SandBoxBlogs still believes Texas Governor Rick Perry was the right choice for America.
We don't fully support Newt Gingrich and would prefer to wait until there is a conservative nominee and then toss our support into the ring.
But, today from out in the Middle East, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has changed our minds.
She should be impeached over this.
Gingrich was not as clear as Perry over the upholding of our constitution at Supreme Court levels, but he is the only conservative candidate who also believes that without the strength of our constitution being upheld by the highest court we have, we are lost.
From the Middle East, listen to what she believes. (To watch video interview, click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 3, 2012
SandBox Comments: Town Hall/Jeff Jacoby "'Right-to-work' means freedom and choice "
Jeff Jacoby:
"SOON -- PERHAPS AS EARLY AS TODAY -- Gov. Mitch Daniels will sign legislation making Indiana the nation's 23rd right-to-work state. Labor unions angrily oppose the change, but their opposition has no legitimate or principled basis.
Labor unions vehemently oppose right-to-work laws. What principled reason can they have for doing so?
State right-to-work laws, authorized by the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, are not anti-union. They are pro-choice: They protect workers from being forced to join or pay fees to a labor union as a condition of keeping a job. In non-right-to-work states, employees who work in a "union shop" are compelled to fork over part of each paycheck to a labor organization -- even if they want nothing to do with unions, let alone to be represented by one. Laws like the one Indiana is poised to enact simply make union support voluntary. Hoosiers can't be required to kick back part of their wages to the Republican Party or the Methodist Church or the Animal Liberation Front; the new measure will ensure that they don't have to give a cut of everything they earn to labor unions, either.
Most Americans regard compulsory unionism as unconscionable. In a new Rasmussen survey, 74 percent of likely voters say non-union workers should not have to pay dues against their will. Once upon a time, labor movement giants like Samuel Gompers, a founder of the American Federation of Labor, agreed. "I want to urge devotion to the fundamentals of human liberty -- the principles of voluntarism," declared Gompers in his last speech to the AFL in 1924. "No lasting gain has ever come from compulsion." Those words can be seen chiseled on Gompers's memorial in Washington, DC...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"SOON -- PERHAPS AS EARLY AS TODAY -- Gov. Mitch Daniels will sign legislation making Indiana the nation's 23rd right-to-work state. Labor unions angrily oppose the change, but their opposition has no legitimate or principled basis.
Labor unions vehemently oppose right-to-work laws. What principled reason can they have for doing so?
State right-to-work laws, authorized by the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, are not anti-union. They are pro-choice: They protect workers from being forced to join or pay fees to a labor union as a condition of keeping a job. In non-right-to-work states, employees who work in a "union shop" are compelled to fork over part of each paycheck to a labor organization -- even if they want nothing to do with unions, let alone to be represented by one. Laws like the one Indiana is poised to enact simply make union support voluntary. Hoosiers can't be required to kick back part of their wages to the Republican Party or the Methodist Church or the Animal Liberation Front; the new measure will ensure that they don't have to give a cut of everything they earn to labor unions, either.
Most Americans regard compulsory unionism as unconscionable. In a new Rasmussen survey, 74 percent of likely voters say non-union workers should not have to pay dues against their will. Once upon a time, labor movement giants like Samuel Gompers, a founder of the American Federation of Labor, agreed. "I want to urge devotion to the fundamentals of human liberty -- the principles of voluntarism," declared Gompers in his last speech to the AFL in 1924. "No lasting gain has ever come from compulsion." Those words can be seen chiseled on Gompers's memorial in Washington, DC...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Rotary: A spin on American virtue"
Be sure to read all the way through, things are not always as they appear to be...
Melanie Sturm:
"If you've ever wanted to be as good a person as your dog thinks you are but feared you'd never reach your dog's standards, Think Again. Recently, when speaking before the Rotary Club of Aspen, one of more than 33,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, I discovered a treasure trove of virtue — they're called Rotarians.
As if powdered slopes beckon, dozens of Aspen's most respected and engaged residents rise early on Thursdays to enjoy breakfast, social networking and a guest speaker. Most important, they uphold an important American ethic — they ask not what their country can do for them but what they can do for their country. United by a commitment to “be beneficial and fair to all concerned,” Aspen Rotarians are as recognizable for their business, civic and other nonprofit leadership as they are for the Ducky Derby, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Melanie Sturm:
"If you've ever wanted to be as good a person as your dog thinks you are but feared you'd never reach your dog's standards, Think Again. Recently, when speaking before the Rotary Club of Aspen, one of more than 33,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, I discovered a treasure trove of virtue — they're called Rotarians.
As if powdered slopes beckon, dozens of Aspen's most respected and engaged residents rise early on Thursdays to enjoy breakfast, social networking and a guest speaker. Most important, they uphold an important American ethic — they ask not what their country can do for them but what they can do for their country. United by a commitment to “be beneficial and fair to all concerned,” Aspen Rotarians are as recognizable for their business, civic and other nonprofit leadership as they are for the Ducky Derby, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Delta County Independent "Paonia finance officer resigns"
Kathy Browning:
"Last Thursday the Paonia Town Council decided they had no choice but to turn the case of their financial officer over to the district attorney for criminal prosecution. The town alleges that Kristin Chesnik made personal purchases with town funds.
A day earlier, in light of the allegations of misuse of public funds, Chesnik resigned from town staff.
The decision by council was made following an executive session during a special town council meeting on Jan. 26. Trustees cast a unanimous vote. Also attending the executive session was auditor Peter Blair...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Last Thursday the Paonia Town Council decided they had no choice but to turn the case of their financial officer over to the district attorney for criminal prosecution. The town alleges that Kristin Chesnik made personal purchases with town funds.
A day earlier, in light of the allegations of misuse of public funds, Chesnik resigned from town staff.
The decision by council was made following an executive session during a special town council meeting on Jan. 26. Trustees cast a unanimous vote. Also attending the executive session was auditor Peter Blair...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBox Comments: CBS Denver 4 "McGregor Found Guilty, Sentenced To Life In Prison"
"BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- The man on trial for killing another man who was walking a University of Colorado student home in March 2011 has been found guilty.
Kevin McGregor was convicted of shooting and killing Todd Walker.
McGregor, 23, was found guilty of first degree murder Thursday afternoon. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Kevin McGregor was convicted of shooting and killing Todd Walker.
McGregor, 23, was found guilty of first degree murder Thursday afternoon. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Stabile named Steamboat police captain "
Steamboat Today:
"Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs Police Department Detective Jerry Stabile will be the department’s new captain, according to a post Thursday evening on the city’s Facebook page.
Stabile replaces Joel Rae, who was promoted to chief last month after JD Hays retired...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs Police Department Detective Jerry Stabile will be the department’s new captain, according to a post Thursday evening on the city’s Facebook page.
Stabile replaces Joel Rae, who was promoted to chief last month after JD Hays retired...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Former instructor Mulcahy sues SkiCo CEO for libel"
Since 'SandBox Nanny' has talked with Lee over all this, she'll direct her comment to the media coverage.
Again, she chooses Chad Abraham over on the Aspen Daily for his detail and thoroughness covering the topic and its background.
Good wishes to Lee Mulcahy. He already knows he has our support.
"...In an email to SkiCo employees in early February 2011, Kaplan said Mulcahy used the low-wage argument to cover up inappropriate behavior as an instructor.
In February 2010, Mulcahy, a 15-year instructor who was once invited into SkiCo’s elite Diamond Pros group of teachers, took a class of young girls out of bounds and used abusive language toward them, Kaplan wrote in a letter to the editor.
Both Aspen papers published Kaplan’s missive, which also said that in April 2010, a SkiCo guest “notified us that Lee charged a private lesson to his credit card without his authorization.”
Mulcahy’s lawsuit says the statements about both incidents are false and defamatory. SkiCo has emails from the client that authorize both the lesson and the credit-card charge, according to the court filing.
“The CEO of the SkiCo published the false statements with both knowledge and reckless disregard of their falsity,” wrote Mulcahy, who is representing himself in the lawsuit. “Moreover, the statements are considered defamatory on their face without further evidence to put them into context and make them defamatory.”
Jeff Hanle, SkiCo spokesman, said Thursday that Kaplan had not been served with the lawsuit and “therefore he has nothing to say.”
Mulcahy sustained a “great financial loss in the year 2011, in [an] amount exceeding $15,000, and plaintiff alleges that such losses are due to the slanderous activities of the defendant,” the lawsuit says.
Mulcahy, who did not return messages Thursday, writes that his reputation has been damaged and that Kaplan’s statements have deprived him of his livelihood. The plaintiff was “subjected to great humiliation and mental anguish and subjected to other damages from ‘the company that owns the company town,’” the lawsuit says.
Kaplan’s statements and the manner in which Mulcahy was fired “are stigmatizing and false, [and] they significantly foreclose plaintiff’s possibility of future employment in the field as well as the ‘company town’ in which he was employed by defendant,” the lawsuit says...." (Read more? Click title)
Again, she chooses Chad Abraham over on the Aspen Daily for his detail and thoroughness covering the topic and its background.
Good wishes to Lee Mulcahy. He already knows he has our support.
"...In an email to SkiCo employees in early February 2011, Kaplan said Mulcahy used the low-wage argument to cover up inappropriate behavior as an instructor.
In February 2010, Mulcahy, a 15-year instructor who was once invited into SkiCo’s elite Diamond Pros group of teachers, took a class of young girls out of bounds and used abusive language toward them, Kaplan wrote in a letter to the editor.
Both Aspen papers published Kaplan’s missive, which also said that in April 2010, a SkiCo guest “notified us that Lee charged a private lesson to his credit card without his authorization.”
Mulcahy’s lawsuit says the statements about both incidents are false and defamatory. SkiCo has emails from the client that authorize both the lesson and the credit-card charge, according to the court filing.
“The CEO of the SkiCo published the false statements with both knowledge and reckless disregard of their falsity,” wrote Mulcahy, who is representing himself in the lawsuit. “Moreover, the statements are considered defamatory on their face without further evidence to put them into context and make them defamatory.”
Jeff Hanle, SkiCo spokesman, said Thursday that Kaplan had not been served with the lawsuit and “therefore he has nothing to say.”
Mulcahy sustained a “great financial loss in the year 2011, in [an] amount exceeding $15,000, and plaintiff alleges that such losses are due to the slanderous activities of the defendant,” the lawsuit says.
Mulcahy, who did not return messages Thursday, writes that his reputation has been damaged and that Kaplan’s statements have deprived him of his livelihood. The plaintiff was “subjected to great humiliation and mental anguish and subjected to other damages from ‘the company that owns the company town,’” the lawsuit says.
Kaplan’s statements and the manner in which Mulcahy was fired “are stigmatizing and false, [and] they significantly foreclose plaintiff’s possibility of future employment in the field as well as the ‘company town’ in which he was employed by defendant,” the lawsuit says...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 "La Plata Sheriff's Office Mourns Deputy's Off-Duty Death"
Katie Ryan:
"Hollis Holland began working for La Plata Sheriff’s Office on a part time basis in 1991, then as a full time Deputy for 19 years, beginning in 1992. During that time he received numerous commendations including being awarded the Badge of Merit in 2002 for leading an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a person who was intentionally starting fires while firefighters were still battling the Missionary Ridge Fire.
He received a second Badge of Merit in 2010 when he discovered a house that was on fire and rescued a woman who was still in the house and unaware of the fire.
Bender said Holland and his wife moved to the area in the 1970’s where he worked in a mine in Silverton and fell in love with the San Juan Mountains. He was a leader with San Juan County Search & Rescue for ten years and an active member of the Silverton Avalanche School in the 1980’s before joining La Plata Sheriff’s Office.
Holland was also instrumental in the operation of the Deputy Ski Program that put LPCSO Deputies on the slopes of Durango Mountain Ski Area at Purgatory for enhanced security and quicker response times. Bender said Holland was also well known both in San Juan and La Plata Counties for filling in for Santa Claus when Santa was busy elsewhere...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Hollis Holland began working for La Plata Sheriff’s Office on a part time basis in 1991, then as a full time Deputy for 19 years, beginning in 1992. During that time he received numerous commendations including being awarded the Badge of Merit in 2002 for leading an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a person who was intentionally starting fires while firefighters were still battling the Missionary Ridge Fire.
He received a second Badge of Merit in 2010 when he discovered a house that was on fire and rescued a woman who was still in the house and unaware of the fire.
Bender said Holland and his wife moved to the area in the 1970’s where he worked in a mine in Silverton and fell in love with the San Juan Mountains. He was a leader with San Juan County Search & Rescue for ten years and an active member of the Silverton Avalanche School in the 1980’s before joining La Plata Sheriff’s Office.
Holland was also instrumental in the operation of the Deputy Ski Program that put LPCSO Deputies on the slopes of Durango Mountain Ski Area at Purgatory for enhanced security and quicker response times. Bender said Holland was also well known both in San Juan and La Plata Counties for filling in for Santa Claus when Santa was busy elsewhere...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Delta County Independent "No letter coming from Paonia on land swap"
'SandBox Nanny' has said it before.
She grew up in the Kebler Pass area of Bill Koch's Bear Creek Ranch.
And completely understands his desire for privacy. She fully supports the land swap that is going to make that possible.
After all, these public invasions of his privacy and slurs against his success, name and lifestyle choices, especially by the folks in the Paonia area, have been so over the top; he's earned the peace and quiet of a successful land trade.
Hopefully, the noses sticking in where they shouldn't be will let this drop now and let the due processes of Congress take over.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
She grew up in the Kebler Pass area of Bill Koch's Bear Creek Ranch.
And completely understands his desire for privacy. She fully supports the land swap that is going to make that possible.
After all, these public invasions of his privacy and slurs against his success, name and lifestyle choices, especially by the folks in the Paonia area, have been so over the top; he's earned the peace and quiet of a successful land trade.
Hopefully, the noses sticking in where they shouldn't be will let this drop now and let the due processes of Congress take over.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Canon City Daily Record "'Over the River' Hearings Far From Over"
Carie Canterbury:
"About 100 people filled the commissioners' boardroom, including law enforcement and media from across the state. About 75 chairs also were set up for overflow in the lower level of the administration building, where viewers could watch live televised proceedings.
The media frenzy and naysayers didn't seem to faze Christo.
"The work of art involves everything, people who dislike or like the project, they are part of the work of art," he said. "I appreciate their comments, ideas and suggestions."
Many proponents Wednesday said OTR is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is likely to re-energize the local tourist industry.
"This is a $100 million economic gift from Christo over the next two years," said Doug Shane, executive director of the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce. "Advertising value equivalency of this project simply cannot be estimated at this time but can be estimated by taking all of the print, TV chatter, radio chatter, Internet interest and putting a multiplier of three to 10 times what it would cost to purchase that kind of air time."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"About 100 people filled the commissioners' boardroom, including law enforcement and media from across the state. About 75 chairs also were set up for overflow in the lower level of the administration building, where viewers could watch live televised proceedings.
The media frenzy and naysayers didn't seem to faze Christo.
"The work of art involves everything, people who dislike or like the project, they are part of the work of art," he said. "I appreciate their comments, ideas and suggestions."
Many proponents Wednesday said OTR is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is likely to re-energize the local tourist industry.
"This is a $100 million economic gift from Christo over the next two years," said Doug Shane, executive director of the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce. "Advertising value equivalency of this project simply cannot be estimated at this time but can be estimated by taking all of the print, TV chatter, radio chatter, Internet interest and putting a multiplier of three to 10 times what it would cost to purchase that kind of air time."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Search for new Re-1 superintendent begins"
This is so wonderful. What a great job the new RE-1 board is doing!
Quietly, but firm and powerful, they are showing the RE-1 district a much better way to administer our school district.
Keeping their word while handling a very difficult situation is commendable.
Thank you to the RE-1 school board.
"..The board, including three new members elected last fall who had openly questioned district leadership, decided to part ways with Haptonstall after gathering extensive input from district staff and the general public.
A similar approach will be used by HYA in developing a superintendent profile for the school district. It will involve meetings with groups of Re-1 teachers, principals, district administrators, support staff, parents and students.
There will also be an online survey for citizens to take part in. And the school board intends to solicit input from local elected officials, service clubs, representatives from charter and private schools, Colorado Mountain College officials and former Re-1 school board members..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Quietly, but firm and powerful, they are showing the RE-1 district a much better way to administer our school district.
Keeping their word while handling a very difficult situation is commendable.
Thank you to the RE-1 school board.
"..The board, including three new members elected last fall who had openly questioned district leadership, decided to part ways with Haptonstall after gathering extensive input from district staff and the general public.
A similar approach will be used by HYA in developing a superintendent profile for the school district. It will involve meetings with groups of Re-1 teachers, principals, district administrators, support staff, parents and students.
There will also be an online survey for citizens to take part in. And the school board intends to solicit input from local elected officials, service clubs, representatives from charter and private schools, Colorado Mountain College officials and former Re-1 school board members..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Let’s ask the right question"
(See related story here)
Kudos to Paul Menter on this piece off the Aspen Daily today.
"I’ve disappointed Jack Johnson. I’m so distraught. In his Jan. 27 Aspen Daily News column Jack seeks understanding for why as city finance director I did not warn the council prior to my departure in December 2007 about decisions they made between 2008 and today.
The right question to ask is 20 years from today, when valley residents are living with a desiccated Castle Creek, its ecology slowly deprived of the water it needs by a poorly planned and overpriced hydroelectric plant, will anyone care what Jack and I wrote about each other?
My guess is no.
Jack’s implication that as finance director I misrepresented facts about the Castle Creek Energy Center (CCEC), and now choose to use that information against the city is, to use Jack’s own word, sophistry; or to use mine, deceitful nonsense. Remember, Jack was the elected council member who tried to deprive his constituents of property and voting rights through the “Ordinance 30” and “Instant Runoff Voting” debacles, memorialized by his now infamous declaration to IRV detractors: “First we vote, and then we shut up.” The pot is clearly calling the kettle black.
So let us return to the important issue — the environmental impact of the CCEC, and the city’s attempt to bypass comprehensive environmental review, putting at risk local ecology in order to take credit for a symbolic statement against global warming...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Kudos to Paul Menter on this piece off the Aspen Daily today.
"I’ve disappointed Jack Johnson. I’m so distraught. In his Jan. 27 Aspen Daily News column Jack seeks understanding for why as city finance director I did not warn the council prior to my departure in December 2007 about decisions they made between 2008 and today.
The right question to ask is 20 years from today, when valley residents are living with a desiccated Castle Creek, its ecology slowly deprived of the water it needs by a poorly planned and overpriced hydroelectric plant, will anyone care what Jack and I wrote about each other?
My guess is no.
Jack’s implication that as finance director I misrepresented facts about the Castle Creek Energy Center (CCEC), and now choose to use that information against the city is, to use Jack’s own word, sophistry; or to use mine, deceitful nonsense. Remember, Jack was the elected council member who tried to deprive his constituents of property and voting rights through the “Ordinance 30” and “Instant Runoff Voting” debacles, memorialized by his now infamous declaration to IRV detractors: “First we vote, and then we shut up.” The pot is clearly calling the kettle black.
So let us return to the important issue — the environmental impact of the CCEC, and the city’s attempt to bypass comprehensive environmental review, putting at risk local ecology in order to take credit for a symbolic statement against global warming...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "December’s retail sales bring strong end to 2011"
Aspen's folks voted an increase to the tourism lodging tax at mid-terms because they have a vetted trust in their tourism marketing vendor and the oversight of the City of Aspen.
According to these figures released up on the Aspen Daily today?
The result is a 217% increase to tourism marketing funds available. One year, that much of an increase. Congratulations!!
On a side note, SandBox has listened to the grumbles of the small business community in Glenwood Springs for nearly two years now. Wondering why it is so hard for the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and the City of Glenwood Springs management to put out detailed sales tax reporting.
So, (sigh..rolls eyes..) let's toss up (again) how easy that is to do.
Aspen Daily News:
"With a strong December, the newly expanded tourist promotion lodging tax ended the year up 217 percent compared to 2010. The transportation lodging tax finished 2011 with a 6 percent increase from the prior year.
Aspen’s portion of Pitkin County’s sales tax for November 2011 was up 8 percent from 2010 and 7 percent year-to-date. The housing real estate transfer tax collections for January 2012 were the highest since 2009, up 44 percent from 2011. The Wheeler real estate transfer tax collections for January 2012 were up 29 percent compared to 2011.
December year-to-date retail sales:
(Category, YTD retail sales, % change prior year)
Accommodations
$128,386,219
3%
Restaurants and bars
$92,430,999
7%
Sports equipment/clothing
$41,702,789
11%
Clothing
$40,183,162
11%
Food and drug
$47,340,075
2%
Liquor
$8,252,984
5%
General retail
$17,584,794
5%
Construction
$34,280,058
38%
Luxury goods
$24,357,635
14%
Utilities
$38,076,438
(1%)
Automobile
$13,290,185
(2%)
Miscellaneous
$16,892,407
19%
Total
$502,777,747
7%
December monthly retail sales
Category
Retail sales
% change prior year
Accommodations
$22,792,500
15%
Restaurants and bars
$10,888,138
11%
Sports equipment/clothing
$8,843,412
11%
Clothing
$6,491,555
17%
Food and drug
$7,243,596
19%
Liquor
$1,269,333
11%
General retail
$3,011,878
2%
Construction
$4,863,102
51%
Luxury goods
$4,331,841
15%
Utilities
$4,626,883
12%
Automobile
$833,956
(56%)
Miscellaneous
$2,539,697
5%
Total
$77,735,891
13%
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
According to these figures released up on the Aspen Daily today?
The result is a 217% increase to tourism marketing funds available. One year, that much of an increase. Congratulations!!
On a side note, SandBox has listened to the grumbles of the small business community in Glenwood Springs for nearly two years now. Wondering why it is so hard for the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and the City of Glenwood Springs management to put out detailed sales tax reporting.
So, (sigh..rolls eyes..) let's toss up (again) how easy that is to do.
Aspen Daily News:
"With a strong December, the newly expanded tourist promotion lodging tax ended the year up 217 percent compared to 2010. The transportation lodging tax finished 2011 with a 6 percent increase from the prior year.
Aspen’s portion of Pitkin County’s sales tax for November 2011 was up 8 percent from 2010 and 7 percent year-to-date. The housing real estate transfer tax collections for January 2012 were the highest since 2009, up 44 percent from 2011. The Wheeler real estate transfer tax collections for January 2012 were up 29 percent compared to 2011.
December year-to-date retail sales:
(Category, YTD retail sales, % change prior year)
Accommodations
$128,386,219
3%
Restaurants and bars
$92,430,999
7%
Sports equipment/clothing
$41,702,789
11%
Clothing
$40,183,162
11%
Food and drug
$47,340,075
2%
Liquor
$8,252,984
5%
General retail
$17,584,794
5%
Construction
$34,280,058
38%
Luxury goods
$24,357,635
14%
Utilities
$38,076,438
(1%)
Automobile
$13,290,185
(2%)
Miscellaneous
$16,892,407
19%
Total
$502,777,747
7%
December monthly retail sales
Category
Retail sales
% change prior year
Accommodations
$22,792,500
15%
Restaurants and bars
$10,888,138
11%
Sports equipment/clothing
$8,843,412
11%
Clothing
$6,491,555
17%
Food and drug
$7,243,596
19%
Liquor
$1,269,333
11%
General retail
$3,011,878
2%
Construction
$4,863,102
51%
Luxury goods
$4,331,841
15%
Utilities
$4,626,883
12%
Automobile
$833,956
(56%)
Miscellaneous
$2,539,697
5%
Total
$77,735,891
13%
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning Photo: Summit seasons"
Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — To welcome a new sponsor who helps support Summit Voice photography, we’re posting a few of our favorite Summit County scenes. Share this post with your friends and visit our sponsors online to thank them for supporting independent journalism in Summit County...."
"SUMMIT COUNTY — To welcome a new sponsor who helps support Summit Voice photography, we’re posting a few of our favorite Summit County scenes. Share this post with your friends and visit our sponsors online to thank them for supporting independent journalism in Summit County...."
February 2, 2012
SandBox Comments: The Atlantic/Linda Killian "4 Types of Independent Voters Who Could Swing the 2012 Elections"
Reporting from right here in Glenwood Springs, The Atlantic's Linda Killian puts up a left-leaning but very detailed piece on Colorado's Independent/Unaffiliated voters.
Very well done and an interesting read.
You local followers may recognize a name or two.
There are four key states that hold the power for their independents to swing the 2012 election. Colorado, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Very well done and an interesting read.
You local followers may recognize a name or two.
There are four key states that hold the power for their independents to swing the 2012 election. Colorado, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Commentary Magazine "Press Man: Why They Wept for Hitchens "
Press Man/Andrew Ferguson:
"One night, nearly 25 years ago, I was talking with Christopher Hitchens at a cocktail party—that this statement could be construed as name-dropping is actually the subject of this column, so please read on—when we were interrupted by the actor Richard Dreyfuss. Hitchens, then serving the Nation magazine as its Washington columnist, stood expressionless as Dreyfuss uncorked the most lavish praise for something he had recently written, and then for his entire body of work, and, indeed, for his very existence, considering the example he set for every person of conscience on the planet…When the effusion died down, Hitchens thanked Dreyfuss for it, and the movie star turned and walked away as lightly as a school girl after a backstage brush with Justin Bieber. Before I could express my amazement at this impressive display, Hitchens cut me off with a wave of his Rothman.
“Happens all the time,” he said.
He didn’t mean it to be funny, but it was. At the time Hitchens truly was semi-anonymous, which is much lower on the fame ladder than semi-famous. What renown he possessed in the United States in those days rested on a few C-SPAN appearances and a vague (and mistaken) reputation as the model for the character Peter Fallow in Tom Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"One night, nearly 25 years ago, I was talking with Christopher Hitchens at a cocktail party—that this statement could be construed as name-dropping is actually the subject of this column, so please read on—when we were interrupted by the actor Richard Dreyfuss. Hitchens, then serving the Nation magazine as its Washington columnist, stood expressionless as Dreyfuss uncorked the most lavish praise for something he had recently written, and then for his entire body of work, and, indeed, for his very existence, considering the example he set for every person of conscience on the planet…When the effusion died down, Hitchens thanked Dreyfuss for it, and the movie star turned and walked away as lightly as a school girl after a backstage brush with Justin Bieber. Before I could express my amazement at this impressive display, Hitchens cut me off with a wave of his Rothman.
“Happens all the time,” he said.
He didn’t mean it to be funny, but it was. At the time Hitchens truly was semi-anonymous, which is much lower on the fame ladder than semi-famous. What renown he possessed in the United States in those days rested on a few C-SPAN appearances and a vague (and mistaken) reputation as the model for the character Peter Fallow in Tom Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Town Hall "Democrats Love Taxes -- They Just Don't Want to Pay Them"
Larry Elder:
"Forgive Republican candidate Mitt Romney for his alleged failure to adequately explain why he paid "only" 14 percent of his income in taxes.
The honest answer -- "Well, because my accountants couldn't figure out how to get them any lower" -- does not work in this or very many other election years. Romney seemed flat-footed because, like most business people, he seeks to minimize costs and expenses.
This includes taxes.
A normal wealthy-and-proud-of-it guy would have said: "Let me get this straight, pal. I'm not supposed to take every legal advantage provided me by the tax laws to reduce my taxes?" For what it's worth, about 15 percent of Romney's last two years of income went to charity -- substantially higher than the percentage given by the Obamas or Joe Biden's $380 (not a typo) of his quarter-million dollar income in 2006.
"Tax savings" allows people more money to save, spend, invest, bequeath and donate. On some level, even Democrats understand this...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Forgive Republican candidate Mitt Romney for his alleged failure to adequately explain why he paid "only" 14 percent of his income in taxes.
The honest answer -- "Well, because my accountants couldn't figure out how to get them any lower" -- does not work in this or very many other election years. Romney seemed flat-footed because, like most business people, he seeks to minimize costs and expenses.
This includes taxes.
A normal wealthy-and-proud-of-it guy would have said: "Let me get this straight, pal. I'm not supposed to take every legal advantage provided me by the tax laws to reduce my taxes?" For what it's worth, about 15 percent of Romney's last two years of income went to charity -- substantially higher than the percentage given by the Obamas or Joe Biden's $380 (not a typo) of his quarter-million dollar income in 2006.
"Tax savings" allows people more money to save, spend, invest, bequeath and donate. On some level, even Democrats understand this...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "Drug ring dismantled, 14 people are in custody"
Brian Schlonsky:
"A major bust puts an end to an operation that was delivering several pounds of illegal drugs to Grand Junction.
Wednesday, 11 News learned new details on how that drug operation worked, and how it was stopped.
There's 14 people in custody right now, 13 of them from right here in Mesa County.
The last arrest was made Wednesday in Denver, a final piece to an investigation that's been in the works for over six months.
"This is a ring we've been aware of for quite some time, they've been dealing fairly large amounts," Dan Rubinstein, the chief deputy district attorney for the drug division, said.
And by fairly large, we're talking around 1 kilo, or 2.2 pounds of cocaine into Mesa County every ten days. That's what Federico Lerma and his family are accused of bringing into Grand Junction.
On Sunday, Lerma was arrested after police say they found a kilo of cocaine in the air filter of his car, and another fourth of a pound back at his house.
"He was using his family members to distribute with him, doing things like bringing his 7 month old granddaughter along so as to appear like a family so they wouldn't get stopped," Rubinstein said...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"A major bust puts an end to an operation that was delivering several pounds of illegal drugs to Grand Junction.
Wednesday, 11 News learned new details on how that drug operation worked, and how it was stopped.
There's 14 people in custody right now, 13 of them from right here in Mesa County.
The last arrest was made Wednesday in Denver, a final piece to an investigation that's been in the works for over six months.
"This is a ring we've been aware of for quite some time, they've been dealing fairly large amounts," Dan Rubinstein, the chief deputy district attorney for the drug division, said.
And by fairly large, we're talking around 1 kilo, or 2.2 pounds of cocaine into Mesa County every ten days. That's what Federico Lerma and his family are accused of bringing into Grand Junction.
On Sunday, Lerma was arrested after police say they found a kilo of cocaine in the air filter of his car, and another fourth of a pound back at his house.
"He was using his family members to distribute with him, doing things like bringing his 7 month old granddaughter along so as to appear like a family so they wouldn't get stopped," Rubinstein said...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Glenwood charter change to elect mayor to be discussed"
SandBox has a couple of comments to make on this piece by John Stroud off the Glenwood Springs Post Independent.
With regard to the proposals to change our charter to allow for public election of our Mayor...just say, YES!!
With regard to spending the money and resources to get councilman term limits upped...just say 'Absolutely NOT!'
The argument that we may fall into the same tar pitMayor Mick has put the City of Aspen into has both a pro and a con.
The pro on elected seats only is that it is always the public right to have a voice and the final say by the casting of their vote. Besides, do you really think anyone during the remainder of this century is ever going to allow another Mick Ireland to happen?? If a voting sector does set up such a scenario, there isn't any way to predict or control that free will which makes Mayor Matt's concerns without merit.
The con on upping the term limits, is that the public has a right to have a voice and when you allow the pushing of the envelope on the law itself when it comes to term limits (or) give an individual free license to become a near career local representative/authority (three terms is over a decade) you're no longer giving a true option of choice. You're giving a weighted selection in an arena that has serious effect on the folks day to day lives. Bottom line, is that any request to fudge a gray area of term limits should be put to a public vote and detailed public input process.
One of the questions SandBox raises today is what happened to the unconstitutionality problem of our city charter vs. state charter when it comes to local elections. Remember Dirk Myers ? Click here and here to refressh yourself. Let's get it all done at once.
With regard to the talks continuing on The Ghettos affordable housing, we're wondering if Mary Noone is pacing herself and watching from home tonight. Just say NO to the city taking over the infrastructure obligations for this developer. After all, we have sinking, cracking and not too distant future major problems in The Meadows development itself (and) a bus barn that is near being condemned when it's roughly only a decade old. These 'affordable' housing apartments are being built as cheap as cheap can get (we've reviewed the plans) on the same soils and will be in the same state within a decade or so.
With all that on our plate, why in the world should we take the infrastructure costs of the driveway/road oout of the developer's hands? Just say NO.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
With regard to the proposals to change our charter to allow for public election of our Mayor...just say, YES!!
With regard to spending the money and resources to get councilman term limits upped...just say 'Absolutely NOT!'
The argument that we may fall into the same tar pitMayor Mick has put the City of Aspen into has both a pro and a con.
The pro on elected seats only is that it is always the public right to have a voice and the final say by the casting of their vote. Besides, do you really think anyone during the remainder of this century is ever going to allow another Mick Ireland to happen?? If a voting sector does set up such a scenario, there isn't any way to predict or control that free will which makes Mayor Matt's concerns without merit.
The con on upping the term limits, is that the public has a right to have a voice and when you allow the pushing of the envelope on the law itself when it comes to term limits (or) give an individual free license to become a near career local representative/authority (three terms is over a decade) you're no longer giving a true option of choice. You're giving a weighted selection in an arena that has serious effect on the folks day to day lives. Bottom line, is that any request to fudge a gray area of term limits should be put to a public vote and detailed public input process.
One of the questions SandBox raises today is what happened to the unconstitutionality problem of our city charter vs. state charter when it comes to local elections. Remember Dirk Myers ? Click here and here to refressh yourself. Let's get it all done at once.
With regard to the talks continuing on The Ghettos affordable housing, we're wondering if Mary Noone is pacing herself and watching from home tonight. Just say NO to the city taking over the infrastructure obligations for this developer. After all, we have sinking, cracking and not too distant future major problems in The Meadows development itself (and) a bus barn that is near being condemned when it's roughly only a decade old. These 'affordable' housing apartments are being built as cheap as cheap can get (we've reviewed the plans) on the same soils and will be in the same state within a decade or so.
With all that on our plate, why in the world should we take the infrastructure costs of the driveway/road oout of the developer's hands? Just say NO.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Fewer local tourism jobs than in 2000"
Or, maybe Lee Mulcahy doesn't have to build his own public stocks and place himself into them after all.
Maybe PitCo commissioners will lend a hand by retaining an intensive study into 'why' Aspen and Pitkin County are sliding so noticeably over the past decade from one of the most affluent and thriving on multiple levels counties in the nation to:
Andrew Travers:
"The travel and tourism piece is something that you do very well,” Ben Alexander, an economist from the Montana-based Headwaters Institute told the county commissioners by phone Wednesday. “But it’s something you haven’t grown in in some time — and that’s surprising to me.”
Commissioners noted that growth in jobs and the overall economy was fast paced here through the first two-thirds of the last decade, but quickly fell off with the recession.
The institute’s report, based largely on 2010 census data, found that travel and tourism jobs make up 53 percent of employment in the county, or roughly 8,700 jobs. But that number has declined by 560 jobs since 2000, Alexander found.
“To me the big story is that travel and tourism have not been a job creator for you over the last decade,” he said. “Travel and tourism has been a source of job loss.”
Over the same period, retail jobs shrank by 10 percent, from 912 to 819. Hotel and food services likewise shrank from 5,421 to 4,556 jobs — a 16 percent decrease.
However, jobs categorized in arts, entertainment and recreation grew from 2,728 to 3,148 here — a 15 percent increase, owing largely to ski- and sports-related business. That sector, Alexander reported, was the only part of the local economy that continued creating jobs through the onset of the recession in 2008 and 2009, when employment went up by 85 jobs.
Less surprising to county officials was that economic growth in the county was more gradual here over the go-go 2000s than in other ski resorts, owing largely to strict local land-use codes..."
(Read more? Click title)
Here's to the little guy.
Let freedom ring.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Maybe PitCo commissioners will lend a hand by retaining an intensive study into 'why' Aspen and Pitkin County are sliding so noticeably over the past decade from one of the most affluent and thriving on multiple levels counties in the nation to:
Andrew Travers:
"The travel and tourism piece is something that you do very well,” Ben Alexander, an economist from the Montana-based Headwaters Institute told the county commissioners by phone Wednesday. “But it’s something you haven’t grown in in some time — and that’s surprising to me.”
Commissioners noted that growth in jobs and the overall economy was fast paced here through the first two-thirds of the last decade, but quickly fell off with the recession.
The institute’s report, based largely on 2010 census data, found that travel and tourism jobs make up 53 percent of employment in the county, or roughly 8,700 jobs. But that number has declined by 560 jobs since 2000, Alexander found.
“To me the big story is that travel and tourism have not been a job creator for you over the last decade,” he said. “Travel and tourism has been a source of job loss.”
Over the same period, retail jobs shrank by 10 percent, from 912 to 819. Hotel and food services likewise shrank from 5,421 to 4,556 jobs — a 16 percent decrease.
However, jobs categorized in arts, entertainment and recreation grew from 2,728 to 3,148 here — a 15 percent increase, owing largely to ski- and sports-related business. That sector, Alexander reported, was the only part of the local economy that continued creating jobs through the onset of the recession in 2008 and 2009, when employment went up by 85 jobs.
Less surprising to county officials was that economic growth in the county was more gradual here over the go-go 2000s than in other ski resorts, owing largely to strict local land-use codes..."
(Read more? Click title)
Here's to the little guy.
Let freedom ring.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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