The topic of diverting lottery funds is one of the most absurd yet out of our state lawmakers. They either go at it as 'all or nothing' (or) refuse to stand up to the trough hogs like Pitkin County.
Washington State and the State of Illinois disburse gaming proceeds, specifically lottery.
A certain percentage goes to Parks, Rec, Open Space. Another chunk goes to public and post-secondary education. Another piece of the pie goes to Road, Bridge and Infrastructure maintenance. With another slice going to Human Services. Periodically, some rotations are done.
GOCO has sucked up millions of dollars in lottery proceeds since inception. There are counties around the state that are just sitting on funds trying to find still yet another play park, recreational game or venue or chunk of ground to build something 'recreational' on.
While our schools and public education system are in dire financial straits, we have more homeless and hungry than every before in Colorado history and you can't drive anywhere without a wide range of pot holes plaguing every mile you drive.
A few days ago, the Aspen Times published their editorial "Aspen pounds its liberal chest" and did so with obviously great pride. I could not stomach the thought of the likely bloody brutality commentators would respond with, so I did not toss it up. The topics they chose to tout as "liberal" base were far from politics. Why is it, that immediate inflammatory content is the first choice for "liberal" publications?
Since when are liberals the only ones who conserve and recycle plastics? What? Mayor Mick, who apparently is the only one who has "secret access" to all cast ballots, went in and determined that it was only "liberals" who voted for the ban?? Get real!.
"Liberals" are the only ones who supported getting away from the US Chamber? Here's a news flash, Aspen and ACRA: You have a lot more "liberals" and "conservatives" out here wanting a clear transparency answer on "why" the detailed accounting of the ACRA 501-C6 isn't the reason for leaving the US Chamber behind. The very idea that an entire 'scandal' can be played out in global press over the "climate change" and "US Chamber decision" is ridiculous, silly and pompous. You have much greater concerns, say the folks.
The Aspen arm of the Susan G. Komen foundation saw heavy negative fire from an entire nation, not just "conservatives". Their position catalyzed the conversation to ignite but the primary back-slappers were Aspenites. The move by Aspen's Komen sparked the "war on women" battles that have been going on ever since. A war, since the Aspen Times is keeping score, that "conservative women" are winning. This isn't about Roe v. Wade, birth control, Planned Parenthood funding. The "war on women" is about respect for all women. Something that a rising showing of "liberals" are having difficulty with. Aspen Komen had a few great days of media spotlight but the message they sent was exactly the opposite of what they thought they were achieving. "Conservative" women have since made certain that the facts are drowning out the spin. So far, "they" seem to not only be succeeding, "they" seem to be showing a great deal of respect for all women.
I wonder if the Pitkin County Commissioners are going to write still yet another of their infamous letters. This time trying to stop the 'education hogs' from seizing the entire pie of lottery proceeds.
That might be tough to pull off with any credibility since they are "open space, parks and rec hogs' themselves and are just coming off sending their latest missive to the government.
And then there is that small problem of the blazing 'manufactured outrage' sending too many letters protecting Aspen's drug and law enforcement culture. Just look where that got them with the DEA and FBI.
How about sharing that cash cow of gaming proceeds?
win win.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label Pitkin County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pitkin County. Show all posts
April 27, 2012
March 14, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Pitkin County self-sufficiency standards presented to BOCC"
In easier to grasp terms, that works out to at least $13.00 per hour. Low and mid-tier Skico employees make less per hour than that. In fact, low tier make under $11.00 per hour. In fact, one has to be in a management position at Aspen Ski Corp. to make that bare minimum. And that bare minimum? Is for a single person. If you are single with one child you need to be making between $28 and $29 per hour.
Remember now, Aspen's largest employer is seasonal. So double or triple what you need to earn in order to get that made in 6 months or less.
Remember now, your 'perks' like health insurance, free ski pass and bus pass lower your expenses which translates out to a great point that Tracey Stewart makes in this article. 'You make too much' to qualify for most all subsidies to help out. Now there is a very interesting thought considering Aspen's blue blood runs liberal. Good 'ol fashioned capitalism is sounding better by the day, isn't it?
Still think Lee Mulcahy's voice should have been quashed by $Big Money$? Or that he should still be enduring the wrath of $Big Money$ for exposing them?
Before personally judging Mulcahy and supporters, please read up on all of the facts and get familiar with all of the story.
While you're at it, please read the entire article by Dorothy Atkins today. Up on the Aspen Daily News.
Dorothy Atkins:
"In order to be self sufficient and live in Pitkin County, an individual needs to make at least $27,000 a year, according to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP), while a single parent with three young children needs to make $103,607 annually to get by on their own.
The nonprofit agency presented the statistics and others related to self-sufficiency standards to the Board of County Commissioners in a work session on Tuesday.
The study is an income measurement tool that determines how much money families of various sizes and compositions living in specific geographic locations need to earn in order to make ends meet without public or private assistance. The nonprofit produces the study every three years.
A singe parent with one child needs to earn at least $59,400 a year to be self sufficient in Pitkin County, while a two-parent, two-child household needs to make over $87,500 a year here, according to the study.
Those statistics include federal tax credits that families would theoretically receive like the child care credit and the earned income tax credit.
The study also addresses the increase in costs of basic needs since 2004. Of the six categories, all costs have gone up in Pitkin County except transportation. The costs of housing, child care, food, health care and taxes have all increased. The cost of health care showed the largest jump, increasing by 121 percent, which is consistent with the rest of the state, said Tracey Stewart, self-sufficiency project coordinator with CCLP.
Of a sampling of various common working and middle class lines of work, only two occupations in Pitkin County pay enough for a single parent with one preschooler and one school-age child to be self sufficient, according to the study. Those are registered nurses and operations managers, the latter of which theoretically includes people in management positions at Aspen Skiing Co., Stewart said.
Commissioner Rob Ittner questioned Stewart on whether or not the study took into account benefits that residents receive — like affordable housing and food stamps — which can do a lot to offset the high cost of living in Pitkin County.
Stewart countered that there is often a gap between the amount of money individuals would have to earn on the lower end to qualify for receiving benefits from the government and the amount one would have to make to be self-sufficient...." (Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Remember now, Aspen's largest employer is seasonal. So double or triple what you need to earn in order to get that made in 6 months or less.
Remember now, your 'perks' like health insurance, free ski pass and bus pass lower your expenses which translates out to a great point that Tracey Stewart makes in this article. 'You make too much' to qualify for most all subsidies to help out. Now there is a very interesting thought considering Aspen's blue blood runs liberal. Good 'ol fashioned capitalism is sounding better by the day, isn't it?
Still think Lee Mulcahy's voice should have been quashed by $Big Money$? Or that he should still be enduring the wrath of $Big Money$ for exposing them?
Before personally judging Mulcahy and supporters, please read up on all of the facts and get familiar with all of the story.
While you're at it, please read the entire article by Dorothy Atkins today. Up on the Aspen Daily News.
Dorothy Atkins:
"In order to be self sufficient and live in Pitkin County, an individual needs to make at least $27,000 a year, according to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP), while a single parent with three young children needs to make $103,607 annually to get by on their own.
The nonprofit agency presented the statistics and others related to self-sufficiency standards to the Board of County Commissioners in a work session on Tuesday.
The study is an income measurement tool that determines how much money families of various sizes and compositions living in specific geographic locations need to earn in order to make ends meet without public or private assistance. The nonprofit produces the study every three years.
A singe parent with one child needs to earn at least $59,400 a year to be self sufficient in Pitkin County, while a two-parent, two-child household needs to make over $87,500 a year here, according to the study.
Those statistics include federal tax credits that families would theoretically receive like the child care credit and the earned income tax credit.
The study also addresses the increase in costs of basic needs since 2004. Of the six categories, all costs have gone up in Pitkin County except transportation. The costs of housing, child care, food, health care and taxes have all increased. The cost of health care showed the largest jump, increasing by 121 percent, which is consistent with the rest of the state, said Tracey Stewart, self-sufficiency project coordinator with CCLP.
Of a sampling of various common working and middle class lines of work, only two occupations in Pitkin County pay enough for a single parent with one preschooler and one school-age child to be self sufficient, according to the study. Those are registered nurses and operations managers, the latter of which theoretically includes people in management positions at Aspen Skiing Co., Stewart said.
Commissioner Rob Ittner questioned Stewart on whether or not the study took into account benefits that residents receive — like affordable housing and food stamps — which can do a lot to offset the high cost of living in Pitkin County.
Stewart countered that there is often a gap between the amount of money individuals would have to earn on the lower end to qualify for receiving benefits from the government and the amount one would have to make to be self-sufficient...." (Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 13, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Drug case leads to Aspen man being arrested again"
"An Aspen man facing eight felony drug charges was arrested again Friday at a large party at the Aspen Recreation Center for allegedly violating the terms of earlier sentences in separate cases.
Thomas Simmons, 22, was taken into custody around 11 p.m. on two warrants out of Garfield County.
Simmons was arrested Feb. 4 and originally charged with tampering with evidence in a case that was later dropped because police misidentified him on surveillance video. But an officer allegedly found cocaine and ecstasy packaged for sale on his person when he was arrested at the Belly Up during a concert.
Police then obtained a search warrant for his Park Circle apartment. There, police say they uncovered 4.6 ounces of MDMA and 1.6 ounces of cocaine, along with 27 doses of LSD and nearly an ounce of psilocybin mushrooms. Aspen authorities said it was one of their largest drug seizures in recent memory.
The arrest apparently violated the sentencing terms of two cases Simmons had in Garfield County. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor theft and also admitted culpability in a 2009 felony drug-distribution case...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Thomas Simmons, 22, was taken into custody around 11 p.m. on two warrants out of Garfield County.
Simmons was arrested Feb. 4 and originally charged with tampering with evidence in a case that was later dropped because police misidentified him on surveillance video. But an officer allegedly found cocaine and ecstasy packaged for sale on his person when he was arrested at the Belly Up during a concert.
Police then obtained a search warrant for his Park Circle apartment. There, police say they uncovered 4.6 ounces of MDMA and 1.6 ounces of cocaine, along with 27 doses of LSD and nearly an ounce of psilocybin mushrooms. Aspen authorities said it was one of their largest drug seizures in recent memory.
The arrest apparently violated the sentencing terms of two cases Simmons had in Garfield County. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor theft and also admitted culpability in a 2009 felony drug-distribution case...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 9, 2012
SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Pitkin County to rethink inaction on medical pot"
Hard to remember why in the world Colorado ever thought it was a wise idea to make medical marijuana legal while marijuana in all forms is illegal on federal levels, isn't it?
Our county and city and state employees can face legal penalties for handling transactions of any kind where MMJ is concerned.
Banks, landlords, lenders and merchant services cannot go anywhere near these MMJ businesses due to the legal ramifications.
We've seen crime numbers where all pot is concerned sky-rocket since the passage of the medical marijuana laws in Colorado. And have no way of knowing until a generation or two passes exactly how much harm to our youth the easy access and exposure has done.
Yet, from what Dennis Webb is bringing us off the Sentinel, we now cannot even place moratoriums on all things MMJ because that too, will bring liability to the folks.
Hard to remember why in the world Colorado ever thought it was a wise idea to make medical marijuana legal while marijuana in all forms is illegal on federal levels, isn't it?
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Our county and city and state employees can face legal penalties for handling transactions of any kind where MMJ is concerned.
Banks, landlords, lenders and merchant services cannot go anywhere near these MMJ businesses due to the legal ramifications.
We've seen crime numbers where all pot is concerned sky-rocket since the passage of the medical marijuana laws in Colorado. And have no way of knowing until a generation or two passes exactly how much harm to our youth the easy access and exposure has done.
Yet, from what Dennis Webb is bringing us off the Sentinel, we now cannot even place moratoriums on all things MMJ because that too, will bring liability to the folks.
Hard to remember why in the world Colorado ever thought it was a wise idea to make medical marijuana legal while marijuana in all forms is illegal on federal levels, isn't it?
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
December 27, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Maurice Emmer "A million here, a million there"
Maurice Emmer:
"...The hydroelectric plant's financial projections are only as good as the assumptions. Reality puts the lie to assumptions. Movement in a few assumptions could make the plant a financial disaster. Consider, for example, the 70 percent increase in project costs already acknowledged.
Why is Aspen marching down this risky road? It claims that the success of existing aged hydroelectric plants proves the wisdom. But the facts of the city's other hydroelectric sites are entirely different.
Aspen can buy renewable electricity generated elsewhere at affordable rates and resell it to Aspen's residents. This could happen in months, not years. Large utilities, capturing much greater economies of scale than Aspen's tiny operations, employing professional utility management that knows how to mitigate risk, could provide reliable streams of renewable energy indefinitely. Such utilities' future rates might increase — or decrease, given that supplies of traditional and renewable energy are increasing.
Moreover, any price risk from buying energy should be compared to the numerous risks of constructing another city-owned hydroelectric plant and being stuck with the costs and uncertainties associated with it for 50 to 80 years. It's not as if there isn't a price issue with the plant itself; even now there is strong evidence that hydroelectricity will be more expensive than other renewable electricity.
Let's get greener now: Buy existing renewable energy from a
reliable source, shut down the hydroelectric-plant boondoggle, and, this being Aspen, prepare for the next one. "
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"...The hydroelectric plant's financial projections are only as good as the assumptions. Reality puts the lie to assumptions. Movement in a few assumptions could make the plant a financial disaster. Consider, for example, the 70 percent increase in project costs already acknowledged.
Why is Aspen marching down this risky road? It claims that the success of existing aged hydroelectric plants proves the wisdom. But the facts of the city's other hydroelectric sites are entirely different.
Aspen can buy renewable electricity generated elsewhere at affordable rates and resell it to Aspen's residents. This could happen in months, not years. Large utilities, capturing much greater economies of scale than Aspen's tiny operations, employing professional utility management that knows how to mitigate risk, could provide reliable streams of renewable energy indefinitely. Such utilities' future rates might increase — or decrease, given that supplies of traditional and renewable energy are increasing.
Moreover, any price risk from buying energy should be compared to the numerous risks of constructing another city-owned hydroelectric plant and being stuck with the costs and uncertainties associated with it for 50 to 80 years. It's not as if there isn't a price issue with the plant itself; even now there is strong evidence that hydroelectricity will be more expensive than other renewable electricity.
Let's get greener now: Buy existing renewable energy from a
reliable source, shut down the hydroelectric-plant boondoggle, and, this being Aspen, prepare for the next one. "
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
September 16, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "County puts its foot down on building extensions"
"Newman had strong words for Coleman’s proposed West Buttermilk project, and scolded him for bringing it to the county board.
“I see this as a spec project and an opportunity to just flip it ... to take advantage of an ordinance meant to help people who are really in need,” Newman said...."
(Andrew Travers)
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
“I see this as a spec project and an opportunity to just flip it ... to take advantage of an ordinance meant to help people who are really in need,” Newman said...."
(Andrew Travers)
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
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