There is no doubt in most folks minds that it is long overdue for the City of Glenwood Springs City Council to come down off their high dais and work nicer with Garfield County Commissioners.
There is an obvious uptick to that happening since the folks put Todd Leahy in his seat....(yes, sometimes the best strategy is to leave a race with a much needed seat as uncontested. There was at least one more besides Dirk Myers who would have run if needed)...even if Todd is on the outer fringes of becoming a good 'ol boy's club member. Leahy's doing a great job and is perfect for the seat he's in. Let's all hope he has more terms in front of him.
There has been no doubt for many years... (remember back to the inception of DDA and then Downtown Market and then Downtown Partners and who knows how many private collaborations there are to help the disenfranchised promote downtown 81601)... that downtown merchants and numerous other small businesses in Garfield County... (remember back to the inception of Randi Lowenthal's enterprise and the more recent Rifle Economic Development Corp)...need a number of capital and infrastructure improvements alongside a lot more attention paid.. (thank goodness for the entrance of Leslie Bethel!)...to tourism promotion that hits everybody and not just a select few.
But here's a point that just keeps getting missed by our esteemed leaders.
You have to listen to everybody.
If they won't come to you for whatever reason? (..from the sound of things out here they have very valid concerns..) then it is your job not theirs, to get communication flowing in to you.
John Martin will likely lose his seat this time around. Not because he hasn't done a good job, he has. He will likely lose it due to the last two years of almost unbridled chest thumping from that infamous Garfield County 'good 'ol boys club'. The folks have given (even conservative folks) BOCC a full sweep of political power for two years now. Going deaf was not part of the deal.
There is a balance of sorts on council now, if Dave Sturges keeps on showing signs of remembering who he really is rather than taking the power at face value, there might be even more balance between now and the time 2013 council races hit.
What does all this have to do with alleys in downtown?
Jankovsky would be wise to cease the chest thumping and pushing of a tourism promotion agenda and sit back and listen to his county first. The next two posts today give some insight into the real world of the folks <less> the view from the Lion's den.
John Stroud:
"Glenwood Springs City Councilman Todd Leahy said it makes sense for the city, the DDA and the county to partner on some of the downtown projects.
“One of my main goals when I decided to run for council was to work on the relationship between the city and the county,” said Leahy, who is also city council's liaison to the DDA board.
“The more we can work together to enhance that area the better,” he said.
County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky agreed.
“The face of the downtown is changing, and we have an interest in what goes on there,” Jankovsky said, noting that the county's main government campus is also a major part of downtown Glenwood Springs.
The county is also increasing its stake in downtown. Earlier this week, it signed a $2.5 million contract to purchase a large portion of the 700 block of Colorado Avenue from local attorneys Stephen Worrell and Anthony Durrett. The deal, which is scheduled to close June 1, would include the law office building at the northeast corner of Eighth and Colorado, and a building that now houses an auto glass shop.
Though there are no immediate redevelopment plans, the county eventually may create more public parking and expand its government office facilities on the site....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label County Commissioner races. Show all posts
Showing posts with label County Commissioner races. Show all posts
May 4, 2012
April 27, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Note from 'Nanny' "Some guidelines for political commenting on SandBox"
"I am going to put my thoughts on what I am seeing from commentators on certain political races into this post so that there is a link I can toss up on certain news articles as election season heads into the home stretch.
The concept of SandBoxBlogs was finally launched in 2010 because local print news was censoring content from avatars that was perfectly above board in all ways, with the exception that it was content some powerful folks and the media that serves them did not want heard.
Over the past two years, the exposure of all that previously quashed information being viewable to the public eye has brought lasting, positive change to the area. SandBox is not the only independent blog that allows the news to be heard. There are at least three other very popular watering holes in the area that have large, lively and active hubs.
SandBox, probably due to the wide range of aggregate news we post daily sees the most diverse comments. The only one that comes close is the liberal leaning community of Aspen Post.
With that diversity there are also wide ranging emotions that rise to the surface of your comments.
'SandBox Nanny' is not shy about giving you the boot or tagging a time out when you cross the line.
With that said, the dilemma she often faces is 'what to do' when the comment(s) sound more personal than political, more angry than constructive, yet are honest and on point.
There are a couple of local and state races this season, in addition to the boiling hot lava of all national races for office and policy legislation, that are seeing that instantaneous blast through the stratosphere on both comments and attention that the power of the internet provides.
Those are the races for the 10th, the 9th, the 5th and the 21st Judicial district attorneys. The Garfield County Commissioner races. Pitkin County Commissioner races are heating up. National and state congressional seats in a number of districts as well.
The problem with all of the DA races, most of the commissioner races and a couple of the congressional runs is that it is about personality not platforms.
It is about ideology, philosophy, values, character and how the individuals involved project themselves out into their sworn duty that then affects the lives of the folks in direct ways.
Unfortunately, those are the hot, hot and hotter buttons this time around.
Why?
"What we each personally believe, comes forward from our perceptions throughout our lifetime. What we think we see, becomes what we believe. What we actually see, comes from what we perceive."
The catalyzing of first the blogosphere and micro-blogosphere challenges to mainstream media, then the juggernaut of the 'Tea Party' revolution and the 'Occupy' movement coming in next, have all brought the necessary and positive changes we needed but they also have left behind an aftermath of confusion, disorganization and at times, chaos when it comes to media coverage and resulting communication to the general public. It's both way, way too easy to speak words out there and simultaneously very, very difficult to be understood and your true meaning heard.
It is during such times that we see the man or woman standing next to us or in front of us as a leader by their true nature.
The problem of that clarity then becomes, when that human nature is either flawed in some capacity or has personal intent rather than global intent and/or ill intent; the weaponry in a high-tech world that is literally at everyone's fingertips.
As it goes against my personal values regarding the right to be heard, I cannot and will not, curb too tightly your points and messages that are personal against or for, any elected public figure, hopefully elected candidate or any person who is in a position of public trust or sworn duty.
We can not hope for positive growth and change if we do not confront the real issues at hand.
Politics is not a popularity contest. Nor is placing yourself in a position of public trust a responsibility that you can either turn on and off at will or insert your own personal desires.
Leadership is not always found in who is the boldest, the loudest, the one most seen or the one racking up the most 'points'.
True leadership is never found in unbridled popularity and is most often found in those that are not all that well liked or understood by others.
I personally find it unfortunate at best, that we have a couple of races in the state and the nation where the candidates themselves are forcing their outcomes to be about personality, popularity and self-aggrandizing.
Because there is one thing I know with absolute certainty.
The folks are going to call them out on those points in order to get the conversation back to what the folks need to know in order to vote what is best for their lives, communities and country.
just sayin.
With all of the above said, I am also a little weary on personal levels of listening to the same bloviating personalities trying to outshout, out race and tromp down anything standing in their way.
Please refresh your memories on my 'Rules, Regs and Worth', and know that this election cycle you all (including the subjects in news articles) have a somewhat impatient 'Nanny' who.....rules.
At least she does here on SandBox. " (Comment ability blocked on this post)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
The concept of SandBoxBlogs was finally launched in 2010 because local print news was censoring content from avatars that was perfectly above board in all ways, with the exception that it was content some powerful folks and the media that serves them did not want heard.
Over the past two years, the exposure of all that previously quashed information being viewable to the public eye has brought lasting, positive change to the area. SandBox is not the only independent blog that allows the news to be heard. There are at least three other very popular watering holes in the area that have large, lively and active hubs.
SandBox, probably due to the wide range of aggregate news we post daily sees the most diverse comments. The only one that comes close is the liberal leaning community of Aspen Post.
With that diversity there are also wide ranging emotions that rise to the surface of your comments.
'SandBox Nanny' is not shy about giving you the boot or tagging a time out when you cross the line.
With that said, the dilemma she often faces is 'what to do' when the comment(s) sound more personal than political, more angry than constructive, yet are honest and on point.
There are a couple of local and state races this season, in addition to the boiling hot lava of all national races for office and policy legislation, that are seeing that instantaneous blast through the stratosphere on both comments and attention that the power of the internet provides.
Those are the races for the 10th, the 9th, the 5th and the 21st Judicial district attorneys. The Garfield County Commissioner races. Pitkin County Commissioner races are heating up. National and state congressional seats in a number of districts as well.
The problem with all of the DA races, most of the commissioner races and a couple of the congressional runs is that it is about personality not platforms.
It is about ideology, philosophy, values, character and how the individuals involved project themselves out into their sworn duty that then affects the lives of the folks in direct ways.
Unfortunately, those are the hot, hot and hotter buttons this time around.
Why?
"What we each personally believe, comes forward from our perceptions throughout our lifetime. What we think we see, becomes what we believe. What we actually see, comes from what we perceive."
The catalyzing of first the blogosphere and micro-blogosphere challenges to mainstream media, then the juggernaut of the 'Tea Party' revolution and the 'Occupy' movement coming in next, have all brought the necessary and positive changes we needed but they also have left behind an aftermath of confusion, disorganization and at times, chaos when it comes to media coverage and resulting communication to the general public. It's both way, way too easy to speak words out there and simultaneously very, very difficult to be understood and your true meaning heard.
It is during such times that we see the man or woman standing next to us or in front of us as a leader by their true nature.
The problem of that clarity then becomes, when that human nature is either flawed in some capacity or has personal intent rather than global intent and/or ill intent; the weaponry in a high-tech world that is literally at everyone's fingertips.
As it goes against my personal values regarding the right to be heard, I cannot and will not, curb too tightly your points and messages that are personal against or for, any elected public figure, hopefully elected candidate or any person who is in a position of public trust or sworn duty.
We can not hope for positive growth and change if we do not confront the real issues at hand.
Politics is not a popularity contest. Nor is placing yourself in a position of public trust a responsibility that you can either turn on and off at will or insert your own personal desires.
Leadership is not always found in who is the boldest, the loudest, the one most seen or the one racking up the most 'points'.
True leadership is never found in unbridled popularity and is most often found in those that are not all that well liked or understood by others.
I personally find it unfortunate at best, that we have a couple of races in the state and the nation where the candidates themselves are forcing their outcomes to be about personality, popularity and self-aggrandizing.
Because there is one thing I know with absolute certainty.
The folks are going to call them out on those points in order to get the conversation back to what the folks need to know in order to vote what is best for their lives, communities and country.
just sayin.
With all of the above said, I am also a little weary on personal levels of listening to the same bloviating personalities trying to outshout, out race and tromp down anything standing in their way.
Please refresh your memories on my 'Rules, Regs and Worth', and know that this election cycle you all (including the subjects in news articles) have a somewhat impatient 'Nanny' who.....rules.
At least she does here on SandBox. " (Comment ability blocked on this post)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 4, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Monitoring for natural gas pollutants to expand"
Let's take a walk back to the past since John Stroud isn't going to let any historical data into his piece today.
1. GarCo commissioners have never, ever said they were against air monitoring nor have they ever dropped the ball in any way on performing studies. They stood up to the very poor output of the HIA study because it was filled with holes and they had hired the study for specific scientific data not speculation. At that time, they stepped up their already in place air monitoring controls and sat back to see where it all landed.
2. The recent "scientific" independent study that was ostensibly "leaked" to eco-pen style paparazzi and then "found" its way plastered all over the worldwide web as a result is hysteria. BOCC is accurate on that point.
With that said, SandBox scoffs at the commissioners this morning with their ostensibly placed 'political' rhetoric.
How very convenient it is that whenever there is pressure put on you by the loudest or most powerful social groups in the county; you stand up and go for dotting the 'i's' and crossing the 't's'. Except of course when the power group in front of you happens to be more powerful politically and socially than the loudest.
What will it take? More 'shock-jock' style blogs like this one? More 'bethatesantero' and 'Just Anita' campaigns against gas companies and law enforcement in local chat rooms? More tabloid style eco-pen paparazzi stalking the gas wells?
Hmmmm....or just maybe all it will take...
Is an election.
For the record, 'SandBox Nanny's' personal view on the smoldering issues with Garfield BOCC and Garfield GOP is that they are not political in nature. They're personality and business ethics based. Still nothing that a good epiphany found in the heat of a hot election race won't 'cure'.
John Stroud:
"“One of the goals here is to not use fear, and to have good information instead of reacting to the pressures of politics,” Commission Chairman John Martin said at the work session.
“We need to have facts instead of hysteria,” he said.
The Board of County Commissioners will formally consider the additional expenditure at an upcoming regular meeting.
Currently, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) also contributes about $87,000 annually toward the air quality monitoring in Garfield County.
“I would like to encourage the state to pay for more of this,” Commissioner Mike Samson suggested...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
1. GarCo commissioners have never, ever said they were against air monitoring nor have they ever dropped the ball in any way on performing studies. They stood up to the very poor output of the HIA study because it was filled with holes and they had hired the study for specific scientific data not speculation. At that time, they stepped up their already in place air monitoring controls and sat back to see where it all landed.
2. The recent "scientific" independent study that was ostensibly "leaked" to eco-pen style paparazzi and then "found" its way plastered all over the worldwide web as a result is hysteria. BOCC is accurate on that point.
With that said, SandBox scoffs at the commissioners this morning with their ostensibly placed 'political' rhetoric.
How very convenient it is that whenever there is pressure put on you by the loudest or most powerful social groups in the county; you stand up and go for dotting the 'i's' and crossing the 't's'. Except of course when the power group in front of you happens to be more powerful politically and socially than the loudest.
What will it take? More 'shock-jock' style blogs like this one? More 'bethatesantero' and 'Just Anita' campaigns against gas companies and law enforcement in local chat rooms? More tabloid style eco-pen paparazzi stalking the gas wells?
Hmmmm....or just maybe all it will take...
Is an election.
For the record, 'SandBox Nanny's' personal view on the smoldering issues with Garfield BOCC and Garfield GOP is that they are not political in nature. They're personality and business ethics based. Still nothing that a good epiphany found in the heat of a hot election race won't 'cure'.
John Stroud:
"“One of the goals here is to not use fear, and to have good information instead of reacting to the pressures of politics,” Commission Chairman John Martin said at the work session.
“We need to have facts instead of hysteria,” he said.
The Board of County Commissioners will formally consider the additional expenditure at an upcoming regular meeting.
Currently, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) also contributes about $87,000 annually toward the air quality monitoring in Garfield County.
“I would like to encourage the state to pay for more of this,” Commissioner Mike Samson suggested...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 29, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Battle pitting farm vs. asphalt plant is hurting economy"
(See related story here)
Commissioner Samson had the best approach to solve the problem.
Commissioners Jankovsky and Martin, fresh off recent and scathing public commentary over a couple of local issues make a very poor for the highest interests of everyone involved 'political' call and attempt to soothe activists using fear-mongering and bullying tactics.
As precarious as Martin's seat is and as close as he is being watched by conservatives in GarCo, one would think he would stay focused on the job. This move will surely backfire on him in the political eye he needs.
Thank you goes out to Commissioner Mike Samson for simply resorting to common sense.
Great letter today from Damian Ellsworth of Rifle, Colorado:
"..With all of the knowledge and information that everyone has access to, it is a shame that people would rather rely on fear mongering and terrorism than actual data. All of the slanderous emails that are flying around and erroneous statements in the paper are pitting two much-needed industries against each other, which is doing nothing but hurting this economy on a local level.
Maybe one day, the activists will wake up and realize that all of this nonsense really just wasted everybody's time, including yours and mine.
The staff at the Garfield County Building and Planning department do an excellent job with countless hours of research. Nobody could possibly understand how much they work until they have been through this process themselves....." (Read the rest? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Commissioner Samson had the best approach to solve the problem.
Commissioners Jankovsky and Martin, fresh off recent and scathing public commentary over a couple of local issues make a very poor for the highest interests of everyone involved 'political' call and attempt to soothe activists using fear-mongering and bullying tactics.
As precarious as Martin's seat is and as close as he is being watched by conservatives in GarCo, one would think he would stay focused on the job. This move will surely backfire on him in the political eye he needs.
Thank you goes out to Commissioner Mike Samson for simply resorting to common sense.
Great letter today from Damian Ellsworth of Rifle, Colorado:
"..With all of the knowledge and information that everyone has access to, it is a shame that people would rather rely on fear mongering and terrorism than actual data. All of the slanderous emails that are flying around and erroneous statements in the paper are pitting two much-needed industries against each other, which is doing nothing but hurting this economy on a local level.
Maybe one day, the activists will wake up and realize that all of this nonsense really just wasted everybody's time, including yours and mine.
The staff at the Garfield County Building and Planning department do an excellent job with countless hours of research. Nobody could possibly understand how much they work until they have been through this process themselves....." (Read the rest? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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