealing the Bush tax cuts:
"Krauthammer can’t make heads nor tails of Bill Clinton’s backtrack today on repealing the Bush tax cuts:
“I think a concise way to summarize that is it depends what ‘is’ is. I mean I write for a living and I’ve edited in my day and I’ve edited some lousy copy but I can’t make heads or tails of this. It’s really uneditable. In fact in psychiatry there’s a term if you get a raving psychotic who comes in the door and makes no sense, you say he’s speaking in ‘word salad’. This is ‘word salad’ with a vinaigrette on top.”...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Garfield County sets deadline for medical marijuana regs"
Nelson Harvey:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS — The Garfield Board of County Commissioners has set itself a June 18 deadline to approve land use regulations for medical marijuana growers in the county.
The commissioners are required to approve zoning rules before July 1, when a two-year countywide moratorium on medical grow facilities expires. The commissioners enacted the moratorium in 2010, and let voters weigh in on three medical marijuana related questions in November of that year.
Voters approved allowing medical marijuana growers in unincorporated areas of the county, but rejected dispensaries and manufacturing of marijuana infused products.
Although Commissioners Tom Jankovsky and John Martin seemed ready to move forward with regulations at their Monday meeting, Commissioner Mike Samson expressed reservations.
Jankovsky said he had seen medical marijuana start to “trickle down” and become available to local young people.
“I share Mr. Jankovsky's concerns about the youth of this county very much, and I have grave concerns,” said Samson.
Commissioners considered several questions about where grow facilities should be permitted to locate, including their proximity to local schools, parks and places of worship. They also discussed whether to allow grow facilities in parts of the county zoned “rural,” and whether grow facilities in Garfield County would be permitted to sell their products through dispensaries in other counties...."
(Read more? Click title)
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS — The Garfield Board of County Commissioners has set itself a June 18 deadline to approve land use regulations for medical marijuana growers in the county.
The commissioners are required to approve zoning rules before July 1, when a two-year countywide moratorium on medical grow facilities expires. The commissioners enacted the moratorium in 2010, and let voters weigh in on three medical marijuana related questions in November of that year.
Voters approved allowing medical marijuana growers in unincorporated areas of the county, but rejected dispensaries and manufacturing of marijuana infused products.
Although Commissioners Tom Jankovsky and John Martin seemed ready to move forward with regulations at their Monday meeting, Commissioner Mike Samson expressed reservations.
Jankovsky said he had seen medical marijuana start to “trickle down” and become available to local young people.
“I share Mr. Jankovsky's concerns about the youth of this county very much, and I have grave concerns,” said Samson.
Commissioners considered several questions about where grow facilities should be permitted to locate, including their proximity to local schools, parks and places of worship. They also discussed whether to allow grow facilities in parts of the county zoned “rural,” and whether grow facilities in Garfield County would be permitted to sell their products through dispensaries in other counties...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Cayman INews: "Feds say traffickers moved meth, money to Colorado in milk cartons and wire transfers to Grand Cayman"
"Two large drug trafficking organizations authorities say were run by a brother and sister were taken down by federal agents and 22 people were indicted by a grand jury for their part in transporting methamphetamine and cash from California to Colorado.
Twenty of the 22 indicted were arrested Wednesday in metro Denver, California, Iowa and Utah without incident.
More than six pounds of methamphetamine and $715,340 in cash and property were found by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation they dubbed “Dark Angel.”
The drugs were being transported in organic milk cartons and in one case, a child travelling from California had cash strapped to his body to avoid detection by law enforcement.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Troyer alleged Armando Mendoza-Haro and his sister, Reyna Mendoza-Haro were running the two organizations using Playboyz Trucking LLC, a San Bernardino, Calif.-based company to move the drugs and cash to Colorado....." (Read more? Click title)
Twenty of the 22 indicted were arrested Wednesday in metro Denver, California, Iowa and Utah without incident.
More than six pounds of methamphetamine and $715,340 in cash and property were found by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an operation they dubbed “Dark Angel.”
The drugs were being transported in organic milk cartons and in one case, a child travelling from California had cash strapped to his body to avoid detection by law enforcement.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Troyer alleged Armando Mendoza-Haro and his sister, Reyna Mendoza-Haro were running the two organizations using Playboyz Trucking LLC, a San Bernardino, Calif.-based company to move the drugs and cash to Colorado....." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Two Women Arrested for 2.6 Pounds of Meth"
Kristina Kuestner:
"MESA COUNTY, Colo.- A routine traffic stop leads Grand Junction Police to two women transporting 2.6 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to authorities, that's $60,000 in street value.
According to the arrest affidavit, at around 8 p.m. Thursday, a Western Colorado Drug Task Force officer pulled over Elizabeth Valdez on Interstate 70, because she was traveling in the passing lane and never returned to the right lane.
After pulling Valdez over, the officer noticed the high mileage in only a couple of years, and told Valdez that a ticket would not be written, but asked to search the vehicle.
It was then that the officer discovered the 2.6 pounds of meth in a white pillow in the back seat of the car.
Elizabeth Valdez and Agnes Ahn, the passenger and owner of the vehicle, both 23, are each facing one count of unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, sale or possession..."
(Read more? Click title)
"MESA COUNTY, Colo.- A routine traffic stop leads Grand Junction Police to two women transporting 2.6 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to authorities, that's $60,000 in street value.
According to the arrest affidavit, at around 8 p.m. Thursday, a Western Colorado Drug Task Force officer pulled over Elizabeth Valdez on Interstate 70, because she was traveling in the passing lane and never returned to the right lane.
After pulling Valdez over, the officer noticed the high mileage in only a couple of years, and told Valdez that a ticket would not be written, but asked to search the vehicle.
It was then that the officer discovered the 2.6 pounds of meth in a white pillow in the back seat of the car.
Elizabeth Valdez and Agnes Ahn, the passenger and owner of the vehicle, both 23, are each facing one count of unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, sale or possession..."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: ICE "20 people arrested"
"20 people arrested as part of a large methamphetamine drug trafficking organization operating in Metro Denver.
DENVER — Twenty people were arrested Wednesday following the two separate federal grand jury indictments charging 22 defendants with crimes related to trafficking methamphetamine and international money laundering. The charges were announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of Colorado, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force's (OCDETF) Strike Force.
All 20 people were arrested May 30 without incident in Metro Denver, California, Utah and Iowa. The two others not arrested are considered fugitives from justice. The first indictment involves 11 defendants and 135 counts. The second indictment involves 11 additional defendants and 22 counts. Most of those arrested appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver Wednesday where they were advised of the charges pending against them.
During the course of the investigation, including fruits from search warrants executed May 30, agents and officers seized more than six pounds of methamphetamine, $715,340 in currency, one firearm and property. Five vehicles were seized, including two 2004 Freightliner tractor trailers, and a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
The arrests are a culmination of a year-and-a-half long OCDETF investigation known as Dark Angel, which targeted the Armando Mendoza-Haro drug trafficking organization (DTO), which has ties to Mexico. The DTO utilized corrupt drivers from a trucking company, using their semi-tractor trailers to move methamphetamine from California to Colorado. The tractor trailers were also used to move money back from Colorado to California. In one instance, the money was hidden in a truck load of milk. The DTO also used other means to send money back to California, including one instance where a minor had cash strapped to his body as he was being driven to California.
]
One unique aspect of this investigation was the money laundering the defendants allegedly engaged in.
The defendants attempted to conceal and disguise the origin of the methamphetamine proceeds. They did this by depositing the methamphetamine proceeds into various bank accounts at financial institutions (called funnel accounts). In an attempt to avoid bank-reporting requirements, the defendants structured the deposits into the accounts by making deposits less than $10,000. Financial institutions are required to file a currency transaction report (CTR) for currency transactions more than $10,000. To further conceal the ownership and source of the methamphetamine proceeds in the funnel accounts, the defendants moved the funds that were deposited into the funnel accounts to other accounts via wire transfers. These wire transfers included transferring funds domestically and internationally. In some instances there were subsequent wire transfers back to the original funnel accounts with cash withdrawals made in California, avoiding the $10,000 reporting requirement.
Commissioned in July 2011, the mission of the Denver OCDETF Strike Force is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute the command and control structure of major international and interstate drug transportation and smuggling organizations operating in and through the Mountain West region of the United States through collaborative criminal and financial investigations. The Denver OCDETF Strike Force is one of only 11 across the country. The Strike Forces are mostly housed in large cities.
The Denver OCDETF Strike Force is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Aurora Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Denver Police Department, Fort Collins Police Services, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and Lakewood Police Department.
Those arrested May 30 include the following:
"The indictments we are announcing today reflect the hard work of Denver OCDETF Strike Force, who targeted a Mexican drug trafficking organization responsible for the transportation of significant quantities of methamphetamine from California to Colorado," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach. "In addition to the drug trafficking aspects of this investigation, it is important to note the success investigators had in detecting and charging the money laundering scheme."
"Methamphetamine-trafficking organizations are deeply rooted in money and greed," said Michael Holt, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Denver. "HSI routinely uses our unique law enforcement authorities in such operations to specifically target the finances that drive these crimes."
"IRS – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is committed to fighting the war on drugs in conjunction with our law enforcement partners," said Sean Sowards, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. "IRS-CI has the financial investigators and expertise to disrupt these organizations and deprive them of their illicit gains."
"Long term collaborative investigations like 'Dark Angel' are invaluable, especially when they achieve this kind of success," said Denver Police Chief Robert White. "Getting 22 drug dealers and their narcotics off the street will make Denver a much safer city."
"This multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional investigation will curtail the illegal drug market in the Western United States," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone. "We will continue the efforts with our federal, state and local partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute these drug smuggling organizations that impact our communities."
If convicted, the defendants face penalties ranging from not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, to not less than five years and up to 20 years, depending on the quantity of drugs they are accused of trafficking. Some face not more than 20 years in federal prison for money laundering and/or other drug trafficking charges. Others face not more than four years for using a communication facility (i.e., a phone) while committing the felony drug offense.
The indictments also include asset forfeiture allegations. If convicted, the defendants shall forfeit their right, title and interest in all property constituting and derived from any proceeds obtained directly and indirectly as a result of their crimes.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Phillips and Kasandra Carleton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tonya Andrews assisted with the asset forfeiture aspect of this case.
The charges contained in the indictments are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
DENVER — Twenty people were arrested Wednesday following the two separate federal grand jury indictments charging 22 defendants with crimes related to trafficking methamphetamine and international money laundering. The charges were announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of Colorado, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force's (OCDETF) Strike Force.
All 20 people were arrested May 30 without incident in Metro Denver, California, Utah and Iowa. The two others not arrested are considered fugitives from justice. The first indictment involves 11 defendants and 135 counts. The second indictment involves 11 additional defendants and 22 counts. Most of those arrested appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver Wednesday where they were advised of the charges pending against them.
During the course of the investigation, including fruits from search warrants executed May 30, agents and officers seized more than six pounds of methamphetamine, $715,340 in currency, one firearm and property. Five vehicles were seized, including two 2004 Freightliner tractor trailers, and a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
The arrests are a culmination of a year-and-a-half long OCDETF investigation known as Dark Angel, which targeted the Armando Mendoza-Haro drug trafficking organization (DTO), which has ties to Mexico. The DTO utilized corrupt drivers from a trucking company, using their semi-tractor trailers to move methamphetamine from California to Colorado. The tractor trailers were also used to move money back from Colorado to California. In one instance, the money was hidden in a truck load of milk. The DTO also used other means to send money back to California, including one instance where a minor had cash strapped to his body as he was being driven to California.
]
One unique aspect of this investigation was the money laundering the defendants allegedly engaged in.
The defendants attempted to conceal and disguise the origin of the methamphetamine proceeds. They did this by depositing the methamphetamine proceeds into various bank accounts at financial institutions (called funnel accounts). In an attempt to avoid bank-reporting requirements, the defendants structured the deposits into the accounts by making deposits less than $10,000. Financial institutions are required to file a currency transaction report (CTR) for currency transactions more than $10,000. To further conceal the ownership and source of the methamphetamine proceeds in the funnel accounts, the defendants moved the funds that were deposited into the funnel accounts to other accounts via wire transfers. These wire transfers included transferring funds domestically and internationally. In some instances there were subsequent wire transfers back to the original funnel accounts with cash withdrawals made in California, avoiding the $10,000 reporting requirement.
Commissioned in July 2011, the mission of the Denver OCDETF Strike Force is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute the command and control structure of major international and interstate drug transportation and smuggling organizations operating in and through the Mountain West region of the United States through collaborative criminal and financial investigations. The Denver OCDETF Strike Force is one of only 11 across the country. The Strike Forces are mostly housed in large cities.
The Denver OCDETF Strike Force is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Aurora Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Denver Police Department, Fort Collins Police Services, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and Lakewood Police Department.
Those arrested May 30 include the following:
- Armando Mendoza-Haro (Northglenn, Colo.)
- Jesus Segovia (Denver, Colo.)
- Miguel Angel Sanchez (San Bernardino, Calif.)
- Daniela Munguia de Ortiz (Pomona, Calif.)
- Yuly Hernandez-Orozco (Edgewater, Colo.)
- Alejandro Morales-Garcia (Marshalltown, Iowa)
- Carlos Martin Segura Chang (Downey, Calif.)
- Sonia Perez (Denver, Colo.)
- Reyna Mendoza-Haro (Corcoran, Calif.)
- Jaime Moreno-Lopez (currently in BOP custody)
- Ricky Henry Cisneros (Denver, Colo.)
- Ivan Gomez-Avila (Denver, Colo.)
- Shana Louise Claybourn (Denver, Colo.)
- Cris Anthony Sandoval (Lakewood, Colo.)
- Todd Joseph Trujillo (Westminster, Colo.)
- Kennie Ray Snyder (currently in state custody)
- Christina Rose Malmgren (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
- Desiree Rose Ceballes (Glendale, Colo.)
- Ricardo Paniagua-Rodriguez (San Ysidro, Calif.)
- Sergio Mendoza-Valdovinos (Utah)
"The indictments we are announcing today reflect the hard work of Denver OCDETF Strike Force, who targeted a Mexican drug trafficking organization responsible for the transportation of significant quantities of methamphetamine from California to Colorado," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Barbra Roach. "In addition to the drug trafficking aspects of this investigation, it is important to note the success investigators had in detecting and charging the money laundering scheme."
"Methamphetamine-trafficking organizations are deeply rooted in money and greed," said Michael Holt, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Denver. "HSI routinely uses our unique law enforcement authorities in such operations to specifically target the finances that drive these crimes."
"IRS – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is committed to fighting the war on drugs in conjunction with our law enforcement partners," said Sean Sowards, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. "IRS-CI has the financial investigators and expertise to disrupt these organizations and deprive them of their illicit gains."
"Long term collaborative investigations like 'Dark Angel' are invaluable, especially when they achieve this kind of success," said Denver Police Chief Robert White. "Getting 22 drug dealers and their narcotics off the street will make Denver a much safer city."
"This multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional investigation will curtail the illegal drug market in the Western United States," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone. "We will continue the efforts with our federal, state and local partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute these drug smuggling organizations that impact our communities."
If convicted, the defendants face penalties ranging from not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, to not less than five years and up to 20 years, depending on the quantity of drugs they are accused of trafficking. Some face not more than 20 years in federal prison for money laundering and/or other drug trafficking charges. Others face not more than four years for using a communication facility (i.e., a phone) while committing the felony drug offense.
The indictments also include asset forfeiture allegations. If convicted, the defendants shall forfeit their right, title and interest in all property constituting and derived from any proceeds obtained directly and indirectly as a result of their crimes.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Phillips and Kasandra Carleton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tonya Andrews assisted with the asset forfeiture aspect of this case.
The charges contained in the indictments are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Port Angeles CBP Assets Assist in Arrest of Murder Suspect"
"Port Angeles, Wash. - On June 3, 2012, CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents, CBP air assets, along with multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies apprehended a suspected murderer after an extensive manhunt near Port Angeles, Washington.
“I commend the actions of all law enforcement agencies involved in the search and arrest which potentially saved additional human lives,” said Blaine Sector Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent John C. Bates. “Border Patrol routinely provides assistance and partners with local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies as requested.”
A Clallam County Sheriff’s spokesperson stated, “Sheriff Benedict greatly appreciates the close working relationship he enjoys with the Border Patrol and the rapid support and back-up provided by the dedicated and professional Border Patrol agents in Clallam County. The apprehension of this armed and dangerous subject was the product of the teamwork and skill of all of the Olympic Peninsula law enforcement agencies, and in particular the quick response we received from the Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection for ground and air assets.”
On June 3, 2012, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Port Angeles Border Patrol Station received a request for assistance from the Clallam County Sheriff's Office for an ongoing manhunt. The Clallam County Sheriff's Office was searching for a subject who had allegedly invaded a home on Blue Mountain Road near Port Angeles and murdered one occupant. CBP Border Patrol agents from the Port Angeles Station and a CBP helicopter from the Bellingham air branch responded.
Border Patrol Agents along with multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies helped establish a containment zone around the last known location of the suspect. The CBP helicopter and Border Patrol agents on the ground spotted an individual matching the murder suspect in a wooded area near Gelor Road. Border Patrol agents subdued and disarmed the subject who had a 9mm pistol and knife in his possession at the time of the arrest. The suspect and weapons were turned over to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Trust me: You believe in media control"
Edward Wilks:
"...There are many more comparative restrictions, but this letter is (justifiably) “controlled” to 350 words.
Consider this historical fact: Wherever there is more gun control and media control, crime, violence and tyranny achieve their worst levels. But where the rights of citizens are protected to have full liberty in the creation, ownership and possession of firearms and press, cruelty, horror and oppression vanish.
Like firearms, freedom of the press is a constitutionally protected right, and regardless of any misinformation or misuse, I shall always defend it. Will the press equally commit to our cause?...."
(Read more? Click title)
"...There are many more comparative restrictions, but this letter is (justifiably) “controlled” to 350 words.
Consider this historical fact: Wherever there is more gun control and media control, crime, violence and tyranny achieve their worst levels. But where the rights of citizens are protected to have full liberty in the creation, ownership and possession of firearms and press, cruelty, horror and oppression vanish.
Like firearms, freedom of the press is a constitutionally protected right, and regardless of any misinformation or misuse, I shall always defend it. Will the press equally commit to our cause?...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Rocky Mountain Surf Festival Saturday and Sunday at Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park"
Jeff Casperson:
"Mother Nature has no master, and Paul Tefft knows it.
In organizing the Whitewater Stand-Up Paddling Championship the past two years, he's been dealt a little bit of everything in the weather department.
Last year, a wet winter and the resulting runoff made for epic conditions at the Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park wave, site of the Super Bowl of river stand-up paddling (SUP).
On the heels of one of the driest winters in recent memory, this year's conditions pale in contrast, giving Tefft and fellow organizers a whole different extreme with which to contend.
“You can't control Mother Nature,” he said. “We just have to make do with what we've been given.”
And that's precisely what Tefft is doing as he and fellow organizers prepare for this weekend's Rocky Mountain Surf Festival, of which the Whitewater SUP Championship is a part...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Mother Nature has no master, and Paul Tefft knows it.
In organizing the Whitewater Stand-Up Paddling Championship the past two years, he's been dealt a little bit of everything in the weather department.
Last year, a wet winter and the resulting runoff made for epic conditions at the Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park wave, site of the Super Bowl of river stand-up paddling (SUP).
On the heels of one of the driest winters in recent memory, this year's conditions pale in contrast, giving Tefft and fellow organizers a whole different extreme with which to contend.
“You can't control Mother Nature,” he said. “We just have to make do with what we've been given.”
And that's precisely what Tefft is doing as he and fellow organizers prepare for this weekend's Rocky Mountain Surf Festival, of which the Whitewater SUP Championship is a part...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Carbondale prepares to party with Ride the Rockies"
Nelson Harvey:
"CARBONDALE, Colorado — By any standard, Carbondale is a bike obsessed town. But its bike mania, on display last month during the annual Bonedale Bike Week, will ramp up a few notches come Monday.
That day, 2,000 riders on the Ride the Rockies bike tour will roll into town, establishing a base camp for the night at Roaring Fork High School before heading downtown for an afternoon and evening of festivities.
Carbondale will host Ride the Rockies for the first time since the Denver Post launched the event in 1986. After starting in Gunnison on Sunday, this year's 442-mile, six-day tour takes riders through Hotchkiss and Carbondale, then over Independence Pass and into Leadville. After that, they'll make stops in Granby and Estes Park before finishing at the Odell's Brewery in Fort Collins on Friday, June 15.
In Carbondale, a committee of bike-loving locals is planning a warm welcome for the riders as they pass through the Roaring Fork Valley.
On Monday, Main Street will be closed off between Third Street and Weant Boulevard, and Fourth Street will be blocked for a half block north and south from Main Street. The Fourth Street Plaza will play host to a food court featuring local vendors, as well as several musical acts on the town stage.
Street buskers, including musicians, jugglers and other local artists, will greet the riders as they filter downtown on Monday afternoon, from their headquarters at Roaring Fork High School..."
(Read more? Click title)
"CARBONDALE, Colorado — By any standard, Carbondale is a bike obsessed town. But its bike mania, on display last month during the annual Bonedale Bike Week, will ramp up a few notches come Monday.
That day, 2,000 riders on the Ride the Rockies bike tour will roll into town, establishing a base camp for the night at Roaring Fork High School before heading downtown for an afternoon and evening of festivities.
Carbondale will host Ride the Rockies for the first time since the Denver Post launched the event in 1986. After starting in Gunnison on Sunday, this year's 442-mile, six-day tour takes riders through Hotchkiss and Carbondale, then over Independence Pass and into Leadville. After that, they'll make stops in Granby and Estes Park before finishing at the Odell's Brewery in Fort Collins on Friday, June 15.
In Carbondale, a committee of bike-loving locals is planning a warm welcome for the riders as they pass through the Roaring Fork Valley.
On Monday, Main Street will be closed off between Third Street and Weant Boulevard, and Fourth Street will be blocked for a half block north and south from Main Street. The Fourth Street Plaza will play host to a food court featuring local vendors, as well as several musical acts on the town stage.
Street buskers, including musicians, jugglers and other local artists, will greet the riders as they filter downtown on Monday afternoon, from their headquarters at Roaring Fork High School..."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "The lodge that got away"
Elizabeth Milias:
"Editor:
The memories of those on City Council are frighteningly short. Either that, or they weren’t paying attention to big local news stories in 2008. That was when 27 members of our community spent hundreds of hours meeting in mediated sessions to hash out a master plan for the Lift 1A area. Remember the COWOP? The neighbors, the developers, Aspen Skiing Co. representatives, then-Councilman Dwayne Romero, community development director Chris Bendon, Mayor Mick Ireland, as well as other interested Aspen residents, participated in the formal city process. Public comment was encouraged, welcomed and appreciated....
.....Landowners have recently proposed building 14 townhomes and 10 subsidized housing units on a section of the site, but council now wants them to build a lodge there. And ironically it’s Mick and Skadron leading the cry! Skadron feels that the proposed townhome/subsidized housing project “is not in the interest of the community.” (Apparently for Skadron, nothing is.) Mayor “hot bed” Ireland wants the developers to now find some “middle ground” so he can finally get some lodge rooms built. It would be funny if it were not true.
As George Santayana famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I remember, and I bet you do to. Here we go again.." (Read more? Click title)
"Editor:
The memories of those on City Council are frighteningly short. Either that, or they weren’t paying attention to big local news stories in 2008. That was when 27 members of our community spent hundreds of hours meeting in mediated sessions to hash out a master plan for the Lift 1A area. Remember the COWOP? The neighbors, the developers, Aspen Skiing Co. representatives, then-Councilman Dwayne Romero, community development director Chris Bendon, Mayor Mick Ireland, as well as other interested Aspen residents, participated in the formal city process. Public comment was encouraged, welcomed and appreciated....
.....Landowners have recently proposed building 14 townhomes and 10 subsidized housing units on a section of the site, but council now wants them to build a lodge there. And ironically it’s Mick and Skadron leading the cry! Skadron feels that the proposed townhome/subsidized housing project “is not in the interest of the community.” (Apparently for Skadron, nothing is.) Mayor “hot bed” Ireland wants the developers to now find some “middle ground” so he can finally get some lodge rooms built. It would be funny if it were not true.
As George Santayana famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I remember, and I bet you do to. Here we go again.." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Ski season breaks Vail sales tax records"
Lauren Glendenning:
"VAIL, Colorado — The 2011-12 ski season may have been one of the worst ever in terms of snowfall, but it's shaping to be the town of Vail's best-ever in terms of sales tax collections.
Sales tax collections were up every month in 2011 over the same month in 2010, and the recent ski season has posted similar gains every month except April.
Sales tax collections January of this year were $2.85 million, up 1.94 percent from January 2011. The trend continues with February collections up 6.59 percent from February 2011 and March collections up 0.91 percent over March 2011. April is down 7.88 percent from the previous year, when Vail Mountain's ski season was a week longer than it was this year. The town expects another $55,000 in April collections, bringing the percentage to 3.3 percent down from 2011.
The 2011-12 ski season is estimated to be up 3.9 percent, or $536,785, from the 2010-11 season, the town's largest sales tax collection in a ski season ever..." (Read original press release? Click title)
"VAIL, Colorado — The 2011-12 ski season may have been one of the worst ever in terms of snowfall, but it's shaping to be the town of Vail's best-ever in terms of sales tax collections.
Sales tax collections were up every month in 2011 over the same month in 2010, and the recent ski season has posted similar gains every month except April.
Sales tax collections January of this year were $2.85 million, up 1.94 percent from January 2011. The trend continues with February collections up 6.59 percent from February 2011 and March collections up 0.91 percent over March 2011. April is down 7.88 percent from the previous year, when Vail Mountain's ski season was a week longer than it was this year. The town expects another $55,000 in April collections, bringing the percentage to 3.3 percent down from 2011.
The 2011-12 ski season is estimated to be up 3.9 percent, or $536,785, from the 2010-11 season, the town's largest sales tax collection in a ski season ever..." (Read original press release? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Rents to jump 13.5 percent at El Jebel trailer park"
Scott Condon:
"EL JEBEL — Rents at one of the largest free-market housing complexes in the Roaring Fork Valley will jump by 13.5 percent in August.
Crawford Properties LLC informed tenants at its El Jebel Mobile Home Park last week that it will raise the trailer-space base rent from $550 to $625 per month. It will affect 289 trailers and roughly 2,100 residents, according to Robert Hubbell, CEO of the Crawford family business.
The increase comes at a time when many residents of the blue-collar neighborhood are already struggling to make ends meet, according to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. Notice of the rent increases was delivered to the tenants of the mobile homes clustered along El Jebel Road and JW Drive on May 30. The tenant said the rent increase has been a hot topic among neighbors ever since.
“People are just frantic,” the tenant said. “They're saying, ‘We're barely making it.'”...."
(Read more? Click title)
"EL JEBEL — Rents at one of the largest free-market housing complexes in the Roaring Fork Valley will jump by 13.5 percent in August.
Crawford Properties LLC informed tenants at its El Jebel Mobile Home Park last week that it will raise the trailer-space base rent from $550 to $625 per month. It will affect 289 trailers and roughly 2,100 residents, according to Robert Hubbell, CEO of the Crawford family business.
The increase comes at a time when many residents of the blue-collar neighborhood are already struggling to make ends meet, according to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. Notice of the rent increases was delivered to the tenants of the mobile homes clustered along El Jebel Road and JW Drive on May 30. The tenant said the rent increase has been a hot topic among neighbors ever since.
“People are just frantic,” the tenant said. “They're saying, ‘We're barely making it.'”...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Hedge-funder Paulson is $49 million Bandar buyer"
Carolyn Sackariason:
"Sale of Hala Ranch one of the most expensive real estate transactions in area’s history
Last week’s purchase of Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan’s Hala Ranch is one of the largest single-residence real estate transactions in Aspen’s history, and combined with other sales on the sprawling property, is by far the most generated by one owner.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that hedge fund manager John A. Paulson, president and founder of Paulson & Co., Inc. was the buyer of Bandar’s Hala Ranch in the Starwood subdivision. The entire 130-acre property is located in a gated community on the slopes of Red Mountain..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Sale of Hala Ranch one of the most expensive real estate transactions in area’s history
Last week’s purchase of Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan’s Hala Ranch is one of the largest single-residence real estate transactions in Aspen’s history, and combined with other sales on the sprawling property, is by far the most generated by one owner.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that hedge fund manager John A. Paulson, president and founder of Paulson & Co., Inc. was the buyer of Bandar’s Hala Ranch in the Starwood subdivision. The entire 130-acre property is located in a gated community on the slopes of Red Mountain..."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "The word is out"
Terrific letter from Ruth Harrison. As always, unafraid to speak truth. Up on the Aspen Daily News.
Ruth Harrison:
"Editor:
It seems that John Maloy might be the only person who did not know that Art Abelman did not resign, nor was it abrupt. Also, that David Schmid had applied for the Aspen High School principal position.
Ruth Harrison:
"Editor:
It seems that John Maloy might be the only person who did not know that Art Abelman did not resign, nor was it abrupt. Also, that David Schmid had applied for the Aspen High School principal position.
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "CMC to reconsider ‘water tower site' for gas compressor"
One has to wonder if anyone has gone to Marianne Ackerman and asked her if it all really was worth it?
Her legendary gossip and resulting back-door campaigns to 'raise a ruckus' are infamous in the valley. Have been for years.
All this money now being spent on lawyers, lawsuits and not on the education needs of our CMC students certainly does not seem 'worth it' at all. After all, that noxious weed filled patch of ground donated by her family and others has been virtually ignored for all these years by those donors children.
Yes, it certainly cannot be denied that the 'CMC Compressor Station Scandal' is all about the money.
In one way or another.
John Colson:
"While plans are made for that discussion, attorneys for CMC and SourceGas are expected to file motions in the SourceGas lawsuit against the school.
The suit is meant to force the college to honor its 2011 contract and allow construction of a natural gas compressor station along a pipeline that runs under the school's 680-acre campus property in Spring Valley.
SourceGas says the compressor is necessary to boost pressure in the line to better serve customers in Eagle County as well as in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The school's CEO, Stan Jensen, signed a lease agreement in August 2011, permitting the project on a five-acre site located over a ridge from the campus.
A subsequent outcry from students, faculty and neighbors of the campus prompted the trustees to reject that lease at a meeting on May 14.
The suit was filed in Garfield District Court on May 23..." (Read more? Click title)
Her legendary gossip and resulting back-door campaigns to 'raise a ruckus' are infamous in the valley. Have been for years.
All this money now being spent on lawyers, lawsuits and not on the education needs of our CMC students certainly does not seem 'worth it' at all. After all, that noxious weed filled patch of ground donated by her family and others has been virtually ignored for all these years by those donors children.
Yes, it certainly cannot be denied that the 'CMC Compressor Station Scandal' is all about the money.
In one way or another.
John Colson:
"While plans are made for that discussion, attorneys for CMC and SourceGas are expected to file motions in the SourceGas lawsuit against the school.
The suit is meant to force the college to honor its 2011 contract and allow construction of a natural gas compressor station along a pipeline that runs under the school's 680-acre campus property in Spring Valley.
SourceGas says the compressor is necessary to boost pressure in the line to better serve customers in Eagle County as well as in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The school's CEO, Stan Jensen, signed a lease agreement in August 2011, permitting the project on a five-acre site located over a ridge from the campus.
A subsequent outcry from students, faculty and neighbors of the campus prompted the trustees to reject that lease at a meeting on May 14.
The suit was filed in Garfield District Court on May 23..." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Commissioners don't see need for water quality testing well in Silt"
Now this...is the way GarCo Commissioner meetings should be reported. Nelson Harvey's done a terrific job of quickly lining out the meeting highlights while at the same time not putting any 'fluff' (or yellow ink..depends on how you look at it) around the hotter topics.
Nice job, PI! Keep it up...over and over and over again...please.
Nelson Harvey:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — The Garfield Board of County Commissioners appears unwilling to fund construction of a water quality testing well on the property of Silt landowner Lisa Bracken, who claims that gas from a seep has contaminated her water supply.
Bracken, who detected the seep near her home on Divide Creek in 2008, asked the commissioners in a public comment period at their Monday meeting to fund a testing well. Her request comes after a consultant retained by the county to investigate the 2008 seep determined it came from natural, not human, causes.
“We have a lot of other experts who are saying that we're monitoring it, and things are OK,” Commissioner John Martin told Bracken. “I know this is dear to you, but my best advice is to visit with the Colorado..." (Read more? Click title)
Nice job, PI! Keep it up...over and over and over again...please.
Nelson Harvey:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — The Garfield Board of County Commissioners appears unwilling to fund construction of a water quality testing well on the property of Silt landowner Lisa Bracken, who claims that gas from a seep has contaminated her water supply.
Bracken, who detected the seep near her home on Divide Creek in 2008, asked the commissioners in a public comment period at their Monday meeting to fund a testing well. Her request comes after a consultant retained by the county to investigate the 2008 seep determined it came from natural, not human, causes.
“We have a lot of other experts who are saying that we're monitoring it, and things are OK,” Commissioner John Martin told Bracken. “I know this is dear to you, but my best advice is to visit with the Colorado..." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "County weighs scenery, safety and ethics in Koch guardrail project"
As Mayor of Aspen and now as a Pitkin Count Commissioner, there have been times over the years that Rachel Richards has made comments on various local issues and left locals scratching their heads in bewildered confusion. Such double speak!
But this one:
Andrew Travers:
"“Do you have an unsafe road because you don’t have a billionaire in the backyard willing to pay for it?” she asked...." (Read more? Click title)
(sighs...rolls eyes....)
Pity poor Bill Koch.
A multi-billionaire (sheesh...will the newspapers ever get it right?? After all, if they're going to slam the guy at least get the facts straight..) who would much rather put his efforts and power behind saving lives on Castle Creek Road than stroking the wounded egos of our Pitkin County Commissioners.
One has to truly wonder where Commissioner Rachel Richards priorities lie.
And whether or not if Koch stepped up and offered to pay for all roads in Pitkin County to have all necessary repairs whether she would change her tune and do her famous "Richards Two-Step" dance. Probably so.
Funny how that works, though. Pitkin County could opt instead to simply change their priorities. Such as the million dollar + purchase of still yet more "recreational use" land that just hit the news over the past few days.
One would think that the lives of Pitkin residents would be a higher priority.
Pity poor Bill Koch.
But this one:
Andrew Travers:
"“Do you have an unsafe road because you don’t have a billionaire in the backyard willing to pay for it?” she asked...." (Read more? Click title)
(sighs...rolls eyes....)
Pity poor Bill Koch.
A multi-billionaire (sheesh...will the newspapers ever get it right?? After all, if they're going to slam the guy at least get the facts straight..) who would much rather put his efforts and power behind saving lives on Castle Creek Road than stroking the wounded egos of our Pitkin County Commissioners.
One has to truly wonder where Commissioner Rachel Richards priorities lie.
And whether or not if Koch stepped up and offered to pay for all roads in Pitkin County to have all necessary repairs whether she would change her tune and do her famous "Richards Two-Step" dance. Probably so.
Funny how that works, though. Pitkin County could opt instead to simply change their priorities. Such as the million dollar + purchase of still yet more "recreational use" land that just hit the news over the past few days.
One would think that the lives of Pitkin residents would be a higher priority.
Pity poor Bill Koch.
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Garfield Greenprint plan seeks to preserve open space"
(See related stories and the flow of public comments by clicking here and here)
Unfortunately, since the Garfield Legacy group made no changes and has instead opted to clone their 'Greenprint' so close to Aspen's values system, while using Routt County's viable system of sales tax carrying the financial burden; there really is no alternative for the majority of Garfield residents but to 'Just say NO'.
We need a self-sustaining open space and lands blueprint not more land grabs.
This plan will never get past Garfield voters. That's a shame because the right open space/conservation/sustainable tourism infrastructure would be well received.
Unfortunately, since the Garfield Legacy group made no changes and has instead opted to clone their 'Greenprint' so close to Aspen's values system, while using Routt County's viable system of sales tax carrying the financial burden; there really is no alternative for the majority of Garfield residents but to 'Just say NO'.
We need a self-sustaining open space and lands blueprint not more land grabs.
This plan will never get past Garfield voters. That's a shame because the right open space/conservation/sustainable tourism infrastructure would be well received.
SandBoxBlogs: RealAspen "Aspen to host NASTAR National Championships"
RealAspen:
"NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world, announced a new partnership today with Aspen/Snowmass to serve as the host resort for the 2013 and 2014 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships. Avid skiers from approximately 45 states, ranging in age from three to 90, will converge on the world-class resort to compete for national titles in various divisions of the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships...." (Read more? Click title)
"NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world, announced a new partnership today with Aspen/Snowmass to serve as the host resort for the 2013 and 2014 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships. Avid skiers from approximately 45 states, ranging in age from three to 90, will converge on the world-class resort to compete for national titles in various divisions of the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Oceans"
Where's 'SandBox Nanny'? lol.
Between having a limited cell signal "somewhere deep in a hidden volcanic lair up in the high mountains of western Colorado" and surgery on her fractured wrist; 'SandBox Nanny' has been MIA.
Thank you so much for your emails and text. Shouldn't be too much longer before a directional antenna takes care of the signal problem and my hand improves and heals daily.
Let's start this very long day of blog posts off with Bob Berwyn. Over, up and down on the Summit County Citizens Voice.
All credit Bob Berwyn (Click title).
Between having a limited cell signal "somewhere deep in a hidden volcanic lair up in the high mountains of western Colorado" and surgery on her fractured wrist; 'SandBox Nanny' has been MIA.
Thank you so much for your emails and text. Shouldn't be too much longer before a directional antenna takes care of the signal problem and my hand improves and heals daily.
Let's start this very long day of blog posts off with Bob Berwyn. Over, up and down on the Summit County Citizens Voice.
All credit Bob Berwyn (Click title).
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