Bob Berwyn isn't our fav astronomer guy. Professor Jimmy Westlake, over on Steamboat Today is our absolutely best fav 'star man'.
But...Berwyn does put out some good posts on what's happening in the galaxy. This one is quite interesting.
"SUMMIT COUNTY — It may not be quite as sexy as the recent lunar eclipse, or as spectacular as this morning’s meteor shower, but Earth nonetheless experiences another celestial milestone today when it reaches it’s closest point to the sun during its 365-day orbit.
To be precise, at perihelion, our planet will close in to within about 91 million miles of the sun, more than 3 million miles closer than at the early July aphelion, when the the Earth and sun are more than 94 million miles apart. All this because, of course, the Earth’s orbit is elliptical and not circular.
It may seem counter-intuitive that the Earth is closer to the sun during the coldest time of the year, but the temperatures at the surface of the planet are influenced by the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis and the angle of the sun’s rays much more than by the distance from the sun. Because of that tilt, the northern hemisphere days are much shorter in our winter, leading to the colder temperatures.
According to NASA, there are measurable differences in solar heating that result from our planet’s slightly elliptical orbit.
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
January 4, 2012
SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Summit sunset series"
Anyone who thinks bloggers and commentary moderators have it easy, think again.
We don't have regular hours, days off unless we force them to be scheduled or the luxury of just a set scope of duties.
With as many as a dozen forums at a pop up on one's computer screen and heavy activity such as the Iowa Caucuses last night, the instant gratification you all see out there comes at a price for those of us who are currently etching out a living in the blogosphere.
So, today...SandBox says "Thank you" to Texas Governor Rick Perry for staying the course. Wait for it that our predictions given in the previous post come to pass.
Until tomorrow on this forum, here are a couple of relaxing spots for you followers. All credit goes to Bob Berwyn. Up and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice.
We don't have regular hours, days off unless we force them to be scheduled or the luxury of just a set scope of duties.
With as many as a dozen forums at a pop up on one's computer screen and heavy activity such as the Iowa Caucuses last night, the instant gratification you all see out there comes at a price for those of us who are currently etching out a living in the blogosphere.
So, today...SandBox says "Thank you" to Texas Governor Rick Perry for staying the course. Wait for it that our predictions given in the previous post come to pass.
Until tomorrow on this forum, here are a couple of relaxing spots for you followers. All credit goes to Bob Berwyn. Up and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice.
January 3, 2012
SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "DA to sift 400 cases in probe of ex-trooper"
We'll take a larger snip of this article on Trooper Moseman in today's Grand Junction Daily Sentinel because it is the portion that sums up what avatars in commentary have been voicing concerns over.
First, that when Hautzinger pointed out the discrepancies, Moseman had been suspected for years prior to. The folks are asking why it took so long for prosecutors, other cops and also the state patrol to speak up.
Second, the overall stress factor dumping this huge number of cases on our already weighted judicial system in the 21st District and how much that is going to cost the folks.
Very good report by Paul Shockley over on the Sentinel. Be sure to click title and read in its entirety.
Paul Shockley:
"Nearly 400 cases dating back to 2008 in Mesa County will be re-examined in the face of credibility concerns surrounding a former Colorado State Patrol trooper, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said.
Hautzinger’s assessment came after the District Attorney’s Office recently was provided a list of cases involving former trooper Donald Moseman over the past three years, which covers Moseman’s most recent stint working in Mesa County.
Hautzinger said the task of assessing old Moseman cases could take months, adding he may have to hire temporary employees or law school interns to assist with the job.
“My existing staff is already swamped,” he said.
At the DA’s request, the State Patrol compiled a list of all cases in which Moseman was the primary investigating officer or a significant witness. Hautzinger said a cursory review of the list showed everything from speeding infractions to alcohol- or drug-impaired driving arrests, in addition to at least two felony cases involving vehicular eluding and motor vehicle theft. The list was not released.
It does not include the 12 pending criminal cases, mostly DUI arrests in 2011 in which Moseman was the sole witness, that already have been dismissed by Hautzinger’s office over the past three weeks.
Reports were suspect
Moseman’s work became the focus of an internal investigation by the State Patrol after the District Attorney’s Office in October pointed out inconsistencies in Moseman’s case reports.
The State Patrol investigation found Moseman displayed a bias against drivers “who may have consumed alcohol or drugs prior to driving,” State Patrol Maj. Barry Bratt wrote in a letter to Hautzinger dated Dec. 5.
The letter said Moseman has submitted reports that combined information from prior arrests and the new criminal allegations, “resulting in reports which contained wrong or conflicting information.”
Hautzinger and State Patrol leadership have declined to elaborate.
First, that when Hautzinger pointed out the discrepancies, Moseman had been suspected for years prior to. The folks are asking why it took so long for prosecutors, other cops and also the state patrol to speak up.
Second, the overall stress factor dumping this huge number of cases on our already weighted judicial system in the 21st District and how much that is going to cost the folks.
Very good report by Paul Shockley over on the Sentinel. Be sure to click title and read in its entirety.
Paul Shockley:
"Nearly 400 cases dating back to 2008 in Mesa County will be re-examined in the face of credibility concerns surrounding a former Colorado State Patrol trooper, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said.
Hautzinger’s assessment came after the District Attorney’s Office recently was provided a list of cases involving former trooper Donald Moseman over the past three years, which covers Moseman’s most recent stint working in Mesa County.
Hautzinger said the task of assessing old Moseman cases could take months, adding he may have to hire temporary employees or law school interns to assist with the job.
“My existing staff is already swamped,” he said.
At the DA’s request, the State Patrol compiled a list of all cases in which Moseman was the primary investigating officer or a significant witness. Hautzinger said a cursory review of the list showed everything from speeding infractions to alcohol- or drug-impaired driving arrests, in addition to at least two felony cases involving vehicular eluding and motor vehicle theft. The list was not released.
It does not include the 12 pending criminal cases, mostly DUI arrests in 2011 in which Moseman was the sole witness, that already have been dismissed by Hautzinger’s office over the past three weeks.
Reports were suspect
Moseman’s work became the focus of an internal investigation by the State Patrol after the District Attorney’s Office in October pointed out inconsistencies in Moseman’s case reports.
The State Patrol investigation found Moseman displayed a bias against drivers “who may have consumed alcohol or drugs prior to driving,” State Patrol Maj. Barry Bratt wrote in a letter to Hautzinger dated Dec. 5.
The letter said Moseman has submitted reports that combined information from prior arrests and the new criminal allegations, “resulting in reports which contained wrong or conflicting information.”
Hautzinger and State Patrol leadership have declined to elaborate.
SandBox Comments: Vail Daily News "Vail's growth boosts sales tax revenue'
(See related story here)
One of the major problems privately owned Aspen has, is how far behind they are in building infrastructure.
It's going to really hurt and take a powerful toll now that they've hit the wall and realize that they must change or they will continue to lag behind other major resorts in the region.
Lodging, restaurants, amenities that are aimed at real needs among vacationers. Families, international guests, large events, the arts and sciences.
Lots of work to be done up in Aspen. Of course we support the effort completely, it is simply that there is a very long way to go with the general population not even sure yet whether or not the Skico is listening.
Good article over on the Vail Daily this morning.
"...Rayla Kundolf, director at Masters Gallery in Vail Village, said everyone wants to go to the new hot spots, but once that settles down, she expects all businesses in town to get a more even piece of the overall pie.
“I think it will spread out,” Kundolf said.
She reports that the gallery is about flat with last winter so far, but flat isn't bad when you're talking about a record-breaking December 2010 in terms of overall town sales tax revenues. She thinks people came to town a little later this season and seem to be staying a little later, too.
New hot spots also help existing businesses raise the bar, Kundolf said, which is good for the town as a whole.
“Each business needs to constantly reinvent themselves to keep it fresh, keep it new,” she said.
Growth in the town seems to have peaked — although Vail Resorts is still pushing through its $1 billion Ever Vail application, which would add more commercial space, condominiums and hotel rooms to the west side of Lionshead — and looking back on the strategy, some feel it has worked.
Vail Councilman Greg Moffet, who also owns Tiga Advertising and is on the Vail Economic Advisory Council, said new square footage in town has helped lower rents and allow a more diversified tenant base. A few years ago, places such as candy shops, wine and coffee shops would have had trouble affording space in either village, he said.
“The tenant mix is broadening,” Moffet said. “I think the pie is getting bigger — not getting bigger as fast as overall growth and retail space, but I think it will catch up quickly.”
Moffet said it's hard to analyze economic data from the past 21⁄2 years because the national economy has been so bad. But having a better product mix in town means more people will shop, Moffet said.
“I see it creating opportunity,” he said. “Most of my customers aren't complaining.”
(Lauren Glendenning)
Read more on what's going on in Vail?
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
One of the major problems privately owned Aspen has, is how far behind they are in building infrastructure.
It's going to really hurt and take a powerful toll now that they've hit the wall and realize that they must change or they will continue to lag behind other major resorts in the region.
Lodging, restaurants, amenities that are aimed at real needs among vacationers. Families, international guests, large events, the arts and sciences.
Lots of work to be done up in Aspen. Of course we support the effort completely, it is simply that there is a very long way to go with the general population not even sure yet whether or not the Skico is listening.
Good article over on the Vail Daily this morning.
"...Rayla Kundolf, director at Masters Gallery in Vail Village, said everyone wants to go to the new hot spots, but once that settles down, she expects all businesses in town to get a more even piece of the overall pie.
“I think it will spread out,” Kundolf said.
She reports that the gallery is about flat with last winter so far, but flat isn't bad when you're talking about a record-breaking December 2010 in terms of overall town sales tax revenues. She thinks people came to town a little later this season and seem to be staying a little later, too.
New hot spots also help existing businesses raise the bar, Kundolf said, which is good for the town as a whole.
“Each business needs to constantly reinvent themselves to keep it fresh, keep it new,” she said.
Growth in the town seems to have peaked — although Vail Resorts is still pushing through its $1 billion Ever Vail application, which would add more commercial space, condominiums and hotel rooms to the west side of Lionshead — and looking back on the strategy, some feel it has worked.
Vail Councilman Greg Moffet, who also owns Tiga Advertising and is on the Vail Economic Advisory Council, said new square footage in town has helped lower rents and allow a more diversified tenant base. A few years ago, places such as candy shops, wine and coffee shops would have had trouble affording space in either village, he said.
“The tenant mix is broadening,” Moffet said. “I think the pie is getting bigger — not getting bigger as fast as overall growth and retail space, but I think it will catch up quickly.”
Moffet said it's hard to analyze economic data from the past 21⁄2 years because the national economy has been so bad. But having a better product mix in town means more people will shop, Moffet said.
“I see it creating opportunity,” he said. “Most of my customers aren't complaining.”
(Lauren Glendenning)
Read more on what's going on in Vail?
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Power up the Power of Four"
Very well said. We couldn't agree more.
But, along with changing the way the world views Aspen and the Aspen Skico comes what lies at the core of the real problem.
The Crown Family has made Aspen into a mirror of themselves and their choices in life. We're privately owned and they do what they wish.
When the Aspen Ski Corp. finally cuts the umbilical cord and becomes a real grown-up corporation that is a business in the service oriented industries, then and only then will there be a complete turn for the better. As it stands now, the company is performing well to exactly what it is currently set up to be.
The Power of One.
’Tis the season, so let’s raise a glass to the many good things the Aspen Skiing Co. has accomplished under Jim Crown’s stewardship. Serious steady investment, great people, no layoffs in tough times, and shared values including a love of Aspen, an abiding respect for the environment and delight in sharing it with others.
Yet no matter how well intentioned, it feels like SkiCo is waxing the wrong skis.
Greg Stump captured the Aspen experience brilliantly in the Power of Four.
Unfortunately, the business execution for a number of years now more resembles the power of one — Aspen affluent — in four different locations.....
......Instead of service that supports an experience aimed at each mountain’s natural audience with their own distinct wants and needs, service has been averaged to be more or less the same at all mountains. It’s as if we are pretending to be one huge mountain — like Vail — and in the process missing an equally huge opportunity.
How about showcasing Aspen Mountain with service that creates an experience beyond anything seen in the industry or the other three mountains in the valley? To do that, Aspen must beat Deer Valley, which is unfettered by the level of service offered at neighboring Park City. Bottom line, an Aspen Mountain ski ticket should be the most expensive in America and worth every penny — complete with Ritz levels of style and service, perfectly in keeping with the Aspen name.
The season pass should remain a four-mountain pass. Different daily prices for different mountains can be charged against a prepaid amount on a visitor’s electronic pass.
The Power of Four is the power to mesmerize four distinct audiences while your competitors work at being all things to all people, and important to none.
The mountains are waiting, the people are ready — what’s needed now is a bit of audacity."
Charlie Hughes was the founding CEO of Land Rover in the U.S., supported the 24 Hours of Aspen for years, and co-authored a book on branding titled “Branding Iron.” Charlie and his family first skied on Snowmass in 1989 and have owned a place there since 1993.
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
But, along with changing the way the world views Aspen and the Aspen Skico comes what lies at the core of the real problem.
The Crown Family has made Aspen into a mirror of themselves and their choices in life. We're privately owned and they do what they wish.
When the Aspen Ski Corp. finally cuts the umbilical cord and becomes a real grown-up corporation that is a business in the service oriented industries, then and only then will there be a complete turn for the better. As it stands now, the company is performing well to exactly what it is currently set up to be.
The Power of One.
’Tis the season, so let’s raise a glass to the many good things the Aspen Skiing Co. has accomplished under Jim Crown’s stewardship. Serious steady investment, great people, no layoffs in tough times, and shared values including a love of Aspen, an abiding respect for the environment and delight in sharing it with others.
Yet no matter how well intentioned, it feels like SkiCo is waxing the wrong skis.
Greg Stump captured the Aspen experience brilliantly in the Power of Four.
Unfortunately, the business execution for a number of years now more resembles the power of one — Aspen affluent — in four different locations.....
......Instead of service that supports an experience aimed at each mountain’s natural audience with their own distinct wants and needs, service has been averaged to be more or less the same at all mountains. It’s as if we are pretending to be one huge mountain — like Vail — and in the process missing an equally huge opportunity.
How about showcasing Aspen Mountain with service that creates an experience beyond anything seen in the industry or the other three mountains in the valley? To do that, Aspen must beat Deer Valley, which is unfettered by the level of service offered at neighboring Park City. Bottom line, an Aspen Mountain ski ticket should be the most expensive in America and worth every penny — complete with Ritz levels of style and service, perfectly in keeping with the Aspen name.
The season pass should remain a four-mountain pass. Different daily prices for different mountains can be charged against a prepaid amount on a visitor’s electronic pass.
The Power of Four is the power to mesmerize four distinct audiences while your competitors work at being all things to all people, and important to none.
The mountains are waiting, the people are ready — what’s needed now is a bit of audacity."
Charlie Hughes was the founding CEO of Land Rover in the U.S., supported the 24 Hours of Aspen for years, and co-authored a book on branding titled “Branding Iron.” Charlie and his family first skied on Snowmass in 1989 and have owned a place there since 1993.
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: B&W"
Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — A short selection of images post-processed with the goal of recreating some old Kodak Plus X vibes …"
"SUMMIT COUNTY — A short selection of images post-processed with the goal of recreating some old Kodak Plus X vibes …"
SandBox Comments: Goose Radio "It Was All a Big Mistake!"
They've been flooding in.
Heartwarming stories of how the Goose touched their lives with positive change.
Cries of anguish that his voice will no longer speak to them on their daily commutes or off their streaming news podcasts as they work through the day.
Conservative leaning bloggers, commentators and podcasters reach out to America over the next few days and share their beloved Goose.
This morning, we start off with his classic 'Obama guy' at mid-term elections.
Heartwarming stories of how the Goose touched their lives with positive change.
Cries of anguish that his voice will no longer speak to them on their daily commutes or off their streaming news podcasts as they work through the day.
Conservative leaning bloggers, commentators and podcasters reach out to America over the next few days and share their beloved Goose.
This morning, we start off with his classic 'Obama guy' at mid-term elections.
January 2, 2012
SandBox Comments: Goose Radio "Farewell!"
Who's the King?
Goose Nissley.
We agree.
Long live the King.
Boy, we're sure sorry to see the Goose move on. It's been great.
Right back at ya, Mr. Nissley.
"On October 27th, 2008 GooseRadio swept onto the fruited plain of the intenets. One day later, we posted our first podcast (featuring an Italian opera based on Al Gore’s environmental musings). The site was an endeavor not only to inform and occasionally (hopefully) entertain friends who would stop by (something many other sites have done well) – but further, to provide you with a general sense of well being.
For just a touch over three years we trod a path at times insightful, humorous, and even heart warming via a stellar group of contributors. Blog entries ranged from the presidential horse race to the Minnesota Twins and to a life of faith. The GooseRadio Podcast offered spirited musings featuring friends like Obama Guy, an angry journalist and noted important personages.
There were laughs, there were moments that left you saying… what just happened. It’s truly been real!
Alas – it’s time to say our farewells. Like an aging ball player, we wanted to go out on top.
Thanks a ton for reading, listening and sticking with us through thick, thin, and any additional inconveniences we may have presented you. Here’s hoping you enjoyed yourself just a tiny bit along the way.
I’ll still be blogging a bit on culture and politics with even an occasional podcast over at http://goosenissley.tumblr.com if you’d like to stop by and relive the glory days when you get a hankering.
Until next we meet — may the Lord richly bless you… and may he multiply your descendants like the sands upon the seashore!
Thank you, friends."
Goose Nissley.
We agree.
Long live the King.
Boy, we're sure sorry to see the Goose move on. It's been great.
Right back at ya, Mr. Nissley.
"On October 27th, 2008 GooseRadio swept onto the fruited plain of the intenets. One day later, we posted our first podcast (featuring an Italian opera based on Al Gore’s environmental musings). The site was an endeavor not only to inform and occasionally (hopefully) entertain friends who would stop by (something many other sites have done well) – but further, to provide you with a general sense of well being.
For just a touch over three years we trod a path at times insightful, humorous, and even heart warming via a stellar group of contributors. Blog entries ranged from the presidential horse race to the Minnesota Twins and to a life of faith. The GooseRadio Podcast offered spirited musings featuring friends like Obama Guy, an angry journalist and noted important personages.
There were laughs, there were moments that left you saying… what just happened. It’s truly been real!
Alas – it’s time to say our farewells. Like an aging ball player, we wanted to go out on top.
Thanks a ton for reading, listening and sticking with us through thick, thin, and any additional inconveniences we may have presented you. Here’s hoping you enjoyed yourself just a tiny bit along the way.
I’ll still be blogging a bit on culture and politics with even an occasional podcast over at http://goosenissley.tumblr.com if you’d like to stop by and relive the glory days when you get a hankering.
Until next we meet — may the Lord richly bless you… and may he multiply your descendants like the sands upon the seashore!
Thank you, friends."
SandBox Comments: National Review/Steve King "Amnesty or New Idea?"
(Read article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Intellectual Conservative "Mexico’s Feds Dismantle Local Police Force"
Here's another really big upside to electing Texas Governor Rick Perry and turning him lose with Sheriff Joe Arpaio to secure the borders.
That will not only mean illegal foreign nationals can no longer sneak across into the USA, it also means that Mexico's government must finally deal with their own problems.
We have never seen a President of Mexico who has ever taken control and accountability for their own country into their hands.
To secure the border, seal it up tight and let Mexico implode so that it's forced to clean itself up is the best idea to hit the stump. Ever.
Get our military out of Mexico and bring them home.
"The problem with corruption within Mexican coupled with the political corruption within Attorney General Eric Holder's Justice Department — including harebrained schemes like the Fast & Furious debacle — makes it less likely that the 'war on drugs' will end successfully," said former narcotics detective Glenn Knudsen.
A major police department in Mexico has been completely dismantled by federal police and military forces as part of an anti-corruption plan to help in winning Mexico's de facto war on drugs.
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
That will not only mean illegal foreign nationals can no longer sneak across into the USA, it also means that Mexico's government must finally deal with their own problems.
We have never seen a President of Mexico who has ever taken control and accountability for their own country into their hands.
To secure the border, seal it up tight and let Mexico implode so that it's forced to clean itself up is the best idea to hit the stump. Ever.
Get our military out of Mexico and bring them home.
"The problem with corruption within Mexican coupled with the political corruption within Attorney General Eric Holder's Justice Department — including harebrained schemes like the Fast & Furious debacle — makes it less likely that the 'war on drugs' will end successfully," said former narcotics detective Glenn Knudsen.
A major police department in Mexico has been completely dismantled by federal police and military forces as part of an anti-corruption plan to help in winning Mexico's de facto war on drugs.
More than 900 officers in the State of Veracruz are losing their jobs, while members of the Mexican
Navy are taking over the city's law enforcement function, according to a report from a DEA source.
Police lay-offs come three months after 35 bodies were found dumped on a main road in the municipality, which includes part of Veracruz.
Navy troops backed by federal police officers took control of local police buildings and are patrolling the streets.
Veracruz State Governor Javier Duarte said the decision to disband the force was part of a national program to reform the police, according to the DEA source.
"The problem with corruption within Mexican coupled with the political corruption within Attorney General Eric Holder's Justice Department — including harebrained schemes like the Fast & Furious debacle — make it less likely that the 'war on drugs' will end successfully," said former narcotics detective Glenn Knudsen...."
(Jim Kouri)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "From the Street – 2012"
'by Rumors, Innuendos and Abject Speculation':
"Your Cordillera neighborhood dues are going up.
The Cordillera membership voted last week to (self-inflict) an increase of $1,000.00/yr to the ($2,000/yr) dues they already pay. The reason? The ongoing cost to defend the lawsuit filed against Cordillera by the Wilhelm Family Partnership.
Allegations received by ECT folks suggest that the membership didn’t have a real problem with the additional $1,000.00 because so few of these same folks (allegedly) are NOT going to pay their Cordillera Golf Course annual dues (due in January 2012) because of (what was promised and not delivered) by the WFP last year.
Promised what last year? (Words/emails to the effect – if you pay your annual dues on time and in full) the WFP will open all 4 Cordillera Golf Courses this (2011) Golf Season.
And not Delivered in 2011? All the Cordillera Golf Courses didn’t open last year.
How the WFP intends to cover the annual Golf Course operations cost this year (2012) if very few Golf Course members pay their dues this year is unknown at this writing.
"Your Cordillera neighborhood dues are going up.
The Cordillera membership voted last week to (self-inflict) an increase of $1,000.00/yr to the ($2,000/yr) dues they already pay. The reason? The ongoing cost to defend the lawsuit filed against Cordillera by the Wilhelm Family Partnership.
Allegations received by ECT folks suggest that the membership didn’t have a real problem with the additional $1,000.00 because so few of these same folks (allegedly) are NOT going to pay their Cordillera Golf Course annual dues (due in January 2012) because of (what was promised and not delivered) by the WFP last year.
Promised what last year? (Words/emails to the effect – if you pay your annual dues on time and in full) the WFP will open all 4 Cordillera Golf Courses this (2011) Golf Season.
And not Delivered in 2011? All the Cordillera Golf Courses didn’t open last year.
How the WFP intends to cover the annual Golf Course operations cost this year (2012) if very few Golf Course members pay their dues this year is unknown at this writing.
You’ll recall the Cordillera (counter-claim) lawsuit against the WFP (et al) was given class action status by District Court Judge – Fred Gannett last year (Click Here)...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Colorado Springs Gazette "Rookie prosecutors cut teeth on DUI, misdemeanor cases"
A very interesting look at statistics out of El Paso County from jury commissioner Dennis McKinney.
As of this morning, no DA race for the 4th Judicial District is noted on Colorado Sec. of State 'TRACER'.
As of this morning, no DA race for the 4th Judicial District is noted on Colorado Sec. of State 'TRACER'.
"..The 376 trials is a record but represents just a fraction of the tens of thousands of cases filed in the District Attorney’s Office in Teller and El Paso counties each year, according to statistics available on the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
Most filings end in plea agreements.
But clearly the jump in cases going to trial is proof that May was serious about a tough stand on certain types of cases.
As part of May’s revamped training, new recruits must complete 15 county court trials, a switch from an earlier policy that saw some attorneys advance to District Court after only one or two, the district attorney said.
At the same time, May set a goal to increase the number of trials in county court from about 150 a year to about 200 a year.
Felony trials also rose on May’s watch, according to figures he supplied showing the office hit a record in 2010 with about 165 felony trials and nearly matched it this year, with about 150 trials.
“Those are the two highest totals in the history of this office,” he said.
McKinney and May keep separate tallies of court trials.
The District Attorney’s Office still is compiling figures for the year and hasn’t completed a break down of its prosecutions, May said.
Of the trials in District Court this year, 11 were for first-degree murder, tying the number of first-degree murder trials last year, McKinney said.
The figures show that 26,000 people reported for jury duty this year. Of those, about 12 percent ended up serving on a jury...."
Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/prosecutors-131026-rookie-wanted.html#ixzz1iKGLU6at
Most filings end in plea agreements.
But clearly the jump in cases going to trial is proof that May was serious about a tough stand on certain types of cases.
As part of May’s revamped training, new recruits must complete 15 county court trials, a switch from an earlier policy that saw some attorneys advance to District Court after only one or two, the district attorney said.
At the same time, May set a goal to increase the number of trials in county court from about 150 a year to about 200 a year.
Felony trials also rose on May’s watch, according to figures he supplied showing the office hit a record in 2010 with about 165 felony trials and nearly matched it this year, with about 150 trials.
“Those are the two highest totals in the history of this office,” he said.
McKinney and May keep separate tallies of court trials.
The District Attorney’s Office still is compiling figures for the year and hasn’t completed a break down of its prosecutions, May said.
Of the trials in District Court this year, 11 were for first-degree murder, tying the number of first-degree murder trials last year, McKinney said.
The figures show that 26,000 people reported for jury duty this year. Of those, about 12 percent ended up serving on a jury...."
Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/prosecutors-131026-rookie-wanted.html#ixzz1iKGLU6at
SandBox Comments: Denver 9 News "Slain federal agent was getting dad's cancer meds"
"NEW YORK (AP) - An off-duty federal law enforcement agent who died while confronting a pharmacy robber was picking up his elderly father's cancer medication, a New York congressman said Sunday.
Veteran agent John Capano had chased down the suspect inside the store and was trying to subdue him on the ground when he died, said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. The robber, who was also shot to death, was identified Sunday by police as 43-year-old James McGoey of Hampton Bays.
"John was with him on the ground wrestling," said King, who has spoken with local authorities and Capano's family. "Next thing you know, shots are fired."
McGoey went into Charlie's Family Pharmacy in Seaford, a small shorefront Long Island town, at about 2 p.m. on New Year's Eve, police said. He announced a holdup and was given what he came for: painkillers and money.
Capano, a trained explosives expert who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, confronted McGoey as he tried to leave the store. Meanwhile, an off-duty NYPD officer and a retired Nassau County police officer who happened to be at a deli next door were alerted that someone was trying to rob the pharmacy, King said.
"This is a horrible confluence of events," King said. "They both hear this guy saying there's a robbery going on. They get their guns, they go next door."
It's not clear who shot either man. Capano, 51, died of a gunshot wound at a hospital. He was a 23-year veteran of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who taught U.S. military and local forces in Afghanistan and Iraq how to investigate blasts, said Rory O'Connor, assistant special agent in charge in the ATF's New York office...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Veteran agent John Capano had chased down the suspect inside the store and was trying to subdue him on the ground when he died, said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. The robber, who was also shot to death, was identified Sunday by police as 43-year-old James McGoey of Hampton Bays.
"John was with him on the ground wrestling," said King, who has spoken with local authorities and Capano's family. "Next thing you know, shots are fired."
McGoey went into Charlie's Family Pharmacy in Seaford, a small shorefront Long Island town, at about 2 p.m. on New Year's Eve, police said. He announced a holdup and was given what he came for: painkillers and money.
Capano, a trained explosives expert who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, confronted McGoey as he tried to leave the store. Meanwhile, an off-duty NYPD officer and a retired Nassau County police officer who happened to be at a deli next door were alerted that someone was trying to rob the pharmacy, King said.
"This is a horrible confluence of events," King said. "They both hear this guy saying there's a robbery going on. They get their guns, they go next door."
It's not clear who shot either man. Capano, 51, died of a gunshot wound at a hospital. He was a 23-year veteran of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who taught U.S. military and local forces in Afghanistan and Iraq how to investigate blasts, said Rory O'Connor, assistant special agent in charge in the ATF's New York office...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "County Commissioner’s – 2011 Christmas Gift to Eagle County Taxpayers!"
Coming off their annual vacay at the 'speed of thought', the Eagle County Times blogging crew is rev'd up for the New Year!
Pick up your copy of: "Open Space for Dummies" today!
(lol...Learn how? Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Pick up your copy of: "Open Space for Dummies" today!
(lol...Learn how? Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "Red Sandstone Elementary – The solution is obvious!"
Just as sure as sooner or later, Coloradans can count on it snowing in the winter, the ECT guys take a week off at the end of the year.
They do that just because it gives them the energy boost to roar back come the New Year and take everything they see in front of them in stride.
Still waiting for Superman?
2012 and the next four years will mark apocalyptic proportion, positive changes to the way we fund our public education in America.
Stay tuned to the Eagle County Times crew of bloggers for all the local and regional updates.
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
They do that just because it gives them the energy boost to roar back come the New Year and take everything they see in front of them in stride.
Still waiting for Superman?
2012 and the next four years will mark apocalyptic proportion, positive changes to the way we fund our public education in America.
Stay tuned to the Eagle County Times crew of bloggers for all the local and regional updates.
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Canon City Daily Record "'Over The River' No. 1 story of the year"
"On Nov. 7, "Over The River" reached its most significant milestone since the temporary work of art's vision was conceived on canvas in artist Christo's New York studio in 1992.
After a three-year comprehensive analysis, the Bureau of Land Management announced its Record of Decision this fall, giving federal approval to Christo and the late Jeanne-Claude's original vision to suspend 5.9 miles (3,200,000 square feet) of fabric panels along a 42-mile stretch of the Arkansas River.
Christo, 76, said OTR is the first ever art project to require an Environmental Impact Statement, which normally is reserved for major infrastructures such as bridges, highways, dams and airports.
"This is a historic event, that for the first time in the history of art and the history of the federal government of the United States, a work of art has an Environmental Impact Statement," Christo said during a luncheon with Friends of Over The River and civic and business leaders at the Fremont Center for the Arts earlier this month.
From 1992 to 1994, the artists and their team traveled 14,000 miles in the Rocky Mountains in search of a site for the project. After prospecting 89 rivers in seven states, six possible locations were found. The Arkansas River was selected in 1996.
The project since has been a hot topic in several community meetings and public hearings in Fremont and Chaffee counties. It required a nearly three-year, 1,686 page comprehensive analysis by the BLM, which ultimately identified all potential impacts and more than 100 measures to mitigate traffic, safety, wildlife and other concerns...."
(CARIE CANTERBURY )
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
After a three-year comprehensive analysis, the Bureau of Land Management announced its Record of Decision this fall, giving federal approval to Christo and the late Jeanne-Claude's original vision to suspend 5.9 miles (3,200,000 square feet) of fabric panels along a 42-mile stretch of the Arkansas River.
Christo, 76, said OTR is the first ever art project to require an Environmental Impact Statement, which normally is reserved for major infrastructures such as bridges, highways, dams and airports.
"This is a historic event, that for the first time in the history of art and the history of the federal government of the United States, a work of art has an Environmental Impact Statement," Christo said during a luncheon with Friends of Over The River and civic and business leaders at the Fremont Center for the Arts earlier this month.
From 1992 to 1994, the artists and their team traveled 14,000 miles in the Rocky Mountains in search of a site for the project. After prospecting 89 rivers in seven states, six possible locations were found. The Arkansas River was selected in 1996.
The project since has been a hot topic in several community meetings and public hearings in Fremont and Chaffee counties. It required a nearly three-year, 1,686 page comprehensive analysis by the BLM, which ultimately identified all potential impacts and more than 100 measures to mitigate traffic, safety, wildlife and other concerns...."
(CARIE CANTERBURY )
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "2011: Year in photos, October – December'
(All credit: Bob Berywn)
January 1, 2012
SandBox Comments: Town Hall/Bill O'Reilly "Good Riddance 2011 "
"Bad year, 2011, even though some bad guys and charlatans got a karma blast. Osama bin Laden got it up close and personal from a Navy SEAL, while his cohort al-Awlaki got drilled from the sky. Gadhafi went down, and al-Assad is tottering.
Schwarzenegger, Weiner, Sheen and Cain all got hammered in the court of public opinion. Blagojevich, Bonds and Mubarak were held accountable in actual courts.
Casey Anthony got away with killing her 2-year-old daughter. Amanda Knox finally beat the rap in Italy. And Kim Kardashian continued to be the poster girl for narcissism.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, by all accounts a stellar human being, survived a brutal gun attack, but more than 20,000 Japanese did not survive the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country in March.
But things like those listed above happen every year. The primary reason that 2011 is not a year to remember is focused around one thing: The folks continue to get a bad deal..."
(Bill O'Reilly)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Schwarzenegger, Weiner, Sheen and Cain all got hammered in the court of public opinion. Blagojevich, Bonds and Mubarak were held accountable in actual courts.
Casey Anthony got away with killing her 2-year-old daughter. Amanda Knox finally beat the rap in Italy. And Kim Kardashian continued to be the poster girl for narcissism.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, by all accounts a stellar human being, survived a brutal gun attack, but more than 20,000 Japanese did not survive the earthquake and tsunami that hit the country in March.
But things like those listed above happen every year. The primary reason that 2011 is not a year to remember is focused around one thing: The folks continue to get a bad deal..."
(Bill O'Reilly)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Pair held in 5-day shooting spree"
SandBox is just at a loss for words on this story out of Grand Junction.
'SandBox Nanny' keeps feeling a sense of what law enforcement has got to be feeling over this one.
You are so appreciated. Thanks so much for your service. A very special thank you here in Garfield County to Garfield County Sheriff and their TAG program.
Stay the course.
Grand Junction Sentinel:
"..According to the affidavit, other events that occurred during the shooting spree include:
Plotner admitting he fired through a home’s second-story window, while Kintz drove. No one was injured, but one of the people in the home, Jered Sawyer, told investigators the shooting may have been in retaliation for gang-related violence. Sawyer told police he had stabbed one of Kintz’s friends during a dispute a couple years ago, and Sawyer had been charged with smashing out the windows of a car of another friend of Kintz.
Sawyer said he is part of the Nortenos gang, and Kintz and his friends are part of a rival gang, the Surenos.
Sawyer also told police Kintz, whom he said is known as “Wedito” on the street, published a song on MySpace that threatened to kill Sawyer.
“Aaron described feeling anger and rage at times and wanting to kill people. He said he told Darian that if he had anyone he needed taken care of, Aaron would do it. Darian talked of past issues with Jered (Sawyer) and showed Aaron, Jered Sawyer’s home.”
On the night of Dec. 27, Plotner shot through the windshield of a parked car outside of Sawyer’s home, but the men didn’t know if it was Sawyer’s vehicle. The following day, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the men returned to the home, 458 Mesa Lake Drive.
“On this occasion Aaron sat in the back seat on the driver side so he could shoot in the direction of Jered’s home. Aaron admitted shooting at the window of the upper level of the home, but did not see anyone.
When asked if he would have felt bad for hitting an occupant, even a 4-year-old that was home, Aaron said he would not have cared and indicated he was hoping to hit someone inside....”
(Read more, click title. Comment to discuss)
'SandBox Nanny' keeps feeling a sense of what law enforcement has got to be feeling over this one.
You are so appreciated. Thanks so much for your service. A very special thank you here in Garfield County to Garfield County Sheriff and their TAG program.
Stay the course.
Grand Junction Sentinel:
"..According to the affidavit, other events that occurred during the shooting spree include:
Plotner admitting he fired through a home’s second-story window, while Kintz drove. No one was injured, but one of the people in the home, Jered Sawyer, told investigators the shooting may have been in retaliation for gang-related violence. Sawyer told police he had stabbed one of Kintz’s friends during a dispute a couple years ago, and Sawyer had been charged with smashing out the windows of a car of another friend of Kintz.
Sawyer said he is part of the Nortenos gang, and Kintz and his friends are part of a rival gang, the Surenos.
Sawyer also told police Kintz, whom he said is known as “Wedito” on the street, published a song on MySpace that threatened to kill Sawyer.
“Aaron described feeling anger and rage at times and wanting to kill people. He said he told Darian that if he had anyone he needed taken care of, Aaron would do it. Darian talked of past issues with Jered (Sawyer) and showed Aaron, Jered Sawyer’s home.”
On the night of Dec. 27, Plotner shot through the windshield of a parked car outside of Sawyer’s home, but the men didn’t know if it was Sawyer’s vehicle. The following day, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the men returned to the home, 458 Mesa Lake Drive.
“On this occasion Aaron sat in the back seat on the driver side so he could shoot in the direction of Jered’s home. Aaron admitted shooting at the window of the upper level of the home, but did not see anyone.
When asked if he would have felt bad for hitting an occupant, even a 4-year-old that was home, Aaron said he would not have cared and indicated he was hoping to hit someone inside....”
(Read more, click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Velez shaping police force"
Happy New Year to the Pueblo Police Dept. These guys have had such a rough time reshaping their PD. Yet, still managing to grow and keep up with making record-breaking drug busts.
Thank you for all your hard work and your service. You are appreciated. (Those K-9's too...)
(Pueblo Chieftain)
"Change knows no stranger, and in the last year it's been ever-present at the Pueblo Police Department.
Friday is the six-month anniversary of July 6 and the naming of Luis Velez as Pueblo police chief. He became interim chief nearly a year ago — on Feb. 16,the day after longtime police Chief Jim Billings retired...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Thank you for all your hard work and your service. You are appreciated. (Those K-9's too...)
(Pueblo Chieftain)
"Change knows no stranger, and in the last year it's been ever-present at the Pueblo Police Department.
Friday is the six-month anniversary of July 6 and the naming of Luis Velez as Pueblo police chief. He became interim chief nearly a year ago — on Feb. 16,the day after longtime police Chief Jim Billings retired...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Coloradoan "They're called BATH SALTS and they're deceptively lethal"
Robert Allen:
"Shopping for bath salts
Aside from the Internet, smoke shops are the primary sources for bath salt substances. However, when contacted for comment, people who answered the phone at seven local shops told a Coloradoan reporter they don’t sell the product.
“The people it draws in are sketchy business,” said Morgan Lindskot, manager of One Love in Loveland. “They just gave me a very weird vibe.”
Lindskot said her store quit carrying the substances about eight months ago, and people had tried to trade gold and “weird things” for bath salts.
Kelsey Trybushyn, manager at Rock ‘N’ Robin’s in Fort Collins, said her store also quit selling bath salts because of “sketchy” clientele.
“I’m not a big fan of them,” she said. “It’s definitely not a good thing to have on the market.”
WHAT ARE BATH SALTS?
"The presumption is that most bath salts are MDPV, or methylenedioxypyrovalerone, although newer pyrovalerone derivatives are being made by illegal street chemists. Nobody really knows, because there is no way to test for these substances."
Why are they called bath salts?
"It's confusing. Is this what we put in our bathtubs, like Epsom salts? No. But by marketing them as bath salts and labeling them 'not for human consumption,' they have been able to avoid them being specifically enumerated as illegal."
What do you experience when you take bath salts?
"Agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, chest pain, suicidality.
It’s a very scary stimulant that is out there. We get high blood pressure and increased pulse, but there’s something more, something different that’s causing these other extreme effects.
But right now, there’s no test to pick up this drug. The only way we know if someone has taken them is if they tell you they have.”
Source: www.webmd.com Q&A with Zane Horowitz, emergency room physician with Oregon Poison Center
(Read the article? Find out more about this deadly drug? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Shopping for bath salts
Aside from the Internet, smoke shops are the primary sources for bath salt substances. However, when contacted for comment, people who answered the phone at seven local shops told a Coloradoan reporter they don’t sell the product.
“The people it draws in are sketchy business,” said Morgan Lindskot, manager of One Love in Loveland. “They just gave me a very weird vibe.”
Lindskot said her store quit carrying the substances about eight months ago, and people had tried to trade gold and “weird things” for bath salts.
Kelsey Trybushyn, manager at Rock ‘N’ Robin’s in Fort Collins, said her store also quit selling bath salts because of “sketchy” clientele.
“I’m not a big fan of them,” she said. “It’s definitely not a good thing to have on the market.”
WHAT ARE BATH SALTS?
"The presumption is that most bath salts are MDPV, or methylenedioxypyrovalerone, although newer pyrovalerone derivatives are being made by illegal street chemists. Nobody really knows, because there is no way to test for these substances."
Why are they called bath salts?
"It's confusing. Is this what we put in our bathtubs, like Epsom salts? No. But by marketing them as bath salts and labeling them 'not for human consumption,' they have been able to avoid them being specifically enumerated as illegal."
What do you experience when you take bath salts?
"Agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, chest pain, suicidality.
It’s a very scary stimulant that is out there. We get high blood pressure and increased pulse, but there’s something more, something different that’s causing these other extreme effects.
But right now, there’s no test to pick up this drug. The only way we know if someone has taken them is if they tell you they have.”
Source: www.webmd.com Q&A with Zane Horowitz, emergency room physician with Oregon Poison Center
(Read the article? Find out more about this deadly drug? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake's 2012 Cosmic Calendar of Celestial Events"
It's here!
Every year, we wait for Jimmy Westlake's cosmic calendar of Celestial Events to be posted on the Boat.
Still haven't picked up one of Westlake's annual calendars, complete with incredible photography?
Better change that...
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Every year, we wait for Jimmy Westlake's cosmic calendar of Celestial Events to be posted on the Boat.
Still haven't picked up one of Westlake's annual calendars, complete with incredible photography?
Better change that...
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
December 31, 2011
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Our View: Reasons for optimism"
"It’s been another difficult year for many who call Routt County home. But as our community readies to close the books on 2011, there are reasons for optimism that 2012 will be a better year for us all...."
(Editorial Board, Steamboat Today)
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(Editorial Board, Steamboat Today)
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December 30, 2011
SandBox Comments: U.S. Dept of Defense "Family Matters Blog: Top 10 Military Family Moments of 2011"
"WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2011 – It’s that time of year when top 10 lists seem to proliferate across nearly every web and news page in the nation, proclaiming everything from the best movies and TV shows to the most memorable photos and celebrities of the year.
Since I find it tough to encapsulate a year’s worth of information into a tidy list, I typically steer away from the concept. However, this was such a momentous year for military families that I decided it was time to hop on the list-making bandwagon.
So, here’s my top 10 most memorable military family moments of 2011. It’s certainly not all-inclusive, but I’m hoping it at least hits the highlights.
10. JR Martinez – Warrior Inspiration. This Army veteran and wounded warrior danced his way to the top spot on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” -- and inspired a nation with his strength and resilience along the way. In 2003, Martinez was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, suffering severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He went on to share his story with audiences nationwide. In 2008, he landed a role as an Iraq war veteran on the ABC soap opera, “All My Children,” which led to his “Dancing with the Stars” appearances this year.
“I have been able to be a role model and a voice for a lot of [troops] who don’t feel that they have a voice for themselves,” Martinez said during a Pentagon Channel interview. “I’ve been able to be a source of inspiration to the families as well, to say good things do happen and you’ve just got to be patient and have a great attitude.”
Martinez recently scored another big win: he and his girlfriend, Diana Gonzalez-Jones, are expecting their first child, a girl, in the spring.
9. The Office of Servicemember Affairs opened for business...."
(Elaine Sanchez)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Since I find it tough to encapsulate a year’s worth of information into a tidy list, I typically steer away from the concept. However, this was such a momentous year for military families that I decided it was time to hop on the list-making bandwagon.
So, here’s my top 10 most memorable military family moments of 2011. It’s certainly not all-inclusive, but I’m hoping it at least hits the highlights.
10. JR Martinez – Warrior Inspiration. This Army veteran and wounded warrior danced his way to the top spot on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” -- and inspired a nation with his strength and resilience along the way. In 2003, Martinez was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, suffering severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He went on to share his story with audiences nationwide. In 2008, he landed a role as an Iraq war veteran on the ABC soap opera, “All My Children,” which led to his “Dancing with the Stars” appearances this year.
“I have been able to be a role model and a voice for a lot of [troops] who don’t feel that they have a voice for themselves,” Martinez said during a Pentagon Channel interview. “I’ve been able to be a source of inspiration to the families as well, to say good things do happen and you’ve just got to be patient and have a great attitude.”
Martinez recently scored another big win: he and his girlfriend, Diana Gonzalez-Jones, are expecting their first child, a girl, in the spring.
9. The Office of Servicemember Affairs opened for business...."
(Elaine Sanchez)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: U.S. Dept. of Defense "Defense.gov Names Top Stories of 2011"
SandBoxBlogs sends out a special thank you to the DOD for not giving bin Laden's death a higher ranking than last place.
Thank you to all our military men and women of service. You are so valued and appreciated.
"WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2011 – American Forces Press Service published nearly 2,500 articles in 2011, covering topics ranging from the end of the Iraq mission to defense budget pressures and troop concerns over retirement benefits.
The top 10 stories most viewed on Defense.gov this year are:
10. “U.S. Kills bin Laden in Intelligence-driven Operation,” posted May 2, focuses on President Barack Obama’s remarks to the nation the day after an American counterintelligence and counterterrorism team killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan...."
(Karen Parrish)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Thank you to all our military men and women of service. You are so valued and appreciated.
"WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2011 – American Forces Press Service published nearly 2,500 articles in 2011, covering topics ranging from the end of the Iraq mission to defense budget pressures and troop concerns over retirement benefits.
The top 10 stories most viewed on Defense.gov this year are:
10. “U.S. Kills bin Laden in Intelligence-driven Operation,” posted May 2, focuses on President Barack Obama’s remarks to the nation the day after an American counterintelligence and counterterrorism team killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan...."
(Karen Parrish)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Pitkin County to review thinking on medicinal pot"
Just imagine.
If the medical marijuana industry in the State of Colorado has as much to fear as they do from the undeniably strongest Democrat we have ever had in President Barack Obama.
Just imagine.
What's going to happen, how fast and hard when that crackdown from the Feds is being handled by a conservative administration?
“The statute's pretty clear: The local authority wherever a medical marijuana business is operating must provide us with some approval — that they're OK with medical marijuana being cultivated, used in infused products or sold within their jurisdiction,” she said.
Without an approval for each specific business, the state will deny an application for a state license, she said.
That potential ramification — ending a business's ability to operate — prompts the commissioners' call for a full briefing on the issues, according to Commissioner Rachel Richards, who chairs the board.
“I don't think it was the county's intent — that that occur by default,” she said.
Though the Jan. 17 meeting is not a formal public hearing, Richards said she'd like to accommodate feedback from affected business operators during the discussion.
The topic has been dormant since spring, when the county drafted detailed regulations for the medical marijuana industry. Commissioners ultimately shelved them in June, however, after Ely pointed out that dealing in medical marijuana remains a violation of federal law even though it's permitted in Colorado. Asking county employees to issue licenses to marijuana businesses and enforce zoning laws related to medical marijuana puts them in a position of potential criminal liability, he said at the time..."
(Janet Urquhart)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
If the medical marijuana industry in the State of Colorado has as much to fear as they do from the undeniably strongest Democrat we have ever had in President Barack Obama.
Just imagine.
What's going to happen, how fast and hard when that crackdown from the Feds is being handled by a conservative administration?
“The statute's pretty clear: The local authority wherever a medical marijuana business is operating must provide us with some approval — that they're OK with medical marijuana being cultivated, used in infused products or sold within their jurisdiction,” she said.
Without an approval for each specific business, the state will deny an application for a state license, she said.
That potential ramification — ending a business's ability to operate — prompts the commissioners' call for a full briefing on the issues, according to Commissioner Rachel Richards, who chairs the board.
“I don't think it was the county's intent — that that occur by default,” she said.
Though the Jan. 17 meeting is not a formal public hearing, Richards said she'd like to accommodate feedback from affected business operators during the discussion.
The topic has been dormant since spring, when the county drafted detailed regulations for the medical marijuana industry. Commissioners ultimately shelved them in June, however, after Ely pointed out that dealing in medical marijuana remains a violation of federal law even though it's permitted in Colorado. Asking county employees to issue licenses to marijuana businesses and enforce zoning laws related to medical marijuana puts them in a position of potential criminal liability, he said at the time..."
(Janet Urquhart)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Snow base at Powderhorn beats most other major Colo. ski resorts"
Congratulations to former Vail Resorts CEO Andy Daly and his partners at Powderhorn Mountain Resort on their new venture!
They have more snow base than some of the big guys do this year.
Here's to the little guy.
Amy Hamilton:
"While many of the state’s central mountain resorts are making snow and scraping by with less snowfall than they’d like, Grand Junction’s backyard ski resort, Powderhorn Mountain Resort, is experiencing a relatively good start to the skiing season.
“We have noticed people who are from this area who would normally go to Crested Butte or Aspen; we have them skiing here,” Powderhorn spokeswoman Tricia Tittle said.
Powderhorn reported a 32-inch base Thursday, which is tied with Eldora Mountain Resort for the fifth-thickest base at a ski resort in Colorado. Purgatory Ski Area reported a 34-inch base, Echo Mountain had a 40-inch base, Silverton Mountain boasted a 47-inch base, and Wolf Creek Ski Area remains the snowiest resort with a 53-inch base, according to Colorado Ski Country USA.
Many skiers and snow lovers may be reminiscing about the early, heavy snowfall of 2010 that opened resorts with a swoosh.
Even this year, Aspen-Snowmass opened five days early thanks to a good dumping of snow, but the base at Aspen Mountain since has withered to 19 inches as of Thursday. Aspen Highlands reported a 22-inch base....."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
They have more snow base than some of the big guys do this year.
Here's to the little guy.
Amy Hamilton:
"While many of the state’s central mountain resorts are making snow and scraping by with less snowfall than they’d like, Grand Junction’s backyard ski resort, Powderhorn Mountain Resort, is experiencing a relatively good start to the skiing season.
“We have noticed people who are from this area who would normally go to Crested Butte or Aspen; we have them skiing here,” Powderhorn spokeswoman Tricia Tittle said.
Powderhorn reported a 32-inch base Thursday, which is tied with Eldora Mountain Resort for the fifth-thickest base at a ski resort in Colorado. Purgatory Ski Area reported a 34-inch base, Echo Mountain had a 40-inch base, Silverton Mountain boasted a 47-inch base, and Wolf Creek Ski Area remains the snowiest resort with a 53-inch base, according to Colorado Ski Country USA.
Many skiers and snow lovers may be reminiscing about the early, heavy snowfall of 2010 that opened resorts with a swoosh.
Even this year, Aspen-Snowmass opened five days early thanks to a good dumping of snow, but the base at Aspen Mountain since has withered to 19 inches as of Thursday. Aspen Highlands reported a 22-inch base....."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Vail Daily News "Vail's single-day, walk-up lift ticket hits $116"
And this news just might be the final blow 'slam dunk' that Vail Resorts aka RockResorts deals to rivals Aspen Ski Corp.
Be bolder.
That's the marketing creed of Vail, Colorado.
Historically, the privately owned resort of Aspen, Colorado has held to the presentation of more luxurious amenities, unique experience, uncrowded by design. With the highest price point in the nation as a statement of worth.
Vail decided to focus on luxurious amenities and a lot of them, unique experiences including year-round and international and crowded by popularity. A few years back increasing the focus to building a lot more infrastructure and focusing on bringing in permanent draws rather than events and gimmicks. They then moved forward once all that was in place and did 'the unthinkable'.
They snubbed Aspen with their 'Be Bolder' marketing plan. Had the audacity to raise their price points higher.
It was a bold move that worked. Vail is now attractive to family venues, variety of offerings within lifestyle and varied age groups. And the infrastructure cannot be beat. $30 million + profit last year with 2011-2012 season headed higher than that. This year alone, Vail will put out over $90 million in infrastructure upgrades, according to this article in the Vail Daily.
Aspen is our home and how we earn our living, most of us. The most beautiful resort in the world and some of the finest service and amenities. Locals love Aspen.
We simply wish the privately held Aspen were better business people. We do have to make a living wage or even just make some kind of living so that we can stay here.
Congratulations to Vail Resorts for having crowded ski slopes because they excel at man-made snow. Smart regional locals will refuse to pay this way too high price tag by purchasing seasonal and early.
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Be bolder.
That's the marketing creed of Vail, Colorado.
Historically, the privately owned resort of Aspen, Colorado has held to the presentation of more luxurious amenities, unique experience, uncrowded by design. With the highest price point in the nation as a statement of worth.
Vail decided to focus on luxurious amenities and a lot of them, unique experiences including year-round and international and crowded by popularity. A few years back increasing the focus to building a lot more infrastructure and focusing on bringing in permanent draws rather than events and gimmicks. They then moved forward once all that was in place and did 'the unthinkable'.
They snubbed Aspen with their 'Be Bolder' marketing plan. Had the audacity to raise their price points higher.
It was a bold move that worked. Vail is now attractive to family venues, variety of offerings within lifestyle and varied age groups. And the infrastructure cannot be beat. $30 million + profit last year with 2011-2012 season headed higher than that. This year alone, Vail will put out over $90 million in infrastructure upgrades, according to this article in the Vail Daily.
Aspen is our home and how we earn our living, most of us. The most beautiful resort in the world and some of the finest service and amenities. Locals love Aspen.
We simply wish the privately held Aspen were better business people. We do have to make a living wage or even just make some kind of living so that we can stay here.
Congratulations to Vail Resorts for having crowded ski slopes because they excel at man-made snow. Smart regional locals will refuse to pay this way too high price tag by purchasing seasonal and early.
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: SkyHi Daily "Slideshow: The Year in Pictures"
Two of the best that there is.
The trouble with one of them is that we only get to see his compilation of yearly fav's....once a year.
How about on a quarterly basis, Mr. Hetzler? And...is the SkyHi Daily or yourself selling this incredible work of yours? If not, you should be.
Colorado media has two of the best there is when it comes to professional photographers in small media outlets and independent media outlets.
Bob Berwyn up and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice and Byron Hetzler, way up, over and across on the SkyHi Daily.
Click title to see 2011 through the eyes of Byron Hetzler.
The trouble with one of them is that we only get to see his compilation of yearly fav's....once a year.
How about on a quarterly basis, Mr. Hetzler? And...is the SkyHi Daily or yourself selling this incredible work of yours? If not, you should be.
Colorado media has two of the best there is when it comes to professional photographers in small media outlets and independent media outlets.
Bob Berwyn up and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice and Byron Hetzler, way up, over and across on the SkyHi Daily.
Click title to see 2011 through the eyes of Byron Hetzler.
December 29, 2011
SandBox Comments: Dept of Defense/Face of Defense "Face of Defense: Deployed Sailor Leads Team in Afghanistan"
FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2011 – When Kimberly Ryan stepped into the Navy recruiter’s office at age 18, she had no idea what she wanted to do. All she knew was she wanted to get out of Connecticut and broaden her horizon.
“The recruiter said, ‘Do you want to be a corpsman like me?’, and I said, ‘Sure!’” recalled now-Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan, a Norwich, Conn., native. “I ended up loving it.”
Seven years later, after serving overseas in Sasebo, Japan, Ryan now serves as the team leader for Female Engagement Team 8 in the Sangin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
When she stepped up and accepted the team-leader challenge, Ryan thought she would be the equivalent of a female infantryman during her first deployment, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“[The team] is actually completely different,” she noted. “The female engagement team is all about counterinsurgency, and I actually like what it ended up not being.”
Ryan’s day-to-day activities vary depending on the mission and support requirements. The team works in direct support of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, assigned to Regimental Combat Team 8 in 2nd Marine Division (Forward).
Each week, however, Ryan and her fellow team member, Marine Corps Cpl. Brandy Bates, work together with Afghan National Security Forces to plan and host a children’s meeting for local children in the Sangin district in southwestern Afghanistan...."
(Marine Corps Cpl. Meredith Brown)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
“The recruiter said, ‘Do you want to be a corpsman like me?’, and I said, ‘Sure!’” recalled now-Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan, a Norwich, Conn., native. “I ended up loving it.”
Seven years later, after serving overseas in Sasebo, Japan, Ryan now serves as the team leader for Female Engagement Team 8 in the Sangin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
When she stepped up and accepted the team-leader challenge, Ryan thought she would be the equivalent of a female infantryman during her first deployment, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“[The team] is actually completely different,” she noted. “The female engagement team is all about counterinsurgency, and I actually like what it ended up not being.”
Ryan’s day-to-day activities vary depending on the mission and support requirements. The team works in direct support of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, assigned to Regimental Combat Team 8 in 2nd Marine Division (Forward).
Each week, however, Ryan and her fellow team member, Marine Corps Cpl. Brandy Bates, work together with Afghan National Security Forces to plan and host a children’s meeting for local children in the Sangin district in southwestern Afghanistan...."
(Marine Corps Cpl. Meredith Brown)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Dept. of Homeland Security "DHS Announces "If You See Something, Say Something™" Campaign Partnership with the National Hockey League"
"WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new partnership between DHS' "If You See Something, Say Something™" public awareness campaign and the National Hockey League (NHL) - highlighting the Department's continued partnership with the sports industry to ensure the safety and security of employees, players and fans.
"Every citizen plays a critical role in identifying and reporting suspicious activities and threats," said Secretary Napolitano. "By expanding the 'If You See Something, Say Something™' campaign to the NHL, we are working together to ensure the safety and security of employees, players, and fans..."
(DHS Press Release)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Every citizen plays a critical role in identifying and reporting suspicious activities and threats," said Secretary Napolitano. "By expanding the 'If You See Something, Say Something™' campaign to the NHL, we are working together to ensure the safety and security of employees, players, and fans..."
(DHS Press Release)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: KREX News 5 "Marijuana-Impaired Driving Rises in Colorado"
"Mesa County - A recent study conducted by the Institute for Behavior and Health says over the past five years, the number of drivers who tested positive for drugs, including marijuana, has increased.
"We're seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people that we are contacting and arresting for driving under the influence of marijuana," says Deputy Ben Carnes of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office.
Research shows that those who get behind the wheel within three hours of using marijuana are more than twice as likely to get in an accident.
"It severely impairs somebody's ability to multitask, it has a time distortion effect, it dilates your pupils and impairs your vision," says Carnes..."
(Cori Coffin)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"We're seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people that we are contacting and arresting for driving under the influence of marijuana," says Deputy Ben Carnes of the Mesa County Sheriff's Office.
Research shows that those who get behind the wheel within three hours of using marijuana are more than twice as likely to get in an accident.
"It severely impairs somebody's ability to multitask, it has a time distortion effect, it dilates your pupils and impairs your vision," says Carnes..."
(Cori Coffin)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Marijuana plantations threaten national forest resources"
This is very scary. Fairly widely known that Colorado has these operations in our forests. Not so widely known that many of them are tied to the recently exposed infiltration of Mexican drug cartels.
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Outlaw marijuana growers on national forest lands are polluting streams, killing native vegetation and leaving behind trash and dangerous debris that’s difficult and expensive to clean up, the agency’s top law enforcement official said in early December at a U.S. Senate hearing.
“The illegal cultivation of marijuana on our National Forest System is a clear and present danger to the public and the environment,” said U.S. Forest Service law enforcement director David Ferrell, testifying before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
Ferrell detailed the impacts from sites in in 20 states on 67 national forests across the country, including California, where the Forest Service completed cleanup and restoration on 335 sites, removing more than 130 tons of trash, 300 pounds of pesticides, five tons of fertilizer and nearly 260 miles of irrigation piping.
“Many marijuana sites found on national forests are under cultivation by drug trafficking organizations that are sophisticated and include armed guards, counter-surveillance methods, logistics support and state-of-the-art growing practices,” he said. “It is incumbent on the agency to do what is necessary to ensure that the resources we manage are protected and visitors as well as employees are safe....”
(Bob Berwyn)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Outlaw marijuana growers on national forest lands are polluting streams, killing native vegetation and leaving behind trash and dangerous debris that’s difficult and expensive to clean up, the agency’s top law enforcement official said in early December at a U.S. Senate hearing.
“The illegal cultivation of marijuana on our National Forest System is a clear and present danger to the public and the environment,” said U.S. Forest Service law enforcement director David Ferrell, testifying before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
Ferrell detailed the impacts from sites in in 20 states on 67 national forests across the country, including California, where the Forest Service completed cleanup and restoration on 335 sites, removing more than 130 tons of trash, 300 pounds of pesticides, five tons of fertilizer and nearly 260 miles of irrigation piping.
“Many marijuana sites found on national forests are under cultivation by drug trafficking organizations that are sophisticated and include armed guards, counter-surveillance methods, logistics support and state-of-the-art growing practices,” he said. “It is incumbent on the agency to do what is necessary to ensure that the resources we manage are protected and visitors as well as employees are safe....”
(Bob Berwyn)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Police arrest alleged Ecstasy buyer"
(See related story and comments here)
This is the guy, Michael Dufresne, 30, of Woody Creek, who was trying to buy the "Molly" off Max Brandon Puder, age 18 outside of Aspen nightclub 'Belly Up' the other night.
The one who ran away.
"....He was arrested Tuesday night at his Woody Creek home after a series of serendipitous circumstances led authorities to him, according to police.
Aspen police officer Adam Loudon on Monday night reviewed surveillance tape from the Belly Up Aspen, outside of which the alleged drug transaction took place.
Loudon retrieved photographs of the man he recognized as the suspect who ran away from him when police observed the drug transaction on the stairs outside Belly Up.
He returned to the police station and showed the photos to Pitkin County Sheriff Deputy Parker Lathrop. Fifteen minutes later, a 911 hang-up call came into the communications center from a Woody Creek residence, to which Lathrop responded.
When Dufresne opened the door, the deputy recognized him as the suspect in the photos, which showed distinctive tattoos on his right forearm, according to police. Dufresne was shirtless and his tattoos were visible to Lathrop.
Once identified as the suspect, Loudon wrote a warrant for Dufresne’s arrest and had it signed by a judge Tuesday.
Dufresne is being held in Pitkin County Jail on a $10,000 bond, which was upped from the original $8,000. The increase was approved by Chief Judge James Boyd of Pitkin County District Court on Wednesday, said Aspen prosecutor Arnold Mordkin.
Mordkin said he plans to file an additional charge of assault on a police officer because when Dufresne allegedly ran from police, he already had one handcuff placed on his wrist and violently pulled it away.
When confronted by officers, Dufresne allegedly held up a baggie of a white powdery substance and gave what turned out to be Ecstasy to police before he successfully ran away...."
(sack@aspendailynews.com)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
This is the guy, Michael Dufresne, 30, of Woody Creek, who was trying to buy the "Molly" off Max Brandon Puder, age 18 outside of Aspen nightclub 'Belly Up' the other night.
The one who ran away.
"....He was arrested Tuesday night at his Woody Creek home after a series of serendipitous circumstances led authorities to him, according to police.
Aspen police officer Adam Loudon on Monday night reviewed surveillance tape from the Belly Up Aspen, outside of which the alleged drug transaction took place.
Loudon retrieved photographs of the man he recognized as the suspect who ran away from him when police observed the drug transaction on the stairs outside Belly Up.
He returned to the police station and showed the photos to Pitkin County Sheriff Deputy Parker Lathrop. Fifteen minutes later, a 911 hang-up call came into the communications center from a Woody Creek residence, to which Lathrop responded.
When Dufresne opened the door, the deputy recognized him as the suspect in the photos, which showed distinctive tattoos on his right forearm, according to police. Dufresne was shirtless and his tattoos were visible to Lathrop.
Once identified as the suspect, Loudon wrote a warrant for Dufresne’s arrest and had it signed by a judge Tuesday.
Dufresne is being held in Pitkin County Jail on a $10,000 bond, which was upped from the original $8,000. The increase was approved by Chief Judge James Boyd of Pitkin County District Court on Wednesday, said Aspen prosecutor Arnold Mordkin.
Mordkin said he plans to file an additional charge of assault on a police officer because when Dufresne allegedly ran from police, he already had one handcuff placed on his wrist and violently pulled it away.
When confronted by officers, Dufresne allegedly held up a baggie of a white powdery substance and gave what turned out to be Ecstasy to police before he successfully ran away...."
(sack@aspendailynews.com)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "Loomis the dog rescued after falling through ice "
Thank you to our Grand Junction Fire and Rescue team, 'Loomis' isn't the only one who appreciates you.
"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - A Grand Junction man experienced some tense moments after his beloved dog Loomis fell through the ice at the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife pond near Rimrock.
It happened just before 4:00 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
Tor Larson was hanging out at the pond with his dog Loomis, when the retriever mix ran onto the iced-over pond and fell into the water...."
(Andrew Reid)
(Read more? Meet Loomis? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Mountain Valley News "Is it complete incompetence or outright lying? - 12/28/11 "
Mountain Valley News:
"Because we feel so strongly about the entire constitution and because we have very personal reasons to believe that the Second Amendment is squarely in the sights of those who want to weaken that great document, we have tried to monitor what is going on with the so-called hearings regarding “Fast and Furious.”
In a nutshell, the Fast and Furious operation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was supposed to be a sting operation involving the shipping of guns to Mexico. It was conducted completely outside the normal law enforcement undercover operations procedures.
First, we have a real problem with the three people who should have been aware of this operation telling us (the people) that they did not know about it until early this year. Attorney General Eric Holder, President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are at best incompetent, and at worst, outright liars. Either way, the public has a right to better inquiries into this fiasco...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Washington Examiner "Fast & Furious AG laments cop deaths, illegal guns"
SandBox agrees with Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Any AG that did not know about Fast and Furious should resign on the spot or be fired.
This kind of statement tin this article, from Attorney General Holder, was near nauseating the first time he gave a speech like this.
Hearing them repeated as more has come to light, including the fact that he has not even bothered to pick up the phone to the family of the agents we have lost is heart wrenching it is so out of line.
To hear him continue that path of denial and self-justification as he heads toward Congress winding down their investigation is infuriating.
Fire, impeach or better yet save the folks the money and have him resign immediately.
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Any AG that did not know about Fast and Furious should resign on the spot or be fired.
This kind of statement tin this article, from Attorney General Holder, was near nauseating the first time he gave a speech like this.
Hearing them repeated as more has come to light, including the fact that he has not even bothered to pick up the phone to the family of the agents we have lost is heart wrenching it is so out of line.
To hear him continue that path of denial and self-justification as he heads toward Congress winding down their investigation is infuriating.
Fire, impeach or better yet save the folks the money and have him resign immediately.
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News "Writers on the Range: A forest management structure that can't cope"
"When my East Coast-based parents came to Breckenridge, Colo., for our family vacation in June this year, my dad couldn't stop exclaiming over the dead trees. Scores of rust-colored lodgepole pines, killed by the bark beetle epidemic, lined pretty much every road we drove down or bike path we pedaled on.
My father, who attended college on a scholarship for pulp and paper mill technology, wondered why the trees weren't being logged and used. One answer is that most of Colorado's lumber mills have been shut down for a long time. But the inability to deal with dead trees is just one in a line of management obstacles facing agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, as it struggles to cope with forest management in this age of disturbance...."
(Stephanie Paige Ogburn)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
My father, who attended college on a scholarship for pulp and paper mill technology, wondered why the trees weren't being logged and used. One answer is that most of Colorado's lumber mills have been shut down for a long time. But the inability to deal with dead trees is just one in a line of management obstacles facing agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, as it struggles to cope with forest management in this age of disturbance...."
(Stephanie Paige Ogburn)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Jeremy Madden "Welcome 1 percent"
lol.
(Read more "Classic Madden" here)
"Give me your sired, your lords, your well-healed masses just yearning to spend freely, the weary wealthy of your teeming town. Send these, the second homeowners, tempest tossed to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden parachute.
Never before in modern history has the burden of big bucks weighed so heavily on the backs of the well-off. Not only have the 99 percent been occupying and protesting in our parks and streets, but they have been bashing, brow beating and blaming the 1 percent for all the woes of the world.
Not since the French Revolution has the Bourgeoisie been more hated and hunted. Truly, it is a trying time for those trying to celebrate their success. Fortunately, all is not lost. High in the Rocky Mountains there is still a place where the 1 percent are always welcome. That place is Aspen.
Like a posh port in a stormy sea of sour grapes, Aspen awaits the wealthy with open arms of exclusivity, opulence and outrageous prices. Comfier than Russian sable and tastier than a bucket of Beluga, Aspen is here for the highest rollers, and has all the amenities and activities that money can buy. It is a place where the well-to-do are good to shop, spend, and separate themselves from the absolute awfulness of the other 99 percent...."
(Jeremy Madden)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
(Read more "Classic Madden" here)
"Give me your sired, your lords, your well-healed masses just yearning to spend freely, the weary wealthy of your teeming town. Send these, the second homeowners, tempest tossed to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden parachute.
Never before in modern history has the burden of big bucks weighed so heavily on the backs of the well-off. Not only have the 99 percent been occupying and protesting in our parks and streets, but they have been bashing, brow beating and blaming the 1 percent for all the woes of the world.
Not since the French Revolution has the Bourgeoisie been more hated and hunted. Truly, it is a trying time for those trying to celebrate their success. Fortunately, all is not lost. High in the Rocky Mountains there is still a place where the 1 percent are always welcome. That place is Aspen.
Like a posh port in a stormy sea of sour grapes, Aspen awaits the wealthy with open arms of exclusivity, opulence and outrageous prices. Comfier than Russian sable and tastier than a bucket of Beluga, Aspen is here for the highest rollers, and has all the amenities and activities that money can buy. It is a place where the well-to-do are good to shop, spend, and separate themselves from the absolute awfulness of the other 99 percent...."
(Jeremy Madden)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Steamboat businesses report strong Christmas sales"
Great news, Steamboat Springs! Keep up the good work, we're betting the airport expansion has a great deal to do with having crowds for the holidays.
"...In fact, most Steamboat Springs businesses reported a strong holiday week, even those that weren’t open Sunday. Many even surpassed last year’s sales, when record early season snowfall led to a big ski season.
“The 24th was the best Christmas Eve day we’ve ever had,” said Zirkel Trading owner Steve Hitchcock, who attributed the day’s record sales to it falling on a Saturday when many locals were off work and finishing their holiday shopping.
But Hitchcock, whose shop wasn’t open Christmas Day, noted that sales at his men’s clothing store since the weekend before Thanksgiving exceeded the same period from a year ago.
Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare also reported record sales this holiday shopping season.
“Our sales for the Christmas week were a little bit better than last year,” said Ski & Bike Kare co-owner Harry Martin. “And last year was our best ever....”
(Jack Weinstein)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"...In fact, most Steamboat Springs businesses reported a strong holiday week, even those that weren’t open Sunday. Many even surpassed last year’s sales, when record early season snowfall led to a big ski season.
“The 24th was the best Christmas Eve day we’ve ever had,” said Zirkel Trading owner Steve Hitchcock, who attributed the day’s record sales to it falling on a Saturday when many locals were off work and finishing their holiday shopping.
But Hitchcock, whose shop wasn’t open Christmas Day, noted that sales at his men’s clothing store since the weekend before Thanksgiving exceeded the same period from a year ago.
Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare also reported record sales this holiday shopping season.
“Our sales for the Christmas week were a little bit better than last year,” said Ski & Bike Kare co-owner Harry Martin. “And last year was our best ever....”
(Jack Weinstein)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Crested Butte News "CBMR makes the most of sunshine and bluebird days "
“....The grooming team is doing everything in their power to keep the snow as well-manicured as possible. Honestly, they have done a phenomenal job and I would argue that our surface is one of the best in the state right now, from what I’ve heard about other areas,” said Erica Reiter, CBMR’s public relations and communications manager...."
(Alissa Johnson)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
(Alissa Johnson)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
December 28, 2011
Note from 'SandBox Nanny': 'We spin, their spin, so you will stay thinking on your own"
What does that mean? Exactly, what does it mean that 'we spin, their spin, so you will stay thinking on your own" ?
Is this a conservative leaning news aggregate blog? Or liberal? Why do we try, and usually succeed, in driving regional, national and world news down to where it sounds like it's local to us news?
Because all politics are local politics.
Because community should be focused on what is in both your front and back yard.
Because we believe in statehood and all the rights of empowerment inherent therein.
Because most politicians are still somewhat in the dark ages when it comes to social media. No matter how much they now tweet, stumbleupon, digg and Like.
Because the blogosphere is running the high risk of becoming no better than the mainstream media it taunts daily.
(whisper...whisper...OMG...did I really just say that...it's almost blasphemous....whisper...whisper...)
To aggregate collect the dark forces of liberal views in the same manner as collecting the mostly light forces of conservative views is to collect the voices of the common man. The little guy who is spending his or her time seeking a way to stand up and strengthen their own version of America.
Bit of wisdom in the words of Robert Fulgham below.
If only, if only....our politicians aiming at 2012 would move out of their comfort zone and stop sanitizing their message by dominating social media with only what they feel they want repeated.
Really. It's OK. Step down off the curb and into traffic.
Just remember that it's best to hold hands and stick together.
Here's to the little guy.
Let freedom ring.
Robert Fugham:
"Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat. Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work some every day.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup - they all die. So do we.
And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK . Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living.
Think of what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap.
Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."
Is this a conservative leaning news aggregate blog? Or liberal? Why do we try, and usually succeed, in driving regional, national and world news down to where it sounds like it's local to us news?
Because all politics are local politics.
Because community should be focused on what is in both your front and back yard.
Because we believe in statehood and all the rights of empowerment inherent therein.
Because most politicians are still somewhat in the dark ages when it comes to social media. No matter how much they now tweet, stumbleupon, digg and Like.
Because the blogosphere is running the high risk of becoming no better than the mainstream media it taunts daily.
(whisper...whisper...OMG...did I really just say that...it's almost blasphemous....whisper...whisper...)
To aggregate collect the dark forces of liberal views in the same manner as collecting the mostly light forces of conservative views is to collect the voices of the common man. The little guy who is spending his or her time seeking a way to stand up and strengthen their own version of America.
Bit of wisdom in the words of Robert Fulgham below.
If only, if only....our politicians aiming at 2012 would move out of their comfort zone and stop sanitizing their message by dominating social media with only what they feel they want repeated.
Really. It's OK. Step down off the curb and into traffic.
Just remember that it's best to hold hands and stick together.
Here's to the little guy.
Let freedom ring.
Robert Fugham:
"Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat. Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work some every day.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup - they all die. So do we.
And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK . Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living.
Think of what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap.
Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Alleged cop-spitter heads toward trial"
The truth hurts.
Sometimes, the truth really hurts.
Who decides what the truth is? Who decides what the entire truth is? Are those in obligation to find out going to follow the law and sworn duty while they seek?
What is sworn duty for a cop? What’s different in that oath than the sworn duty of a prosecutor, a defender, a civil attorney? What’s different in the oath between a public defender and a private defender? One would think they are all the same. In the eyes of the folks served, the law says they are the same.
Think again.
Read Colorado rules, ethics, procedures from the perspective of trying to find the common path between all three.
Then go read what they are all bound to, which are the statutes of state and federal law.
Even there in that holy writ of law, read from the perspective of an average citizen trying to find out ‘who’s on first’ and ‘what’s on second’ when it comes to finding the path to holding all three to their sworn duty when there is a simultaneous problem with all three.
Are you aware that in the State of Colorado, in a very similar manner as the bowels of Pitkin and Garfield county’s building, planning and zoning departments, where codes, rules and procedures twist, turn and mate for life while sealing the fate of so many in the construction, development and business industry; that there is a huge and gaping hole that has nobody in charge when there’s a problem with sworn duty in our judicial system?
Oh, there’s an agency that governs ethics and licenses and a commission that governs oversight of judges. There are bar organizations and ethics watch groups. There are definitely laws, rules and procedures that are very strict yet also tempered with the latitude for the personal discretion of the attorneys involved. In the case of cops, they have far less latitude in making judgment calls. Then there is the obligation they all share that if they see a peer or misconduct of any kind they are to report to the court or agency that governs.
Yet, in all this, the State of Colorado Colorado
In Colorado
Most discretion used by persons in positions of trust is honorable and trustworthy. Why worry then if you are an average citizen? Surely, someone along the line will do their duty. Is the problem one then, of relying on individual values or perceptions/interpretations of law? For certain, the former statement is absolute. Most, if not all to some extent, of our service people are honorable and trustworthy. For certain, the latter question is reality.
The way Colorado
In our judicial system, the judge has no access to the problem, the details and the evidence until the attorneys service the law. And then, the court is relying heavily on the trust placed in sworn officers of the court. How many judges in the State of Colorado
Sounds like it’s time for the lawmakers, elected by the folks in the State of Colorado, to have a similar ‘reckoning’ with our statutes, rules and procedures as Pitkin and Garfield counties are doing with their land use codes. Doesn’t it? Sure does. The scope of that thought swells when one realizes that just like county and city codes overlap; we have federal and state overlap in our legal system. The medical marijuana and illegal immigration laws come to mind as examples.
Are you a liberal? A conservative? Doesn’t matter in the least because the law is absolute. However, your political leanings do matter a great deal when you’re unknowingly electing the free will discretion of an attorney or a cop to office or electing to a position that does the hiring and appointing. What do you think of all the heat currently on presidential candidates Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich for their hard stance on cleaning up our judicial system? What do you think of presidential candidate Barack Obama asking for more leniency and discretion of sworn officials?
The truth is not complicated. It is not a lot of media flap or even a personal manifesto or open declaration of war with your peers.
The truth is that the law and sworn duty are absolute. Service of both comes first and prior to discretion.
The truth, is that we are a country that has allowed the greatest, most fair and honorable justice system in the world to be tainted by the twists and turns of human beings that have forgotten that the law and oaths to duty are absolute and that they have only their own job to do within the system. Their scope and focus does not overlap into their fellows duties. That is the law and the law is absolute. It is also what our constitution and Bill of Rights mandates.
Cops should never act in a capacity where they are concerned in any way with what a lawyer might need in court. There is no need in any way if they would simply follow their training and their oath to enforce not serve the law. They do not work as an agent for anyone, especially prosecution. One of the most wise comments ‘SandBox Nanny’ has heard on this forum likely came in from a cop: “Old cops know that the best they can do in duty is to prove innocence.”
Attorneys, both prosecution and defense, hold only one job. To serve the law. In our adversarial system, justice is usually found when that creed, that oath is held to the highest standards. The law is absolute. The courtroom is not where we go to find answers or the truth. That was supposed to have been done by law enforcement and prosecution before charging. The law is absolute and that is the law.
It is the job of attorneys, after the burden is fully met and an accusation becomes a charge and the charge becomes a case; to place the integrity of the court into both sides hands, serve that integrity fully and then offer up the end result to the hands of the judge and jury. That is the law and the law is absolute.
It is the job of attorneys, after the burden is fully met and an accusation becomes a charge and the charge becomes a case; to place the integrity of the court into both sides hands, serve that integrity fully and then offer up the end result to the hands of the judge and jury. That is the law and the law is absolute.
We need cops, prosecutors, defenders and civil attorneys who do all they can to ignore the plethora of strategies, loopholes and reliance on those who came before them that laid the “it’s OK” groundwork to distort the lines.
Where the truth really hurts is when the distortion becomes the norm and discretion on any side can no longer be fully trusted as a result.
What an absolutely ridiculous bordering on the absurd, stall technique used by public defender Elise Myer in the case of ‘alleged cop-spitter’ Mark Brown. Good lord, determine whether or not they got that 20-minute taped rant legally and within Brown’s constitutional rights and if so, then defend the man with what you have within law to use. Where is it written that something very much tied to his alleged act against this cop is going to be “prejudicial” enough to be tossed? Give jurors some credit for having brains, your duty is obligated to protect the integrity of the court and you have an obligation to taxpayers to not waste time and money in stall tactics. Not to mention theatrics. If it is not “third-degree assault” to spit at a cop, then leave the theatrics and stall behind and go after the core root of that problem in over-reach. Give the folks some credit for brains and uphold the integrity of your duty to the court not the prosecutor.
What an absolutely ridiculous bordering on the absurd, grand-standing effort on the part of prosecutor Nedlin. Here is a drunk out of his head man, ranting at a cop in a police car for 20 minutes. Maybe the guy deserves the death penalty. To listen to Mr. Nedlin, one becomes ready to leap up and throw the switch. Strap him down! Give jurors some credit for having brains, your duty is obligated to protect the integrity of the court and you have an obligation to taxpayers to not waste time and money in over-reach, zealous prosecution. Not to mention theatrics. It does matter a great deal with the power you hold on whether or not you are over-reaching against an ‘alleged cop-spitter’.
The act of spitting on a cop is not only pure stupidity, it’s worthy of being prosecuted. Is it worth the ‘death penalty’? How come the folks aren’t hearing from the cop in this article, Mr. Travers? From the way it sounds from prosecutor Nedlin, he went ‘running’ into the prosecutor’s office ‘sobbing hysterically’ that he had been treated rudely in a ‘life-threatening manner’ by Mark Brown and waving this tape around as proof. From the way it sounds from defender Myer, Brown was tarred and feathered the minute the tape kicked on in the cop car. Who’s kidding here??! Cops, every day, are shouted at, spit upon, their units thrown up in, arrestees crying and pleading. They also have the latitude to audio or video their focus of interest. If he really did run to prosecutor Nedlin like this, then is this cop a rookie? Or is he simply at the mercy of prosecutor, defense and media discretion, did his job, put Mr. Brown in jail to sober up, wrote a report and walked away only to have DA investigators dig around in what he left behind and subsequently craft prosecutor Nedlin’s script? How does he feel about national coverage over the incident and the protection of the integrity of the judge he stands in front of having to sort out the ‘alleged cop-spitter’ incident?
Or is what we really have here a simple case of the DA’s office using their version of discretion and defender Myer using her version of discretion?
What is it that Judge Fernandez-Ely is now needing to fully rely on her discretion to sort out when reality is that she is stumbling a bit in the dark on the winding path of her court officers? When reality is that her only job is supposed to be upholding the law that is absolute.
With all of the above said, SandBoxBlogs sincerely thanks all our men and women of service to public duty. You are appreciated. It’s just that sometimes, the full truth hurts.
(Read the article? Follow the story? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen man accused of selling Ecstasy"
Update December 30, 2011
As with the current saga of homeless man Jimmy Baldwin being shuffled between North Dakota and Aspen continues; let's deal with the news reporting of Max Puder in the same way. Just update the original post.
There are (3) relevant stories in today's local news. Two different styled reports off the Times and the Daily. And a story off the Times regarding PitCo taking another look at whether or not to even allow medical marijuana operations to increase in the city and county (or) to ban them altogether in light of all the problems that industry faces. Including federal laws.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/150995
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229833/1077&ParentProfile=1058
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229830/1077&ParentProfile=1058
_________________________
Original Post:
Why does an 18 year old kid have a medical marijuana card?
"...Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin said he will file charges at Puder's next court appearance, set for Jan. 9.
Puder's parents attended Wednesday's advisement hearing, which Nichols conducted via speaker phone from her office in Glenwood Springs. His father said the family is focused on putting Puder in a rehabilitation facility so he can get on the right track.
Should Puder post bond, he will not be allowed to consume alcohol or take illegal substances. That includes marijuana, even though Puder is a registered marijuana patient.
“No pot. No marijuana,” the judge said.
The family has hired Yale Galanter, a defense attorney who practices in Aspen and outside of the state.
(Rick Carroll)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
As with the current saga of homeless man Jimmy Baldwin being shuffled between North Dakota and Aspen continues; let's deal with the news reporting of Max Puder in the same way. Just update the original post.
There are (3) relevant stories in today's local news. Two different styled reports off the Times and the Daily. And a story off the Times regarding PitCo taking another look at whether or not to even allow medical marijuana operations to increase in the city and county (or) to ban them altogether in light of all the problems that industry faces. Including federal laws.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/150995
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229833/1077&ParentProfile=1058
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229830/1077&ParentProfile=1058
_________________________
Original Post:
Why does an 18 year old kid have a medical marijuana card?
"...Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin said he will file charges at Puder's next court appearance, set for Jan. 9.
Puder's parents attended Wednesday's advisement hearing, which Nichols conducted via speaker phone from her office in Glenwood Springs. His father said the family is focused on putting Puder in a rehabilitation facility so he can get on the right track.
Should Puder post bond, he will not be allowed to consume alcohol or take illegal substances. That includes marijuana, even though Puder is a registered marijuana patient.
“No pot. No marijuana,” the judge said.
The family has hired Yale Galanter, a defense attorney who practices in Aspen and outside of the state.
(Rick Carroll)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Vail Daily "Vail Valley companies seeing more domestic applicants"
How do you feel about this latest media spin from our regional ski resorts to make it sound like everything is on the 'up and up' over their years of handling H2B and J1 visas for foreign workers?
Are you really buying the spin now that they've seen the light and because of the "Great Recession" they can finally open up the local industry jobs market to locals?
What's that you say?
You're seeing the pitch of the sale but aren't buying?
Good for you.
BTW, where is Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado) at in his investigation into alleged J1 and H2B visa abuses by our ski industry leaders? Where's ICE at?
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
Are you really buying the spin now that they've seen the light and because of the "Great Recession" they can finally open up the local industry jobs market to locals?
What's that you say?
You're seeing the pitch of the sale but aren't buying?
Good for you.
BTW, where is Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado) at in his investigation into alleged J1 and H2B visa abuses by our ski industry leaders? Where's ICE at?
(Read the article? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen feeling a bit full for the holiday season"
"ASPEN — Private jets crowd the ramp at the airport, and parking spaces in downtown Aspen are getting harder to find than a baby sitter on New Year's Eve. By Thursday night, town will be fuller than it has been since the holiday season of 2007-08...."
(Janet Urquhart)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
(Janet Urquhart)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
December 27, 2011
SandBox Comments: Dept. of Defense "Face of Defense: ‘Santa’ Delivers Fuel to Overseas Troops"
"....I just wanted to bring a little holiday cheer to the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and help out with a very special holiday delivery," chuckled ‘Santa,’ portrayed by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike Morris, the 816th squadron’s loadmaster flight noncommissioned officer in charge and native of Charleston, S.C.
The delivery -- 160 barrels of fuel -- was loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft under Santa's command.
The fuel will be used for generators, vehicles and heaters to keep service members warm in the frigid mountains of eastern Afghanistan, said Air Force Staff Sgt. Mike Folk, 816th EAS loadmaster and native of Frazeysburg, Ohio.
"This fuel is going to help keep them warm and let them continue to accomplish their mission," Folk said...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
The delivery -- 160 barrels of fuel -- was loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft under Santa's command.
The fuel will be used for generators, vehicles and heaters to keep service members warm in the frigid mountains of eastern Afghanistan, said Air Force Staff Sgt. Mike Folk, 816th EAS loadmaster and native of Frazeysburg, Ohio.
"This fuel is going to help keep them warm and let them continue to accomplish their mission," Folk said...."
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "Drawing up laughter, cartoon after cartoon "
What's found in nearly all of Mesa County's law enforcement agencies?
Posted on walls, cubicles, desks and possibly secret spots known only to those who serve and protect?
Gil Stone knows.
For a good laugh and some keen insight into one of the more light-hearted yet sort-of, kind-of humor only a cop can really understand fully...check out his website.
(Learn more about Gil? Click title. Comment to discuss or share)
Posted on walls, cubicles, desks and possibly secret spots known only to those who serve and protect?
Gil Stone knows.
For a good laugh and some keen insight into one of the more light-hearted yet sort-of, kind-of humor only a cop can really understand fully...check out his website.
(Learn more about Gil? Click title. Comment to discuss or share)
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)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Chamber board considers its legal liability exposure"
"According to an article on San Diego-based Aspen Risk Management Group’s website, “charitable immunity,” which is based upon the notion that charitable organizations and individuals should be exempt from legal liability, has faded over time.
The website also says that general liability policies only cover basic exposures, such as premises and operations, and directors and officers may not be protected under a stand-alone liability policy.
When considering how much insurance to carry, nonprofits ought to consider all of their resources and financial strength, as well as the organization’s activities and what can go wrong at any of them, according to the website...."
(sack@aspendailynews.com)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
The website also says that general liability policies only cover basic exposures, such as premises and operations, and directors and officers may not be protected under a stand-alone liability policy.
When considering how much insurance to carry, nonprofits ought to consider all of their resources and financial strength, as well as the organization’s activities and what can go wrong at any of them, according to the website...."
(sack@aspendailynews.com)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letters to the Editor "Christmas skiing at Snowmass"
See related story in today's Aspen Daily on Skico raising their lift prices again. For the second time in less than two weeks.
See related "complaining" locals story here.
See today's Vail Daily story on slope groomers over on Vail Resorts turf that are grooming for nearly 'full-up at the Inn' crowds.
"Dear Editor:
I was on the lift at 8:30. Beautiful day. No crowds at all. Bluebird skies. Very warm.
After skiing Snowmass, I thought it may be time for a name change. There is a famous bluegrass song from my home state of Tennessee. So let's change the name to “Good Old Rocky Top.”
I'm out again this week, but this time instead of taking my ski poles, I take my weed eater...."
I was on the lift at 8:30. Beautiful day. No crowds at all. Bluebird skies. Very warm.
After skiing Snowmass, I thought it may be time for a name change. There is a famous bluegrass song from my home state of Tennessee. So let's change the name to “Good Old Rocky Top.”
I'm out again this week, but this time instead of taking my ski poles, I take my weed eater...."
(Harry Temple III, Basalt )
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