Updates: See related stories and public commentary here, here and here)
Steve Skinner:
"I was just looking over a list of Pitkin County nonprofits and it struck me. In many ways these groups, hundreds of them, account for a significant, if not the biggest, part of our valley economy. For me personally, I have found meaningful work in community radio at KDNK. This was a real relief because the commercial sector was outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoning creativity.
That kind of thing is what spurs nonprofits to rise and grow in the first place. People are eventually repulsed by outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoned creativity. Better yet, despite all the distractions, people want more than just stuff, and that’s where the nonprofits often come in. From human health services to Pica protection, thankfully, there is someone on it.
Nonprofits mostly do their special work in the background: protecting kids from abuse, suicide prevention, hospice, solar energy training, after-school programs, veteran’s programs, disabled services, pet shelters, clay, art, justice, environmental protection, writing, music, poetry, theater, volunteer groups, senior support, language assistance and on and on...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label WE-Cycle nonprofit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WE-Cycle nonprofit. Show all posts
December 13, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letter to the Editor "Make Aspen more bicycle friendly"
Hear! Hear!
The boondoggle that is the "We-Cycle" and Mirte Mallory and Philip Jeffreys is so unpopular with residents and commuting locals who work in Aspen every day (not to mention the taxpayers who're forced to pay for it) there is no way this is going to be a business that thrives.
And then there's that pesky uncomfortable truth of the bikes costing $6,000 each.
just sayin.
"While We-Cycle might appear to be just the thing, the numbers just don't work, and I can't imagine that the program is financially sound, given the assumptions. Poll a bike shop or two. Use a spreadsheet or the back of an envelope. The goals are laudable, and it's great to take advantage of federal funds. But when I work the numbers, I'm convinced the program will never break even.
Around here, suitable town bikes are nearly free! My current townie bike (with dead front shock and XT shifters) cost me a 12-pack! Isn't that about $6,488 less expensive per bike than the startup costs for We-Cycle?
I suggest we dedicate a couple of parking spots in the Rio Grande garage to bike parking and charge users a monthly fee to lock up a bike there. We can grow the service in response to demand. Fewer cars in town is a laudable goal, but there are many ways to achieve it.
Mike Tullar and others have suggested acquiring cheap bikes and painting them the same color for around-town rides. This solution would at least avoid the boondoggle of We-Cycle. But someone would still have to maintain those bikes. We should make it easy for those so inclined to have their own bikes in town. Why not make more bikes in town easy and scalable rather than hard, expensive and “failable”?
(Sam Cox/Basalt)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
The boondoggle that is the "We-Cycle" and Mirte Mallory and Philip Jeffreys is so unpopular with residents and commuting locals who work in Aspen every day (not to mention the taxpayers who're forced to pay for it) there is no way this is going to be a business that thrives.
And then there's that pesky uncomfortable truth of the bikes costing $6,000 each.
just sayin.
"While We-Cycle might appear to be just the thing, the numbers just don't work, and I can't imagine that the program is financially sound, given the assumptions. Poll a bike shop or two. Use a spreadsheet or the back of an envelope. The goals are laudable, and it's great to take advantage of federal funds. But when I work the numbers, I'm convinced the program will never break even.
Around here, suitable town bikes are nearly free! My current townie bike (with dead front shock and XT shifters) cost me a 12-pack! Isn't that about $6,488 less expensive per bike than the startup costs for We-Cycle?
I suggest we dedicate a couple of parking spots in the Rio Grande garage to bike parking and charge users a monthly fee to lock up a bike there. We can grow the service in response to demand. Fewer cars in town is a laudable goal, but there are many ways to achieve it.
Mike Tullar and others have suggested acquiring cheap bikes and painting them the same color for around-town rides. This solution would at least avoid the boondoggle of We-Cycle. But someone would still have to maintain those bikes. We should make it easy for those so inclined to have their own bikes in town. Why not make more bikes in town easy and scalable rather than hard, expensive and “failable”?
(Sam Cox/Basalt)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
December 8, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Elected officials need a calculator"
Yes, Elizabeth. They most certainly do.
This topic of completely footing the bill for We-Cycle program founders Mirte Mallory and Philip Jeffreys to launch a private small business is one that has been hot among commentators for months.
Set aside the idiocy of the dollar amount they're asking for and the projections on selling a product that is unlikely to sell at even half of projections; do not forget that this subsidy was verbally granted by commissioners and council at a time and over the needs of Aspen's low-income childcare program.
Yes, thank goodness for Pitkin County Commissioner Robb Ittner. That brave Republican that took the leap into the Blue Sea at mid-terms.
He has a calculator and a clue.
(Read Elizabeth's letter? Click title. Comment to discuss)
This topic of completely footing the bill for We-Cycle program founders Mirte Mallory and Philip Jeffreys to launch a private small business is one that has been hot among commentators for months.
Set aside the idiocy of the dollar amount they're asking for and the projections on selling a product that is unlikely to sell at even half of projections; do not forget that this subsidy was verbally granted by commissioners and council at a time and over the needs of Aspen's low-income childcare program.
Yes, thank goodness for Pitkin County Commissioner Robb Ittner. That brave Republican that took the leap into the Blue Sea at mid-terms.
He has a calculator and a clue.
(Read Elizabeth's letter? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
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