Angela Scott:
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo.-TBD Colorado, a statewide conversation around some of Colorado's largest issues, opened its multi-region public summits on Saturday in Durango, Glenwood Springs and Pueblo.
TBD, also known as "To Be Determined," was the name given to a non-partisan group formed by Governor Hickenlooper to tackle tough political issues.
The five areas discussed during the group's Western Slope visit were education, health, transportation, the budget, and workforce issues.
"Even though the the TBD Colorado board came up with these five issues, the people through the regional meeting said the other issue we really want to talk about is the state constitution. So today we're also talking about the complexity of the state constitution and what needs to change or not change for us to move forward," said Paul Alexander, a member of the Lead Facilitation Team for TBD Colorado...." (Read more? Click title)
June 10, 2012
June 9, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Red State "Top Colorado Democrat Currently Registered to Vote in Both D.C. and Colorado "
Aaron Gardner Diary:
"Though modern physicists are yet to figure out a way for one person to be in two places at the same time, the top spokesman for Colorado Democrats has figured out a way to vote in two places at once. Matt Inzeo, the communications director for the Colorado Democratic Party, holds active voter registrations in both Colorado and Washington, D.C., according to a voter fraud investigation by Media Trackers Colorado......" (Read more? Click title)
"Though modern physicists are yet to figure out a way for one person to be in two places at the same time, the top spokesman for Colorado Democrats has figured out a way to vote in two places at once. Matt Inzeo, the communications director for the Colorado Democratic Party, holds active voter registrations in both Colorado and Washington, D.C., according to a voter fraud investigation by Media Trackers Colorado......" (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Red State "The Overplayed Hand of an Amateur "
Erick Erickson:
"Someone pointed this out to me in email the other day. I believe it was either Neil Stevens or Dan McLaughlin. The point has been made by others as well.
Barack Obama and his campaign have overplayed their hand in one crucial aspect. They spent years getting their friends in the media to believe and sell them as the most experienced campaign team in the world. Look at the 2008 Primary. The Obama campaign would have you believe they beat Paul Begala and James Carville of Team Clinton. They may have beaten Team Hillary Clinton, but they did not beat Begala-Carville. You’d never know that from all the hype.
The reality is actually far different.
In 2000, Barack Obama tried to pick off Rep. Bobby Rush. He went down in flames in that Democratic Primary.
In 2004, Barack Obama beat Jack Ryan, but only did so after Ryan dropped out. Associates close to Obama were able to dribble out the sordid details of Ryan’s divorce and perversions. Alan Keyes stepped in to fully make a joke of the Illinois Republican Party.
2008, Barack Obama ran against John McCain, a man who suspended his campaign right at the height of election season to do something no one seemed to understand who seemed to covet the Republican nomination for vindication much more than he coveted actually winning the White House. The seat Obama had won in 2006 flipped back to Republican hands.
Between his election and now, Barack Obama had the House and Senate, did nothing to improve the economy, caved in to Republican demands, grandstanded at the Olympics meeting only to see Chicago lose out, campaigned for Democrats in Virgina, Massachusetts, New Jersey and elsewhere only to have them lose, and has routinely overplayed his hand in office.
T
hat is, in fact, Barack Obama’s true pattern behind the hype and myth. He overplays his hand and has his spin machine convince the Washingto Press Corps that it was all intentional and his campaign team are geniuses....." (Read more? Click title)
"Someone pointed this out to me in email the other day. I believe it was either Neil Stevens or Dan McLaughlin. The point has been made by others as well.
Barack Obama and his campaign have overplayed their hand in one crucial aspect. They spent years getting their friends in the media to believe and sell them as the most experienced campaign team in the world. Look at the 2008 Primary. The Obama campaign would have you believe they beat Paul Begala and James Carville of Team Clinton. They may have beaten Team Hillary Clinton, but they did not beat Begala-Carville. You’d never know that from all the hype.
The reality is actually far different.
In 2000, Barack Obama tried to pick off Rep. Bobby Rush. He went down in flames in that Democratic Primary.
In 2004, Barack Obama beat Jack Ryan, but only did so after Ryan dropped out. Associates close to Obama were able to dribble out the sordid details of Ryan’s divorce and perversions. Alan Keyes stepped in to fully make a joke of the Illinois Republican Party.
2008, Barack Obama ran against John McCain, a man who suspended his campaign right at the height of election season to do something no one seemed to understand who seemed to covet the Republican nomination for vindication much more than he coveted actually winning the White House. The seat Obama had won in 2006 flipped back to Republican hands.
Between his election and now, Barack Obama had the House and Senate, did nothing to improve the economy, caved in to Republican demands, grandstanded at the Olympics meeting only to see Chicago lose out, campaigned for Democrats in Virgina, Massachusetts, New Jersey and elsewhere only to have them lose, and has routinely overplayed his hand in office.
T
hat is, in fact, Barack Obama’s true pattern behind the hype and myth. He overplays his hand and has his spin machine convince the Washingto Press Corps that it was all intentional and his campaign team are geniuses....." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Newsmax "Allen West: Obama 'Desperate' After Jobs Numbers"
Paul Scicchitano and Kathleen Walter:
"Florida Congressman Allen West believes that Friday’s dismal jobs report will back President Barack Obama into a corner and make him a “desperate person” with the election now five months away.
“When you’re a desperate person — much the same as a cat being cornered – you’re going to come out and really fight even stronger,” predicted West in an exclusive interview with Newsmax shortly after the Labor Department reported that employers had created only 69,000 jobs in May — the fewest in a year — while the unemployment rate ticked up. Together, the news fueled fears that the economy is heading in the wrong direction under Obama's stewardship.
“I think that the president’s policies are failing the American people,” explained West. “We have now hit 40 consecutive months of unemployment in the United States of America at or above 8 percent.”...."
(Read more? Watch the video? Click title)
"Florida Congressman Allen West believes that Friday’s dismal jobs report will back President Barack Obama into a corner and make him a “desperate person” with the election now five months away.
“When you’re a desperate person — much the same as a cat being cornered – you’re going to come out and really fight even stronger,” predicted West in an exclusive interview with Newsmax shortly after the Labor Department reported that employers had created only 69,000 jobs in May — the fewest in a year — while the unemployment rate ticked up. Together, the news fueled fears that the economy is heading in the wrong direction under Obama's stewardship.
“I think that the president’s policies are failing the American people,” explained West. “We have now hit 40 consecutive months of unemployment in the United States of America at or above 8 percent.”...."
(Read more? Watch the video? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "New Law Prohibits Sale and Possession of Bath Salts "
Christy Dimond:
"Yesterday, Governor Hickenlooper signed a bill making it illegal to use, sell and possess cathinones, which are the family of chemicals in bath salts.
"Yesterday, Governor Hickenlooper signed a bill making it illegal to use, sell and possess cathinones, which are the family of chemicals in bath salts.
"Yesterday was a big victory for families, for law enforcement and really the state at large," says Jim Schrant, Resident Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Bath salts have a dangerous, sometimes deadly effect on those who try it.
"Just like that, an overdose, a suicide attempt. This is really like playing with a time bomb," Schrant says.
This time bomb may be particularly hard to catch. It's sold as an assortment of things including stain remover, plant food and crystals. One thing that all forms have in common is who they're marketing to.
"This stuff is being produced in China, Mexico and India for the sole purpose of being sold to young people here in the US," he says.
"I think that that's completely wrong of local businesses to market products that aren't good for you towards kids when they're more liable to buy them," says Grand Junction Resident Christopher Little.
Schrant says the packaging is colorful with words like "excite" and "wow." Under the new law, any businesses caught selling anything with these ingredients will face a hefty penalty.
"In our view it's just like drug trafficking and will be treated legally just like drug trafficking even if it's just a convenient store or head shop," he says.
They're looking to stop the manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of bath salts. But this law doesn't solve the problem when science gets a step ahead of the law.
"They're trying new chemical compounds that aren't illegal to try to replicate the effects of bath salts," Schrant says.
That's why, he says, it needs to be a community effort.
"It needs to be a partnership with the community and law enforcement. We're going to do what we can to keep this out of the kids' hands but we really need awareness and education by the parents, teachers, kids and their friends to realize this is really a problem," Schrant says...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Gas association questions CMC's compressor position"
What and how Marianne Ackerman, associates and others launched as the 'Great CMC Compressor Station Scandal' was outrageous behavior. Below the belt, uncalled for and an embarrassment to us all.
It was disappointing and disheartening to watch our CMC Trustees cave to that kind of display and pressure. Especially to know read in recent articles that they are 'revisiting' what is nothing more than simply a new approach for the same end result. We have far greater needs at CMC to spend limited funds on than attorneys and wasted time.
In the absence of our Garfield County Commissioners doing anything, how very good it is to see an authoritative and highly respected power in WSCOGA stand up and raise their voices. Calling a spade a spade.
David Ludlam, Executive Director West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association:
"The West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association, in a recent letter to the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees, expressed its confusion and frustration over the board's decision to vacate a contractual agreement with SourceGas to add a natural gas compressor station desperately needed to continue delivering home heating fuels to residents and businesses between Rifle and Avon.
The letter, available on our organization's website (www.wscoga.org), highlighted a special ongoing partnership between the energy industry and CMC's funding. According to Garfield County Assessor records, CMC receives up to $13 million annually from the oil and gas industry based on assessment of local oil and gas production. This is in addition to millions of direct philanthropic and curriculum contributions made to CMC by oil and gas companies.
Building and expanding energy infrastructure in America is challenging, in part because public constituencies are resolute in not wanting to be inconvenienced with infrastructure required for energy delivery and a modern standards of living. With this challenge in mind, WSCOGA communicated its frustration to the CMC trustees over their decision to vacate an established contract with SourceGas, which had made a significant financial investment including the full prepayment of the 20-year lease with CMC.
Local businesses and homeowners have the most to lose with this decision. In our view, the real losers are commercial customers, such as the Aspen Skiing Co., as well as upper Roaring Fork Valley homeowners, who will be inconvenienced if natural gas supply is disrupted during the coldest months of the year.
We also find it inconsistent for a public institution such as CMC, which is a major SourceGas customer and consumer of natural gas heating fuel, to be philosophically opposed to hosting commonplace infrastructure required to delivering the very fuel necessary for living year-round in the mountains of the Roaring Fork Valley.
Finally, what is the message the CMC trustees have sent to students about the sanctity of contracts and the importance of the collaborative process by failing to honor its commitments and engage with SourceGas on this matter?...." (Read more? Click title)
To read related stories and listen to the flow of public commentary, click following links:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_9386.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_30.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/04/sandboxblogs-kdnk-garco-commissioners.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/04/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_20.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/05/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_5619.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/05/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_15.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/06/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_82.html
It was disappointing and disheartening to watch our CMC Trustees cave to that kind of display and pressure. Especially to know read in recent articles that they are 'revisiting' what is nothing more than simply a new approach for the same end result. We have far greater needs at CMC to spend limited funds on than attorneys and wasted time.
In the absence of our Garfield County Commissioners doing anything, how very good it is to see an authoritative and highly respected power in WSCOGA stand up and raise their voices. Calling a spade a spade.
David Ludlam, Executive Director West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association:
"The West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association, in a recent letter to the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees, expressed its confusion and frustration over the board's decision to vacate a contractual agreement with SourceGas to add a natural gas compressor station desperately needed to continue delivering home heating fuels to residents and businesses between Rifle and Avon.
The letter, available on our organization's website (www.wscoga.org), highlighted a special ongoing partnership between the energy industry and CMC's funding. According to Garfield County Assessor records, CMC receives up to $13 million annually from the oil and gas industry based on assessment of local oil and gas production. This is in addition to millions of direct philanthropic and curriculum contributions made to CMC by oil and gas companies.
Building and expanding energy infrastructure in America is challenging, in part because public constituencies are resolute in not wanting to be inconvenienced with infrastructure required for energy delivery and a modern standards of living. With this challenge in mind, WSCOGA communicated its frustration to the CMC trustees over their decision to vacate an established contract with SourceGas, which had made a significant financial investment including the full prepayment of the 20-year lease with CMC.
Local businesses and homeowners have the most to lose with this decision. In our view, the real losers are commercial customers, such as the Aspen Skiing Co., as well as upper Roaring Fork Valley homeowners, who will be inconvenienced if natural gas supply is disrupted during the coldest months of the year.
We also find it inconsistent for a public institution such as CMC, which is a major SourceGas customer and consumer of natural gas heating fuel, to be philosophically opposed to hosting commonplace infrastructure required to delivering the very fuel necessary for living year-round in the mountains of the Roaring Fork Valley.
Finally, what is the message the CMC trustees have sent to students about the sanctity of contracts and the importance of the collaborative process by failing to honor its commitments and engage with SourceGas on this matter?...." (Read more? Click title)
To read related stories and listen to the flow of public commentary, click following links:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_9386.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_30.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/04/sandboxblogs-kdnk-garco-commissioners.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/04/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_20.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/05/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_5619.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/05/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_15.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/06/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_82.html
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Garfield Legacy Project hosts open houses on open space proposal"
'mandy' says: "It's not a question whether or not Garfield Legacy listened to public comments. This is about base philosophy. Garfield county is a big chunk of Colorado land that believes in and has majority voters residing in it that hold no truck with land that just sits. We do not need more open space that's 'protected'. We need our lands to work and produce and meet the high standard of common sense preservation and environmentalism. This idea of Noone's had merit if it really was about using tax dollars to purchase and develop environmental tourism draws. Now, it's turned into nothing more than a money/tax grab to pull off 'protected' land grabs. They'll spend a lot of money on advertising, hold open houses and do the usual (if the looks of who is attached to this group is a barometer) back room politics through the back door. Garfield will not listen, attendance will not be what they are thinking. JUST SAY NO. And that's a shame. This is not the way to go about talking to Garco folks. Move completely away from the associations they're tying themselves to and get out in the county one on one."
Aspen Daily News:
"The group, Garfield Legacy Project (GLP), is gauging community support for a new sales tax, which would require a public vote, to support an open space program.
Beginning Monday, GLP is holding four community open houses to inform the public about the Greenprint for Conservation and Economic Opportunity and offer an additional chance for input. The Greenprint began last fall with a survey and community workshops that identified a set of land conservation goals, which were to preserve agriculture and wildlife habitat, protect water quality, enhance trails and recreational opportunities, and create open space buffers between communities.
Mary Noone, co-chair of GLP, said the Greenprint is designed to gauge community priorities for open space: “Ultimately, we hope to see the community create a funded open lands program, but it has to reflect Garfield County’s unique needs and values, so that’s the idea behind the Greenprint — to figure out what the Garfield County community thinks is most important.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
To read related stories and listen to the flow of public commentary click the following links:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/04/sandboxblogs-aspen-daily-news-garfield.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/05/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_16.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/06/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_08.html
Aspen Daily News:
"The group, Garfield Legacy Project (GLP), is gauging community support for a new sales tax, which would require a public vote, to support an open space program.
Beginning Monday, GLP is holding four community open houses to inform the public about the Greenprint for Conservation and Economic Opportunity and offer an additional chance for input. The Greenprint began last fall with a survey and community workshops that identified a set of land conservation goals, which were to preserve agriculture and wildlife habitat, protect water quality, enhance trails and recreational opportunities, and create open space buffers between communities.
Mary Noone, co-chair of GLP, said the Greenprint is designed to gauge community priorities for open space: “Ultimately, we hope to see the community create a funded open lands program, but it has to reflect Garfield County’s unique needs and values, so that’s the idea behind the Greenprint — to figure out what the Garfield County community thinks is most important.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
To read related stories and listen to the flow of public commentary click the following links:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/04/sandboxblogs-aspen-daily-news-garfield.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/05/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_16.html
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/06/sandboxblogs-glenwood-springs-post_08.html
June 8, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Scott Walker — Wisconsin's true progressive"
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)
"....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)
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).
June 3, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Townhall/Bob Beauprez "Consumers Voice "No-Confidence" in Obamanomics"
Bob Beauprez:
"One thing that every single American shares in common is that we are all consumers, and consumers voiced no-confidence in Obamanomics a few days before the Labor Department's jobs report. The Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 64.9 for May, marking the third consecutive monthly decline, and still far below any hint of a return to a healthy economy.
As the following chart courtesy of Investor's Business Daily demonstrates, the American consumer has found little reason for increased optimism since the President arrogantly announced nearly three years ago that he had "rescued our economy from catastrophe" and the recovery had officially begun. By contrast, just six months into the Reagan-era recovery from the 1981-82 recession the Consumer Confidence Index returned to 90 – indicating a "healthy economy"- and climbed even higher thereafter.
The Index hasn't been anywhere close to 90 since December 2007....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
"One thing that every single American shares in common is that we are all consumers, and consumers voiced no-confidence in Obamanomics a few days before the Labor Department's jobs report. The Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 64.9 for May, marking the third consecutive monthly decline, and still far below any hint of a return to a healthy economy.
As the following chart courtesy of Investor's Business Daily demonstrates, the American consumer has found little reason for increased optimism since the President arrogantly announced nearly three years ago that he had "rescued our economy from catastrophe" and the recovery had officially begun. By contrast, just six months into the Reagan-era recovery from the 1981-82 recession the Consumer Confidence Index returned to 90 – indicating a "healthy economy"- and climbed even higher thereafter.
The Index hasn't been anywhere close to 90 since December 2007....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: Craig Daily Press "Twentymile’s presence at Romney event part of shifting focus"
Photo Credit: Mary Austin (Craig Daily Press)
Joe Moylan:
"Pat Sollars, vice president and general manager of Peabody Energy’s Colorado operations, said the company has historically kept information about operations under wraps.
But, with stricter U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations on the horizon targeting methane gas emissions at coal mines, and new rules on greenhouse gas and mercury emissions at coal-fired power plants, Sollars said Peabody recently decided to take a more aggressive position focused on public education.
That new strategy is what motivated Sollars to pull 148 Twentymile Mine workers to the surface to attend Tuesday’s Mitt Romney presidential campaign rally at Alice Pleasant Park in Craig.
More than 300 weekend shifters, friends, family members and vendors joined the miners in an effort to show industry support.
“We hope we made an impact,” Sollars said of the event. “I think we were able to show the community how many people are involved in the coal mining industry.
“When you have 2,000 people show up for an event and 450 of them are associated with one area coal mine, I think that makes a statement and they all know how vital coal is to our livelihood.” ..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
"Pat Sollars, vice president and general manager of Peabody Energy’s Colorado operations, said the company has historically kept information about operations under wraps.
But, with stricter U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations on the horizon targeting methane gas emissions at coal mines, and new rules on greenhouse gas and mercury emissions at coal-fired power plants, Sollars said Peabody recently decided to take a more aggressive position focused on public education.
That new strategy is what motivated Sollars to pull 148 Twentymile Mine workers to the surface to attend Tuesday’s Mitt Romney presidential campaign rally at Alice Pleasant Park in Craig.
More than 300 weekend shifters, friends, family members and vendors joined the miners in an effort to show industry support.
“We hope we made an impact,” Sollars said of the event. “I think we were able to show the community how many people are involved in the coal mining industry.
“When you have 2,000 people show up for an event and 450 of them are associated with one area coal mine, I think that makes a statement and they all know how vital coal is to our livelihood.” ..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: Coloradoan "Stories show how Fort Collins police, citizens save lives, catch criminials"
Wonderful piece from Robert Allen off the Coloradoan today. Be sure to read all (7) pages.
Robert Allen:
"....But thanks to the contributions of Fort Collins police officers, a bystander and a hospital worker, the man who committed the attack and an unsolved Denver murder was arrested within a week of the July 5 incident.
It was one of more than 20,000 cases Fort Collins police handled in the past year. On Wednesday, the agency will recognize many of the officers and citizens involved in those cases at its 20th annual awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Road.
Their stories reveal intuition and fast action that has been previously untold...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
Robert Allen:
"....But thanks to the contributions of Fort Collins police officers, a bystander and a hospital worker, the man who committed the attack and an unsolved Denver murder was arrested within a week of the July 5 incident.
It was one of more than 20,000 cases Fort Collins police handled in the past year. On Wednesday, the agency will recognize many of the officers and citizens involved in those cases at its 20th annual awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Road.
Their stories reveal intuition and fast action that has been previously untold...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: Denver Post "'Bath salt' drugs called emerging threat in Colo"
REMA RAHMAN:
"DENVER—The strangulation death of a 19-year-old Colorado man who authorities say had ingested a synthetic drug could be an indication of the emerging threat posed by such compounds, a federal drug agent said Friday.
Investigators believe Daniel J. Richards of Grand Junction was acting violently under the influence of the drug called Alpha-PVP on April 10 and was strangled when his friends tried to subdue him.
Friends took Richards to a hospital, and he died a few days later when he was taken off life support, police said.
Toxicology tests found Alpha-PVP in Richards' body, Mesa County Chief Deputy Coroner Kim Hollingshead said. He ruled the death a homicide......
>......Hollingshead and Jim Schrant, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, believe Richards' death is the first involving bath salts in western Colorado.
"It's an emerging drug of concern," Schrant said.
The DEA issued an emergency ban in October on three ingredients often found in bath salts, and
Congress is debating whether to impose a permanent ban.
DEA spokeswoman Barbara Carreno said it is unclear whether the chemical found in Richards' body is one of the three compounds banned by the agency, but she said it could have been a substance created to provide the same effects....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
"DENVER—The strangulation death of a 19-year-old Colorado man who authorities say had ingested a synthetic drug could be an indication of the emerging threat posed by such compounds, a federal drug agent said Friday.
Investigators believe Daniel J. Richards of Grand Junction was acting violently under the influence of the drug called Alpha-PVP on April 10 and was strangled when his friends tried to subdue him.
Friends took Richards to a hospital, and he died a few days later when he was taken off life support, police said.
Toxicology tests found Alpha-PVP in Richards' body, Mesa County Chief Deputy Coroner Kim Hollingshead said. He ruled the death a homicide......
>......Hollingshead and Jim Schrant, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, believe Richards' death is the first involving bath salts in western Colorado.
"It's an emerging drug of concern," Schrant said.
The DEA issued an emergency ban in October on three ingredients often found in bath salts, and
Congress is debating whether to impose a permanent ban.
DEA spokeswoman Barbara Carreno said it is unclear whether the chemical found in Richards' body is one of the three compounds banned by the agency, but she said it could have been a substance created to provide the same effects....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Undocumented workers have already broken law"
(To read 'Ted Hess's latest motion filed in the court of public opinion', click here)
Voldemort. There you go....say the name. VOLDEMORT.
"He who must not be named"....no longer has as much "mysterious power" when you simply talk about "him" out loud.
"Illegal" immigration.....is law that has already been broken.
Go ahead. Say it out loud:
"Anyone"...even long-time Glenwood Springs lawyers who shamelessly manipulate the media to try their cases in the media....don't have quite as much power when you simply.....point out what they're doing while you talk with other folks in your area communities.
Go ahead. Say it out loud:
Thank you to all local, regional, state and federal law enforcment who pick up every single illegal they find and can arrest within law. You are not local "demons", you are actually very much appreciated.
Go ahead.
Say it out loud:
VOLDEMORT.
Tina Holtz:
"....I read the May 30 letter to the editor from Ted Hess requesting the Post Independent to correct false information. Mr. Hess stated that undocumented workers do not receive food stamps or assistance.
An undocumented worker has already broken the law. They are illegal, they also sometimes commit other illegal acts, such as using false Social Security numbers and identification, and many times steal the identity of others, thus allowing them the ability to seek government assistance....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
Voldemort. There you go....say the name. VOLDEMORT.
"He who must not be named"....no longer has as much "mysterious power" when you simply talk about "him" out loud.
"Illegal" immigration.....is law that has already been broken.
Go ahead. Say it out loud:
"Anyone"...even long-time Glenwood Springs lawyers who shamelessly manipulate the media to try their cases in the media....don't have quite as much power when you simply.....point out what they're doing while you talk with other folks in your area communities.
Go ahead. Say it out loud:
Thank you to all local, regional, state and federal law enforcment who pick up every single illegal they find and can arrest within law. You are not local "demons", you are actually very much appreciated.
Go ahead.
Say it out loud:
VOLDEMORT.
Tina Holtz:
"....I read the May 30 letter to the editor from Ted Hess requesting the Post Independent to correct false information. Mr. Hess stated that undocumented workers do not receive food stamps or assistance.
An undocumented worker has already broken the law. They are illegal, they also sometimes commit other illegal acts, such as using false Social Security numbers and identification, and many times steal the identity of others, thus allowing them the ability to seek government assistance....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News " Prince Bandar ranch sells for $49 million"
Curtis Wackerle:
"Hala Ranch, the luxury Starwood spread of Prince Bandar bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia, sold Thursday for $49 million, marking one of the largest real estate transactions in Pitkin County history.
The buyer is identified in public records only as Starwood Mountain Ranch LLC, which was incorporated in March by a local law firm. The corporation purchased “lot 1” on the property for $8 million, and “lot 2” for $41 million.
Prince Bandar was Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005. He listed his 95-acre ranch and the 56,000-square-foot home in 2006 for $135 million, but officially pulled it off the market 16 months later.....
.....Starwood Mountain Ranch also purchased two interests in the Aspen Residence Club for $500,000.
Joshua Saslove, the broker on the deal, could not be reached for comment...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
"Hala Ranch, the luxury Starwood spread of Prince Bandar bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia, sold Thursday for $49 million, marking one of the largest real estate transactions in Pitkin County history.
The buyer is identified in public records only as Starwood Mountain Ranch LLC, which was incorporated in March by a local law firm. The corporation purchased “lot 1” on the property for $8 million, and “lot 2” for $41 million.
Prince Bandar was Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005. He listed his 95-acre ranch and the 56,000-square-foot home in 2006 for $135 million, but officially pulled it off the market 16 months later.....
.....Starwood Mountain Ranch also purchased two interests in the Aspen Residence Club for $500,000.
Joshua Saslove, the broker on the deal, could not be reached for comment...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "The Economic Impact of JUCO Championship
Christy Dimond:
"Going to game 19 tonight means out-of-state visitors are staying in Grand Junction for an extra day...
That's an extra day with a lot of extra revenue for the tournament and city.
JUCO tournament chair Jamie Hamilton is certainly enthusiastic about tonight's game.
"We're always looking for the extra day. It always helps us because the dollars stay here and they go back into the facility and back into the community so we always like that," he says.
Hamilton says walk-up ticket sales alone will typically bring an additional $15,000-$20,000 in revenue... but that's not pocket change.
"When we have an $8.3 million project to pay for. It's nice to have extra revenue to try to pay that off as quick as possible," Hamilton says.
That project being the new Suplizio Stadium... Strong ticket sales have been significant in refunding that project.
"Back to the championship- last night and tonight- we sold out both nights, so a really great week for us," says Landon Balding, online ticket sales manager.
Outside the stadium, the visitors and convention bureau estimates the extra day will bring in $26,000 in travel expenses.
"We had some people booking as early as February 15 when tickets first went on sale," says Balding.
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
"Going to game 19 tonight means out-of-state visitors are staying in Grand Junction for an extra day...
That's an extra day with a lot of extra revenue for the tournament and city.
JUCO tournament chair Jamie Hamilton is certainly enthusiastic about tonight's game.
"We're always looking for the extra day. It always helps us because the dollars stay here and they go back into the facility and back into the community so we always like that," he says.
Hamilton says walk-up ticket sales alone will typically bring an additional $15,000-$20,000 in revenue... but that's not pocket change.
"When we have an $8.3 million project to pay for. It's nice to have extra revenue to try to pay that off as quick as possible," Hamilton says.
That project being the new Suplizio Stadium... Strong ticket sales have been significant in refunding that project.
"Back to the championship- last night and tonight- we sold out both nights, so a really great week for us," says Landon Balding, online ticket sales manager.
Outside the stadium, the visitors and convention bureau estimates the extra day will bring in $26,000 in travel expenses.
"We had some people booking as early as February 15 when tickets first went on sale," says Balding.
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News : "How much would you pay for the Daily News?"
Dave Danforth:
"...One way to save fine journalism is to reconsider how it’s delivered. We’re not doing writers much of a favor by assuming that it must be wrapped in long-doomed customs rooted in the belief that real journalism, to be valuable, must always carry a price counted in quarters or dollar bills.
It’s not a matter of proving the worth of fine writing. It’s about re-thinking the marketing and distribution of information. We may not have to go entirely digital to survive. ..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
"...One way to save fine journalism is to reconsider how it’s delivered. We’re not doing writers much of a favor by assuming that it must be wrapped in long-doomed customs rooted in the belief that real journalism, to be valuable, must always carry a price counted in quarters or dollar bills.
It’s not a matter of proving the worth of fine writing. It’s about re-thinking the marketing and distribution of information. We may not have to go entirely digital to survive. ..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Best of May (part 1)"
All credit Bob Berwyn (Click Title):
"SUMMIT COUNTY — May was quite a month for photography. It’s always been my favorite time of year in the high country, with snow on high, greening up in the valleys, wildflowers and sometimes wild weather that makes for dramatic skies. Here are some of the best shots from May 2012. If any of these images speak to you and you’d like see it framed and hanging on your wall, leave a note in the comment section, and for more Summit County scenes, visit our Imagekind online gallery, where you can order prints, unframed or framed. The gallery even has a nifty preview function where you see how the picture looks with different mattes...."
"SUMMIT COUNTY — May was quite a month for photography. It’s always been my favorite time of year in the high country, with snow on high, greening up in the valleys, wildflowers and sometimes wild weather that makes for dramatic skies. Here are some of the best shots from May 2012. If any of these images speak to you and you’d like see it framed and hanging on your wall, leave a note in the comment section, and for more Summit County scenes, visit our Imagekind online gallery, where you can order prints, unframed or framed. The gallery even has a nifty preview function where you see how the picture looks with different mattes...."
May 31, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Charlie Leonard: Show Germany the way, Obama"
Charlie Leonard:
"On Tuesday, it was reported that the Obama administration sent one of its top Treasury officials to Europe to tell government officials there that they need to take decisive actions now to solve their fiscal problems or risk causing another global economic crisis.
In a statement announcing the trip, the Treasury Department said the U.S. official “will meet with senior government officials in each country to discuss their plans for achieving economic stability and growth in Europe.” No additional details were provided.
Can you imagine how those talks are going?
“President Obama asked me to tell you that he really thinks the time has come for several of your countries to get control of your fiscal situation and to adopt policies that can help get your economies growing again.”
After seeing the constant threat of government defaults in Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, one can only imagine what a welcome relief Obama's advice to European officials must be this week.
Can't you just picture a profoundly grateful Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, saying to herself: “Fiscal stability and pro-growth policies — now why couldn't I have thought of that?”
Imagine, also, how profoundly embarrassed Germany must now be at having gone through a decade of painful reforms, including raising its retirement age, reducing unemployment benefits, lowering its deficits and easing hiring and wage restrictions in order to achieve its current prosperity. It seems all of that could have been avoided if Germany had just followed Obama's advice to pursue “growth and economic stability.”
This kind of extraordinary insight — from such a unique individual as Barack Obama — seems like the kind of advice from which others could benefit as well.
For instance, the president might consider sending one of his emissaries to the New York Yankees to advise the bullpen to improve their pitching if they want to have a chance at the playoffs. Or he could counsel the management of Kodak to adapt its products and services better to the digital age in order to escape bankruptcy. He could even urge contestants on “Survivor” and “Dancing With the Stars” to avoid being voted off their shows if they want to win their respective competitions....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"On Tuesday, it was reported that the Obama administration sent one of its top Treasury officials to Europe to tell government officials there that they need to take decisive actions now to solve their fiscal problems or risk causing another global economic crisis.
In a statement announcing the trip, the Treasury Department said the U.S. official “will meet with senior government officials in each country to discuss their plans for achieving economic stability and growth in Europe.” No additional details were provided.
Can you imagine how those talks are going?
“President Obama asked me to tell you that he really thinks the time has come for several of your countries to get control of your fiscal situation and to adopt policies that can help get your economies growing again.”
After seeing the constant threat of government defaults in Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, one can only imagine what a welcome relief Obama's advice to European officials must be this week.
Can't you just picture a profoundly grateful Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, saying to herself: “Fiscal stability and pro-growth policies — now why couldn't I have thought of that?”
Imagine, also, how profoundly embarrassed Germany must now be at having gone through a decade of painful reforms, including raising its retirement age, reducing unemployment benefits, lowering its deficits and easing hiring and wage restrictions in order to achieve its current prosperity. It seems all of that could have been avoided if Germany had just followed Obama's advice to pursue “growth and economic stability.”
This kind of extraordinary insight — from such a unique individual as Barack Obama — seems like the kind of advice from which others could benefit as well.
For instance, the president might consider sending one of his emissaries to the New York Yankees to advise the bullpen to improve their pitching if they want to have a chance at the playoffs. Or he could counsel the management of Kodak to adapt its products and services better to the digital age in order to escape bankruptcy. He could even urge contestants on “Survivor” and “Dancing With the Stars” to avoid being voted off their shows if they want to win their respective competitions....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Red State "The Extraordinary Nature of the Texas Runoff "
Erick Erickson:
"It is hard to overstate just how extraordinary Ted Cruz’s underdog entry into the Texas runoff is and just how the odds are still stacked against him unless conservatives rally quickly with lots of money.
David Dewhurst has been Lt. Governor of Texas for more than a decade. He has massive name ID throughout the state. Ted Cruz started this race with a three or four percent showing in polling.
More so, Dewhurst is a multimillionaire who can write large sums of money to fund his campaign. Ted Cruz cannot. Texas has several of the most expensive media markets in the country and the state is too large to go door to door across the state.
Dewhurst’s political team is Governor Rick Perry’s highly successful (in Texas) political team. I know a number of them and consider them friends. They are formidable.
To the chagrin of Texas tea party activists, Governor Perry himself is backing Lt. Governor Dewhurst publicly.
All the stars aligned for David Dewhurst — a deep well of money to draw from, high existing name id, statewide incumbency, support from the Governor and his winning political team. Still, the tea party rallied behind Ted Cruz and got him into a runoff.
Now, the variables are largely the same. Ted Cruz must raise a ton of cash quickly to compete. He has eight weeks. Media will be ridiculously expensive. He will have some of the biggest guns in Texas firing in his direction....."(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"It is hard to overstate just how extraordinary Ted Cruz’s underdog entry into the Texas runoff is and just how the odds are still stacked against him unless conservatives rally quickly with lots of money.
David Dewhurst has been Lt. Governor of Texas for more than a decade. He has massive name ID throughout the state. Ted Cruz started this race with a three or four percent showing in polling.
More so, Dewhurst is a multimillionaire who can write large sums of money to fund his campaign. Ted Cruz cannot. Texas has several of the most expensive media markets in the country and the state is too large to go door to door across the state.
Dewhurst’s political team is Governor Rick Perry’s highly successful (in Texas) political team. I know a number of them and consider them friends. They are formidable.
To the chagrin of Texas tea party activists, Governor Perry himself is backing Lt. Governor Dewhurst publicly.
All the stars aligned for David Dewhurst — a deep well of money to draw from, high existing name id, statewide incumbency, support from the Governor and his winning political team. Still, the tea party rallied behind Ted Cruz and got him into a runoff.
Now, the variables are largely the same. Ted Cruz must raise a ton of cash quickly to compete. He has eight weeks. Media will be ridiculously expensive. He will have some of the biggest guns in Texas firing in his direction....."(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Washington Post "Mitt Romney’s nomination marks milestone for Mormon faith"
The achievement comes four years after a spate of firsts, culminating with the election of the first African American president. This one has been greeted with little fanfare. And that is just how Romney and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints want it....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "DA: No charges in case of alleged trooper bias"
Paul Shockley:
" former Colorado State Patrol trooper, under scrutiny for alleged bias in his handling of impaired driving cases over four years, will not face criminal charges following a three-month investigation, District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said Wednesday.
However, Hautzinger said he intends to throw out 10 convictions stemming from cases investigated by ex-State Trooper Donald Moseman between 2008 and 2011.
Hautzinger, who hired a retired FBI agent to investigate 382 closed cases involving Moseman, said he doesn’t feel he can prove the ex-trooper committed any crimes. Those crimes, potentially false imprisonment, perjury, or official misconduct, among others, would require proof Moseman acted “intentionally or knowingly,” Hautzinger said.
“There’s no evidence proving he knowingly or intentionally framed innocent people or was trying to manufacture evidence,” Hautzinger said. “He just tended to see a case when we didn’t see it and others didn’t.”
Hautzinger’s non-charging decision comes as his own investigation, undertaken by retired former FBI Special Agent Jane Quimby, highlighted new concerns about the trooper’s work.
Hired in 1991 in a career that saw a break in patrol duties before again being assigned to roadways in Mesa County in 2008, Moseman left the State Patrol last December after records obtained by The Daily Sentinel showed an internal State Patrol investigation found “bias” in DUI cases....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
" former Colorado State Patrol trooper, under scrutiny for alleged bias in his handling of impaired driving cases over four years, will not face criminal charges following a three-month investigation, District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said Wednesday.
However, Hautzinger said he intends to throw out 10 convictions stemming from cases investigated by ex-State Trooper Donald Moseman between 2008 and 2011.
Hautzinger, who hired a retired FBI agent to investigate 382 closed cases involving Moseman, said he doesn’t feel he can prove the ex-trooper committed any crimes. Those crimes, potentially false imprisonment, perjury, or official misconduct, among others, would require proof Moseman acted “intentionally or knowingly,” Hautzinger said.
“There’s no evidence proving he knowingly or intentionally framed innocent people or was trying to manufacture evidence,” Hautzinger said. “He just tended to see a case when we didn’t see it and others didn’t.”
Hautzinger’s non-charging decision comes as his own investigation, undertaken by retired former FBI Special Agent Jane Quimby, highlighted new concerns about the trooper’s work.
Hired in 1991 in a career that saw a break in patrol duties before again being assigned to roadways in Mesa County in 2008, Moseman left the State Patrol last December after records obtained by The Daily Sentinel showed an internal State Patrol investigation found “bias” in DUI cases....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Colorado Cannabis Blog "Always Remember That Cannabis Is Safer "
Let's see how much blogosphere attention we can give to these guys:
"Always remember that cannabis is safer. Safer than cocaine. Safer than PCP, LSD or bath salts. Definitely safer than zombies.If you have no idea what we’re talking about, read this and this and then head over to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to brush up on your zombie preparedness skills… just in case...."
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Always remember that cannabis is safer. Safer than cocaine. Safer than PCP, LSD or bath salts. Definitely safer than zombies.If you have no idea what we’re talking about, read this and this and then head over to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to brush up on your zombie preparedness skills… just in case...."
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Federal Authorities Recover and Seize 1.4 Tons of Cocaine"
A special thank you to all of our DEA and Customs, Border protection agencies. You are appreciated.
"San Juan, Puerto Rico – Federal law enforcement authorities seized Monday 1,288 kilograms (1.4 tons) of cocaine packaged in 50 large bales that were recovered from the sea south of St. Croix.
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"San Juan, Puerto Rico – Federal law enforcement authorities seized Monday 1,288 kilograms (1.4 tons) of cocaine packaged in 50 large bales that were recovered from the sea south of St. Croix.
The announcement was made today by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
In the late Sunday evening hours, a CBP Caribbean Air and Marine Branch surveillance aircraft detected four men aboard a suspicious vessel, approximately 50 nautical miles south of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Upon detection the persons on board started to throw items overboard.
The crew of the Coast Guard Sapelo arrived on scene and began to recover the jettisoned cargo from the water. After searching all night and the following day with the assistance of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen, the crew of the Sapelo was able to recover 50 bales of suspected illegal contraband that had been thrown overboard from the suspect vessel. A further inspection and testing of the suspected drug shipment revealed the contraband to be cocaine.
The crew of a Coast Guard Cutter Sapelo transported the illegal drug shipment to Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday night, where they transferred custody to awaiting Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agents.
“This interdiction is part of CBP's continued effort to work with fellow federal, state, local, and international partners to combat individuals and criminal organizations that pose a threat to our communities,” indicated Johnny Morales, Director of Air Operations for CBP’s Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.
“This massive seizure of 1.4 tons of cocaine is a clear indication of the hard work and dedication that the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police Department and Customs and Border Protection have in combining our resources,” said Drug Enforcement Administration, Caribbean Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Pedro Janer. “We will continue to stop these groups who think they can smuggle narcotics into Puerto Rico with flagrant disregard of our enforcement capabilities and our laws.”
“The outstanding efforts and collaboration between federal law enforcement authorities are responsible for this successful disruption and seizure, which prevented a major drug shipment from reaching our shores,” said Coast Guard Capt. Drew Pearson, Sector San Juan commander.
The combined federal law enforcement authorities believe that this is among the biggest drug seizures in the area for the past three years.
The Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) is the only Federal law enforcement agency in the Caribbean Basin with integrated air and marine interdiction capabilities. It is charged with detection and interdiction of airborne and maritime smuggling and uses our organic radar facilities to detect and intercept air smuggling attempts, and airborne radar tracking aircraft to detect maritime smugglers.
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 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: Huffington Post "Lindsay Sandiford Smuggled $2.6 Million In Cocaine To Indonesia, Faces Firing Squad, Cops Say "
Andy Campbell:
"A British housewife faces the firing squad in Bali after she allegedly tried to smuggle $2.6 million worth of cocaine into Indonesia.
Indonesian authorities are tougher on drug smugglers than most countries in the world. Many drug pushers have faced the death penalty for such crimes, and a lot of them are foreigners, according to BBC.
Customs agents spotted Sandiford's alleged haul on an X-ray machine at the Indonesian airport on May 19.
They reportedly found the drugs in the lining of her suitcase.
She reportedly cooperated with police and helped net the three Britons and the Indian man she was scheduled to meet up with.
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"A British housewife faces the firing squad in Bali after she allegedly tried to smuggle $2.6 million worth of cocaine into Indonesia.
Cops said Lindsay Sandiford, 55, hid a whopping 10.4 pounds of the drug in a suitcase, and was caught at an airport on her way to sell it to three Britons and an Indian national, BBC reported.
Indonesian authorities are tougher on drug smugglers than most countries in the world. Many drug pushers have faced the death penalty for such crimes, and a lot of them are foreigners, according to BBC.
Customs agents spotted Sandiford's alleged haul on an X-ray machine at the Indonesian airport on May 19.
They reportedly found the drugs in the lining of her suitcase.
Sandiford, of Gloucester, told customs agents she was a housewife, and that she'd just come from Bangkok, SMH reported.
She reportedly cooperated with police and helped net the three Britons and the Indian man she was scheduled to meet up with.
"It's an international network controlled from abroad," Mulyadi, the head of Bali's drug squad, told AAP....."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "The lodging Aspen needs"
What makes Aspen Daily News stand so far and above either the Aspen Times or the Glenwood Springs Post Independent?
Sure, being the only locally owned and locally operated print news media in the Valley goes a long way toward the Daily holding it's spot as 'local favorite'.
But where the bar stays set so high is in the quality of the Daily's opinion columnists and reporters.
Terrific column from Jeremy Madden this week. Speaking up once again about "The Other Side of Paradise".
Jeremy Madden:
"In last Friday’s Aspen Daily News, Curtis Wackerle wrote a piece titled “Can high-priced Aspen support a low-priced lodge?” Curtis’ story chronicled the endless debate about what direction Aspen should take when it comes to optimizing its lodging options in regards to its past, present and future.
As usual, the dialogue of the discussion seemed to deviate somewhere between those who want to embrace exclusivity, elitism, and all the accouterments the 1 percent reign down upon the town when they so givingly grace us with their presence, and those who want Aspen to be a more affordable and accepting destination that is accessible to the less entitled.
Unfortunately, as I read the story, I didn’t see anything about the lodging that Aspen needs. We like to think Aspen is a model community and a leader in living, and the rest of the world should strive to stand in our shadow. We like to see Silver City as a shining city on a hill and an example for others to emulate. With mind, body and spirit we want to believe it is a better place. But as much as we try, we all know that’s not quite true. In fact, it has now become quite clear that Aspen is no leader at all.
It used to be some sort of a secret. Not so many people knew. Well, at least it was seldom, if ever, spoken about. But over the last few years that has all changed. Finally, it has gotten the attention it deserves. It had to happen. After all, death is something that cannot be completely ignored.
After years of simmering under the surface like some dark family secret, discussion and dialogue about the local suicide rate have started to come to a boil. After years of thinking that Aspen is a great place to live, we are starting to realize that Aspen may be an even better place to die.
With her sky-high suicide rates, Aspen has a serious problem. Say what you want about how wonderful Aspen is, but as a city, a society and a community, Aspen is obviously failing. Too many friends, family and loved ones are falling victim to their own hand.
While some may be wondering what suicide has to do with lodging in Aspen, to me it is clear. As a resort community we’re so concerned with the welfare of our guests that we often overlook the welfare of ourselves and our own loved ones. Maybe it’s time we take a break and stop thinking about the tourists to take a little time to think about ourselves.
If you do, you’ll realize the lodging Aspen needs is not for tourists or any other far-flung guests. Nor does it have anything to do with how much one can pay for a night’s stay. That’s because the lodging that Aspen needs is a permanent, well-funded homeless shelter....."
(Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Sure, being the only locally owned and locally operated print news media in the Valley goes a long way toward the Daily holding it's spot as 'local favorite'.
But where the bar stays set so high is in the quality of the Daily's opinion columnists and reporters.
Terrific column from Jeremy Madden this week. Speaking up once again about "The Other Side of Paradise".
Jeremy Madden:
"In last Friday’s Aspen Daily News, Curtis Wackerle wrote a piece titled “Can high-priced Aspen support a low-priced lodge?” Curtis’ story chronicled the endless debate about what direction Aspen should take when it comes to optimizing its lodging options in regards to its past, present and future.
As usual, the dialogue of the discussion seemed to deviate somewhere between those who want to embrace exclusivity, elitism, and all the accouterments the 1 percent reign down upon the town when they so givingly grace us with their presence, and those who want Aspen to be a more affordable and accepting destination that is accessible to the less entitled.
Unfortunately, as I read the story, I didn’t see anything about the lodging that Aspen needs. We like to think Aspen is a model community and a leader in living, and the rest of the world should strive to stand in our shadow. We like to see Silver City as a shining city on a hill and an example for others to emulate. With mind, body and spirit we want to believe it is a better place. But as much as we try, we all know that’s not quite true. In fact, it has now become quite clear that Aspen is no leader at all.
It used to be some sort of a secret. Not so many people knew. Well, at least it was seldom, if ever, spoken about. But over the last few years that has all changed. Finally, it has gotten the attention it deserves. It had to happen. After all, death is something that cannot be completely ignored.
After years of simmering under the surface like some dark family secret, discussion and dialogue about the local suicide rate have started to come to a boil. After years of thinking that Aspen is a great place to live, we are starting to realize that Aspen may be an even better place to die.
With her sky-high suicide rates, Aspen has a serious problem. Say what you want about how wonderful Aspen is, but as a city, a society and a community, Aspen is obviously failing. Too many friends, family and loved ones are falling victim to their own hand.
While some may be wondering what suicide has to do with lodging in Aspen, to me it is clear. As a resort community we’re so concerned with the welfare of our guests that we often overlook the welfare of ourselves and our own loved ones. Maybe it’s time we take a break and stop thinking about the tourists to take a little time to think about ourselves.
If you do, you’ll realize the lodging Aspen needs is not for tourists or any other far-flung guests. Nor does it have anything to do with how much one can pay for a night’s stay. That’s because the lodging that Aspen needs is a permanent, well-funded homeless shelter....."
(Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Running for their lives"
Jeff Casperson:
"Nanci Limbach was the child who would bring home a squirrel that had been hit by a car, hoping to nurse it back to health.
As an adult, she's tending to animals of all species and sizes.
Limbach, founder and executive director of the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation in Silt, is one of the state's few caretakers of ailing and displaced wild critters.
Bears, bobcats, elk, hawks, eagles and pretty much any other wild animal you can think of have passed through the foundation since it opened in 1984. An estimated 5,000 wild animals have been rehabilitated and released.
And Saturday's Run/Walk For Their Lives 5K footrace is your chance to help out. The annual race is one of the chief fundraisers for the foundation, a nonprofit named after Limbach's animal-loving grandmother, that relies on the community's financial support to remain afloat.
Perry Will, Glenwood Springs area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, is certainly a Limbach backer. He's worked closely with her for the better part of three decades.
“Rehab was in its infancy at the time she got started,” he said. “Nanci expressed a desire to do that. It morphed into the whole wildlife foundation she now has.”
Without the foundation, area critters would meet a cruel fate....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Nanci Limbach was the child who would bring home a squirrel that had been hit by a car, hoping to nurse it back to health.
As an adult, she's tending to animals of all species and sizes.
Limbach, founder and executive director of the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation in Silt, is one of the state's few caretakers of ailing and displaced wild critters.
Bears, bobcats, elk, hawks, eagles and pretty much any other wild animal you can think of have passed through the foundation since it opened in 1984. An estimated 5,000 wild animals have been rehabilitated and released.
And Saturday's Run/Walk For Their Lives 5K footrace is your chance to help out. The annual race is one of the chief fundraisers for the foundation, a nonprofit named after Limbach's animal-loving grandmother, that relies on the community's financial support to remain afloat.
Perry Will, Glenwood Springs area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, is certainly a Limbach backer. He's worked closely with her for the better part of three decades.
“Rehab was in its infancy at the time she got started,” he said. “Nanci expressed a desire to do that. It morphed into the whole wildlife foundation she now has.”
Without the foundation, area critters would meet a cruel fate....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Ideas Festival lineup set"
Carolyn Sackariason:
"This summer’s Aspen Ideas Festival lineup includes roughly 300 speakers, and topics of discussion are as diverse as contemplating how to deal with the pressures of an exploding world population, the roots of societal values, and America’s obsession with sports and athletes.
New this year will be a block party for the public, on July 1, at Rio Grande Park, said Kitty Boone, vice president at the Aspen Institute and the primary organizer of the Aspen Ideas Festival, which also is presented by The Atlantic magazine. There will be numerous activities at the block party, as well as music and zumba dance lessons, Boone said.
Boone said programming for the public during the week-long conference is currently being scheduled; tickets go on sale June 20. There will be events open to the public held all over town during the week.
Passes to the eighth annual festival, which runs June 27 to July 3, have been sold out since the spring and cost $2,750 each. Six hundred people purchased passes...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"This summer’s Aspen Ideas Festival lineup includes roughly 300 speakers, and topics of discussion are as diverse as contemplating how to deal with the pressures of an exploding world population, the roots of societal values, and America’s obsession with sports and athletes.
New this year will be a block party for the public, on July 1, at Rio Grande Park, said Kitty Boone, vice president at the Aspen Institute and the primary organizer of the Aspen Ideas Festival, which also is presented by The Atlantic magazine. There will be numerous activities at the block party, as well as music and zumba dance lessons, Boone said.
Boone said programming for the public during the week-long conference is currently being scheduled; tickets go on sale June 20. There will be events open to the public held all over town during the week.
Passes to the eighth annual festival, which runs June 27 to July 3, have been sold out since the spring and cost $2,750 each. Six hundred people purchased passes...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Silt mineral rights leased to Antero for four more years"
John Colson:
"Trustees unanimous in spite of a citizen's objections"
So stands one part in the honor of legacy that is Town of Silt Mayor Dave Moore.
A man and his Trustees who came into office a few years ago through a good 'ol fashioned barn burner of a political race.
With the stunningly bold strategy of simply publicly revealing the truths of how protracted, dysfunctional and preventive of any positive growth for Silt the powers that had been for years were, Moore and company seized their spot in Silt's history.
And have finally narrowed down the need for a 'babysitter' to just "a citizen".
Congratulations to the Town of Silt on the re-up of four more prosperous years working the the Antero team. You rock.
John Colson:
"Industry officials have long maintained that there is no proof that hydraulic fracturing or other drilling activities are harmful to those living near the rigs...." (Read more? Click title)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
"Trustees unanimous in spite of a citizen's objections"
So stands one part in the honor of legacy that is Town of Silt Mayor Dave Moore.
A man and his Trustees who came into office a few years ago through a good 'ol fashioned barn burner of a political race.
With the stunningly bold strategy of simply publicly revealing the truths of how protracted, dysfunctional and preventive of any positive growth for Silt the powers that had been for years were, Moore and company seized their spot in Silt's history.
And have finally narrowed down the need for a 'babysitter' to just "a citizen".
Congratulations to the Town of Silt on the re-up of four more prosperous years working the the Antero team. You rock.
John Colson:
"Industry officials have long maintained that there is no proof that hydraulic fracturing or other drilling activities are harmful to those living near the rigs...." (Read more? Click title)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Grand Avenue Bridge down to four options"
Yes, Virginia.
There really is going to be a new Grand Avenue Bridge. All the weeping and wailing done over the years trying to prevent really was pushed through well over a year ago when the folks 'staged a coup' and sat a near-clean sweep of city council via 'whispering campaigns' and the democratic process held in the power of the individual voter. Not to mention some pretty nifty strategy of keeping the best candidates unopposed.
A special thank you goes out to CDOT for having the patience of Job.
Here's to the little guys.
Let freedom ring.
Heather McGregor:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Engineers and community leaders have winnowed the 11 alignment options for a new Grand Avenue Bridge down to four, including one option to build a new bridge right where the current bridge is today.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is slated to present the four options at a community open house and meeting next week, with time for people to ask questions and express their views on the bridge options.
The agency has budgeted $59 million to design and build a new bridge replacing the city's primary route across the Colorado River.
If all goes as planned, the planning process will run through fall 2013, followed by a full year to develop the final bridge design. Construction is expected to take up to two and a half years, from early 2015 until fall of 2017....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
There really is going to be a new Grand Avenue Bridge. All the weeping and wailing done over the years trying to prevent really was pushed through well over a year ago when the folks 'staged a coup' and sat a near-clean sweep of city council via 'whispering campaigns' and the democratic process held in the power of the individual voter. Not to mention some pretty nifty strategy of keeping the best candidates unopposed.
A special thank you goes out to CDOT for having the patience of Job.
Here's to the little guys.
Let freedom ring.
Heather McGregor:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Engineers and community leaders have winnowed the 11 alignment options for a new Grand Avenue Bridge down to four, including one option to build a new bridge right where the current bridge is today.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is slated to present the four options at a community open house and meeting next week, with time for people to ask questions and express their views on the bridge options.
The agency has budgeted $59 million to design and build a new bridge replacing the city's primary route across the Colorado River.
If all goes as planned, the planning process will run through fall 2013, followed by a full year to develop the final bridge design. Construction is expected to take up to two and a half years, from early 2015 until fall of 2017....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Howlin' Howelsen kicks off 2012 Steamboat Springs Town Challenge"
Luke Graham:
"Steamboat Springs — Peter Kalmes quickly realized his advantage probably was everyone else’s, as well.
Like many Steamboat Springs mountain bikers, Kalmes took advantage of the light winter, biking up Emerald Mountain on hardpack snow. By February he was in Moab to ride on dirt, and come March 1, he was a fixture on his road bike.
“I feel a lot stronger because of the dry spring,” said Kalmes, who proved to be the fastest rider Wednesday in the opening event of the 2012 Steamboat Springs Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series. “I knew, and now I really know, that everyone took advantage of that. It made a difference for everyone.”
Wednesday’s Howlin’ Howelsen race predictably saw a little of everything. Old stalwarts battled the Emerald Mountain course that began at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena and meandered its way over a series of trails before finishing the ascent to the Quarry via Blair Witch and then heading back down.
The race even featured one rider sprinting across the finish line, flat tire going one way and chain going the other.
Then it had the final competitor across the finish line — long after everyone left to have a post-race beer — sporting an old-school Nishiki mountain bike with fenders and no sign of any suspension....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Steamboat Springs — Peter Kalmes quickly realized his advantage probably was everyone else’s, as well.
Like many Steamboat Springs mountain bikers, Kalmes took advantage of the light winter, biking up Emerald Mountain on hardpack snow. By February he was in Moab to ride on dirt, and come March 1, he was a fixture on his road bike.
“I feel a lot stronger because of the dry spring,” said Kalmes, who proved to be the fastest rider Wednesday in the opening event of the 2012 Steamboat Springs Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series. “I knew, and now I really know, that everyone took advantage of that. It made a difference for everyone.”
Wednesday’s Howlin’ Howelsen race predictably saw a little of everything. Old stalwarts battled the Emerald Mountain course that began at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena and meandered its way over a series of trails before finishing the ascent to the Quarry via Blair Witch and then heading back down.
The race even featured one rider sprinting across the finish line, flat tire going one way and chain going the other.
Then it had the final competitor across the finish line — long after everyone left to have a post-race beer — sporting an old-school Nishiki mountain bike with fenders and no sign of any suspension....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Teva Mountain Games start today"
Chris Freud:
"VAIL — Try to top that.
It's a game that the Teva Mountain Games has been playing rather successfully since its inception as the Jeep Whitewater Festival many years ago. That said, rafting toward a keg of beer at the end of Dowd Chute, no matter how noble the pursuit, wasn't hard.
But how do you top last year's steep-creek championships, which start the 2012 edition of the Mountain Games, today at 10 a.m. up at Homestake Creek near Red Cliff?
Honza Lasko, of the Czech Republic, and New Zealand's Michael Dawson tied for first in the two-run race down to the hundredth second — 3 minutes, 34.62 seconds.
Try doing that again.
OK, probably not, but the Homestake race kicks off four days of mountain sporting events, which should provide plenty of chills and definitely some spills. What was originally a rafting event is now a confluence of biking, running, whitewater, climbing, fishing and dog sports....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"VAIL — Try to top that.
It's a game that the Teva Mountain Games has been playing rather successfully since its inception as the Jeep Whitewater Festival many years ago. That said, rafting toward a keg of beer at the end of Dowd Chute, no matter how noble the pursuit, wasn't hard.
But how do you top last year's steep-creek championships, which start the 2012 edition of the Mountain Games, today at 10 a.m. up at Homestake Creek near Red Cliff?
Honza Lasko, of the Czech Republic, and New Zealand's Michael Dawson tied for first in the two-run race down to the hundredth second — 3 minutes, 34.62 seconds.
Try doing that again.
OK, probably not, but the Homestake race kicks off four days of mountain sporting events, which should provide plenty of chills and definitely some spills. What was originally a rafting event is now a confluence of biking, running, whitewater, climbing, fishing and dog sports....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Paradise"
All credit Bob Berwyn (Click title):
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Today’s #FriFotos Twitter chat asks the intriguing question, what is paradise? After a long day of reporting environmental stories yesterday, I didn’t have a whole lot of time to spend on creating a photo essay for the theme, but luckily I didn’t need it! A quick two-finger scroll through my archives revealed paradise at nearly every stop, from the wildlands of Arizona and Utah, to the beaches of the Caribbean and right here in my own backyard. As a photographer and traveler, I feel like I see a little bit of paradise each day. Share your own version by uploading pics to the Twitter stream and giving them the #FriFotos hashtag. See you there!...."
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Today’s #FriFotos Twitter chat asks the intriguing question, what is paradise? After a long day of reporting environmental stories yesterday, I didn’t have a whole lot of time to spend on creating a photo essay for the theme, but luckily I didn’t need it! A quick two-finger scroll through my archives revealed paradise at nearly every stop, from the wildlands of Arizona and Utah, to the beaches of the Caribbean and right here in my own backyard. As a photographer and traveler, I feel like I see a little bit of paradise each day. Share your own version by uploading pics to the Twitter stream and giving them the #FriFotos hashtag. See you there!...."
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