SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Oh my: Deb Fischer leads Bob Kerrey by 18 points in Nebraska"

'AllahPundit':
"Granted, it’s a deep red state, but I’m surprised regardless. Kerrey served two terms in the Senate and another as governor so his name recognition is sky high; Fischer, meanwhile, was a distant third in the primary race behind Bruning and Stenberg as of just a few weeks ago. Can an almost total upstart crush one of the most successful Democrats in recent state history?
Apparently, yeah:

State Senator Deb Fischer holds an 18-point lead over Democrat Bob Kerrey in the first Rasmussen Reports survey of the Nebraska U.S. Senate race since her upset win in last week’s state Republican primary.
A new telephone survey of Likely Voters in Nebraska shows Fischer with 56% support to 38% for Kerrey who is trying to reclaim the Senate seat he retired from in 2001. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and three percent (3%) are undecided.

The question mark with all insurgent primary winners after Angle and O’Donnell is whether they’ll make so many unforced errors on the trail that voters will decide they’re too risky to roll the dice on. Richard Mourdock seems unlikely to have that problem; he already holds statewide office as Indiana’s treasurer and, from what I’ve read, operates as a seasoned pol....."
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"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Interview with Texas Senate candidate Ted Cruz"

Dustin Siggins:
"Last evening conservative favorite Ted Cruz, the insurgent candidate in the Republican Texas Senate Primary who is closing the gap as we hit less than two weeks from primary voting day, gave me 15 minutes of his time for a few questions about taxes, term limits, immigration and Sarah Palin’s endorsement. Below is our conversation.

Dustin Siggins (DS): 12 days out, you’re closing in the polls, Sarah Palin endorsed you…what are your thoughts on how things are going?

Ted Cruz (TC): The campaign is going extraordinarily well. The momentum is off the charts. Sarah Palin endorsed us last week  and we had a thousand contributions come in within 48 hours. We have conservatives of all stripes backing us: grassroots leaders, Republican women – everyone is coalescing behind our campaign.

DS: In a recent interview with Kathleen McKinley at Smart Girl Nation (transcript posted at RightWingNews.com), you said you opposed Democratic amnesty proposals as well as “Democrat-lite” proposals from Republicans. Can you elaborate upon this a bit?

TC: We have a crisis on illegal immigration. Neither party is serious about stopping it. I strongly oppose illegal immigration. I categorically oppose amnesty. I support legal immigrants who come here supporting the American Dream.

I come from the perspective of someone who spent much of my adult life in law enforcement. In a post-9/11 world, it is absolutely unacceptable that we don’t know who comes over our borders. We need to do everything humanly possible to secure the borders. Electronic surveillance, a wall, helicopters and, most importantly, boots on the ground. If elected, the first thing I will do is triple the U.S. Border Patrol.

We should celebrate legal immigrants. No matter the party or the politician, I oppose amnesty. Amnesty is contrary to the rule of law and is unfair to legal immigrants who wait years or decades to come here legally.

When it comes to illegal immigration, conservatives often feel like Charlie Brown and Lucy with the football. The 1986 amnesty was allegedly to secure borders in exchange for amnesty, but the borders were never secured. We should not fall for that again.

A better immigration system is both possible and simple. First, we enforce the law – securing the borders will stop the inflow. Second, put in place a strong E-Verify program. The lack of jobs will dry up the magnet for being here and illegal immigrants will leave. America MUST remain a nation of the rule of law, and non-enforcement of illegal immigration undermines that....."  (Read more? Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Right Scoop "Hannity: Representative of Koch Brother’s responds to being singled out"

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Heroin suspect is jailed twice in 24 hours"

Another western slope heroin story.  It's been awhile since 'SandBox Nanny' thanked all of our agents, agencies, task forces, deputies, police and border agents for their tireless and dedicated  work toward removing these deadly drugs from our communities and protecting us from all the ramifications and associations that go along with any drug use.

Thank you.

You are appreciated very much.  By far more people you serve than I think you know.

Paul Shockley:
"A Colorado Mesa University student was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of dealing heroin, less than seven hours after he posted bond at the Mesa County Jail stemming from his arrest the night before for the same charge, according to court records.

Cameron C. Coon, 22, 2813 C ¾ Road, was ordered Thursday to be held on $25,000 bond, cash only, after his second arrest in a little more than 24 hours for suspicion of distribution of heroin, among other related charges.

“Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me,” County Judge Craig Henderson said during Thursday’s bond hearing.

Henderson on Wednesday had set bond after Coon’s first arrest at $50,000, personal recognizance.

The bond type allowed Coon to leave the jail with a simple signature around 3:35 p.m. on Wednesday after appearing before Henderson, according to jail records.

An arrest affidavit said Western Colorado Drug Task Force officers were watching Coons’ Orchard Mesa home Wednesday and arrested Clay Girtman, 22, who was observed leaving the home....."

SandBoxBlogs: CIRC "AJUA and CIRC Celebrate Norma's Return Home!"

(The Galindo/Morales/Gonzales family can thank long-time local 'Anita Sherman' for this related link and public comments. Due to the inflaming of the Norma story by Ms. Sherman on the above link, comment ability on this post is blocked.  )

All story and photo credit:  Colorado Immigration Rights Council/CIRC:
"Basalt, CO - The Morales family, AJUA (Asociación de Jóvenes Unidos en Acción), the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), and thousands of concerned Coloradans and activists nationwide, are celebrating Norma Galindo Gonzalez's (Morales) return home from the ICE detention facility in Aurora on Friday evening, just in time to spend Mother's Day weekend with her family and see her son graduate high school.

On May 1^st, ICE detained Norma Morales, a respected and admired community leader. On Friday, May 11^th, after a 10-day campaign led by AJUA (Asociación de Jóvenes Unidos en Acción), Norma was released.

Her son, Hector, worked tirelessly with AJUA, elected officials, media, and thousands of Coloradans who sent faxes, made phone calls, wrote emails, and hounded the press until his mother came home - in time for his graduation!

Said a jubilant Hector: "Reuniting with my mom was of great relief to my family. It feels amazing having her back home, and I am grateful for everyone that helped us during the difficult period we had to go through."

AJUA leader Edgar Niebla expressed their sentiments on the announcement: "We are happy that ICE recognized that removing Norma would have been an enormous mistake, and detrimental to our community. And on behalf of AJUA, I would like to express their gratitude for the incredible outpouring of support for young individuals and their families, who strive for justice, civil rights, and education throughout the state of Colorado."

Perhaps the most powerful and heartfelt statement comes from Norma herself: "Being without my family is the hardest thing I have had to experience. Just the thought of missing one of my son's most important events in his life is heartbreaking. I am deeply grateful for all the people who helped me come back home."...."
(Read the originial story?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Citizen Telegram "No rock climbing at Rifle Falls"

via Citizen Telegram:
"The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission denied a petition that would have allowed rock climbing on property at the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery.

At their meeting last week, commissioners based the decision on concerns about an active golden eagle nest in the immediate area, diversion of wildlife funds, safety issues, parking problems and potential damage to sensitive hatchery and water equipment in the area.

The Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery was built in 1955 and was the largest trout hatchery in the world at that time. The hatchery raised about 3.7 million fish last year and is responsible for about 40 percent of the cacheable trout in the state hatchery system....." (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "‘Everyone can get down' at State Bridge"

Caramie Schnell:
"If there's one common thread weaving its way through the lineup of bands playing at State Bridge's opening weekend, it's “Colorado music staples,” said Scotty Stoughton, the talent buyer and event operations manager.

“(The weekend's bands) are a ton of fun and appeal to a huge demo(graphic),” he said. “We'll have families out there, cowboys there, river rats there. And everyone can get down to the music I'm booking for this weekend.”

Last summer marked the revival of the outdoor music venue, which burned down in 2007 and was rebuilt into an outdoor ampthitheater. The past few weeks a crew of people have been volunteering at State Bridge, getting it ready for the summer season, which starts today.

“We are creating a really great family of folks up here. We have made some minor tweaks but mainly just blew off the winter dust and got her ready,” Stoughton said.

Friday through Sunday the riverside venue hosts a slew of musicians. WhiteWater Ramble, a mandolin-fiddle-acoustic guitar-upright bass-drums outfit from Fort Collins, kicks things off Friday night with its bluegrass-tinged rock with everything from house grooves to roots Americana thrown in for good measure....."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Sunset and clearcuts …"

( I know...I know...it's far from 'morning' now....just look at the nice photos and hush.....it's busy times...)

All credit Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — A few images from the daily peregrinations along the shore of the reservoir. I usually try to assiduously avoid the clearcut areas in photos because really, who wants to see pictures of stumps. But every now and then, it’s probably a good reminder, especially with a warming climate that may very well bring additional blight to high country ecosystems....."
(See more?  Click title)

SandBoxBlogs: Red State "Cleaning Up the GOP Moves to Texas "

Bravo! Bravo!  Long live the Kingmaker, Erick Erickson.  Somewhere out there with his Red State.

Erick Erickson:
"Late last evening came word that House Republicans intend to keep parts of Obamacare. Even if the United States Supreme Court throws the whole law out, House Republicans intend to resurrect portions of Obamacare. House Republicans publicly say the story is wrong. I’ve talked to several House Republicans who tell me the story is actually on the money and the Republicans now denying it are really playing at semantics.

These House Republicans tell me these denials about the accuracy of the story are equivalent to the House GOP semantically arguing it was living up to its Pledge to Nowhere requirement for $100 billion in cuts that actually amounted to something like $34 billion. Conservatives in the House of Representatives tell me explicitly to go with Politico on this and be very wary of the House GOP Leadership when it comes to repeal.

It is a sad time for the Republican Party. The base must treat its leaders as if they are Soviets — trust but verify their statements. And lately, it is harder and harder to verify their statements. The work of the Tea Party must continue or within a decade I honestly do not believe the GOP will be one political party.

In both Indiana and Nebraska, the Tea Party has continued to make gains. People have flat out rejected the establishment favorites for U.S. Senate – Dick Lugar and Jon Bruning, respectively – in favor of candidates who offer a challenge to the status quo.

Will Texans prove what they’re made of and do the same?

I love Texas. But let’s face it – the Texas congressional delegation is mediocre at best and leaves much to be desired.

Now, Texas has the chance to get it right – by sending Ted Cruz to the U.S. Senate. But will they? Maybe. But we have a lot to do and the Republican Primary in Texas is only 2 weeks from today.

But the payoff would be worth it – this is Texas for crying out loud. We’ve been given the opportunity to replace long time thorn in our side, Kay Bailey Hutchison, with an actual honest-to-goodness conservative. Ted Cruz is that conservative. David Dewhurst is not......"
(Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Newsmax "14 Congresswomen Blast Obama in 'War on Women'"

Here's to the ladies of the Grand Old Party.  God bless my America.

Newsmax wires:
"Democrats’ attempts to paint themselves as defenders of women and Republicans as insensitive to female concerns has no basis in reality, 14 GOP congresswomen write on Politico.

“Democrats have been accusing Republicans of waging a ‘war on women,’ as if some honest disagreements between the parties — over matters like how an Obamacare mandate should affect religious institutions or the proper scope of federal law on tribal land — constitute a deliberate GOP campaign to take away women’s rights,” the women say.

“Nothing could be further from the truth, and Republican women have been at the forefront exposing these myths. Let’s face it: Republican women — like us — would never be part of a party that didn’t believe in women’s rights, equal pay for equal work, and strong laws against sexual violence. The Republican Party believes in all of those things.”

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state, vice chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, launched the campaign on Monday, with appearances on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews and CNN’s John King, USA.

“The Democrats are creating a controversy where it doesn’t exist,” McMorris Rodgers said on Hardball.

“It’s a myth to say that we are waging this ‘War on Women.’ The Violence Against Women Act – I am confident that it will be reauthorized. There are women like me – Republican women – who are committed to it; it’s a very important program."
She said President Barack Obama was the one who sparked the issue of who pays for contraception funding, through the Department of Health and Human Services. "It wasn’t the Republicans, it was the president, McMorris Rodgers said.

"They’re creating distractions. They’re trying to divide America. And they’re really trying to distract women from the real issues that face this country. Women are concerned about the economy. They’re concerned about the debt.” She told CNN's King, “What the Democrats recognize – and why they’ve calculated and put together this ‘War on Women’ is because they know it was the Republicans who won the women’s vote in 2010."  That year, Republicans earned a majority of female votes for the first time since Ronald Reagan was president.

In the letter, the congresswomen said that what women really want is empowerment, independence, and equal opportunities without special favors. And it’s Republican policies rather than Democrats’ big government that can fulfill those ideals....."
(Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall/Chuck Norris "The Feds' Intrusions Into American Farms and Families"

Rick Perry.  2016.

Chuck Norris:
"After a national decry by American farmers (and all of us who support them), the Obama administration has just shelved its plan to severely restrict kids younger than 16 from working on family farms. But mark my words. As the feds often do, they merely are regrouping to march again on those great American homesteads.

Part of the very words of the U.S. Department of Labor's "withdrawal" statement: "The Department of Labor is announcing today the withdrawal of the proposed rule dealing with children under the age of 16 who work in agricultural vocations. ... To be clear, this regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration."

"Will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration"?

So, until Jan. 20, 2013, right?

Kudos to the bipartisan group of 98 members of Congress who sent a letter to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis protesting this rule, which would have severely limited teenagers and younger children from learning the family trade, not to mention undermined the very business fabric of rural America. It might sound legislatively crazy if it weren't coming from one of the most overextended federal governments in the history of the U.S.

According to The Raleigh Telegram, "the rule would have prevented children younger than 16 from doing 'agricultural work with animals and in pesticide handling, timber operations, manure pits and storage bins' while also forbidding them from using 'power-driven equipment' and working in the 'cultivation, harvesting and curing of tobacco.'"

Can you imagine? What's next? The feds' crackdown making it illegal for kids to wash dishes, because a knife might cut them? No grinding up food, because the garbage disposer might malfunction and start suddenly while their hand is in it? No more cooking or ironing, because their hands might get burned? No more housecleaning, because the Environmental Protection Agency has designated the mixture of certain cleaning chemicals as hazardous to touch or breathe in?

Let's get real, folks! How far do the feds have to mingle in our manure before we say enough is enough? How far do we have to slide down the slippery slope of socialism before the descent becomes irreversible, before we say, "Welcome to Greece"?..."  (Read more?  Clickt title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: National Journal "Romney raises $40.1 million in April"

That's a lot of love, at $250 per or less from the little guys.

Jonathan Miller:
"Romney’s campaign reported $61.4 million cash on hand as of the end of April. The campaign says that 95 percent of the donations in April were $250 or less."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Their freedom is your freedom"

Wonderful op-ed column out of Maurice Emmer today.  Up on the Aspen Times.

"Do you understand federal election finance law? If so, you are ahead of most Americans. You are ahead of most news readers and commentators, and you are way ahead of President Obama. (See his distortion of the Citizens United decision in his January 2010 State of the Union address.)

Why is this relevant almost 30 months later? Because this year's important elections will be enlivened by outraged and mostly misinformed criticisms of big-money spending on political speech. However one feels about it, one ought to be informed about what the rules really are and why before deciding what should or shouldn't — or indeed can and cannot — be done about such spending.

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases dealing with campaign finance for more than 45 years, since Congress started passing restrictions on contributions and spending in the 1970s. The problem with the restrictions was that spreading a political message requires money, so limits on contributions and spending are limits on political speech. Courts analogize the level of political spending to the size of a person's megaphone (or loudspeaker). The First Amendment proclaims that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” This prohibits limits on the size of the megaphone. A law that limits contributions or spending does limit the size of the megaphone, abridging the freedom of speech.

Given the fundamental importance of free political speech, the Supreme Court has struck down many campaign finance and spending-law restrictions that it found abridged the freedom of political speech....."
(Read more?  You should.  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Reasons to leave the Democrats"

This Letter to the Editor from liberal Chad Klinger feels like manna from heaven.

Thank you, Chad!

Chad Klinger:
"In his letter “Reasons for Leaving the Republican Party” on May 12, Thomas Rutledge describes his “awakening,” after 45 years, to the realization that the “Tea Party, Paul Ryan, Ayn Rand, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, fundamentalist Christian” party has no place for him.

I've had a rather different epiphany. Having voted for Johnson, Carter and Clinton (twice), I now find myself viewing Democrats as the party of Saul Alinsky, Frances Fox Piven, Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayres, Van Jones, ACORN, anarcho-communist Occupiers, atheists, abortionists, shameless corruption (The Chicago Way), fiscal insanity (The Sacramento Way), Big Brother (in every way Orwell imagined), racism (the anti-white Justice Department way), class envy and class warfare.

Not only does this party have no place for me, I feel that it despises me because I'm white, Catholic, and an advocate of individual freedom as underwritten by the United States Constitution. Most of all, because I believe in America — what's left of it.

I remember the days when people complained that there were no real differences between the two parties and their candidates. To be sure, whomever we elect, it's always greatly about money and power, but factoring out such human constants, there sure are differences now."
(Read the original letter?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Fire mitigation efforts restart in Stagecoach"

(See related investigative report from Bob Berwyn off the Summit Voice here)

Matt Stensland:
"Steamboat Springs — For the second summer, grant money is allowing firefighters in South Routt County to help residents protect their homes from wildfires.

“We’re going to create some good fire breaks up there with these projects,” Oak Creek Fire Protection District Chief Chuck Wisecup said Wednesday while firefighters were completing their annual physical fitness test.

The $173,000 project includes the cost of equipment and for three firefighters to work in the Stagecoach area this summer. Another firefighter will join the project later to help burn slash piles once the snow begins to fall. Wisecup said the fire district is contributing $15,000 in cash for the project and $87,000 in other services, including use of equipment, administrative costs and housing. The Colorado State Forest Service is providing $71,000 for the salaries of the firefighters.

The work of the fire mitigation crew will help supplement the efforts by homeowners in the Stagecoach area, where miles of county roads meander through forests filled with dead lodgepole pines. Wisecup estimated the mountain pine beetle epidemic killed 75 percent of the lodgepole pines in the Stagecoach area, leaving behind a tinderbox that continually threatens homes in nearby subdivisions....."
(Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Scott Turner: Don't let victims' rights fall to partisan bickering"

Scott Turner:
"...As is usually the case, both sides have some valid points. However, whatever merit either party's position may have will be lost in the partisan rhetoric of an election year. Regardless of your position on these amendments or your political affiliation, the fact remains that failure of Congress to renew this legislation in some form could endanger victims and extinguish many of the gains that have been made in the past 18 years.

It is fitting that such an important victims' issue was heard during National Crime Victims' Week. I urge you to contact your representative in Washington and tell them to pass the Violence Against Women Act, whether it be in the original form or with amendments. The only way the vision of victims' rights can be extended to everybody is if they can set aside politics and do what must be done.

Scott Turner is an assistant district attorney and candidate for district attorney in the Fifth Judicial District, which includes Summit County."
(Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Hummer joins Routt County Sheriff's Office fleet"

Matt Stensland:
"A Hummer transport vehicle has been added to Routt County’s fleet to help the SWAT team with its tactical operations.

“The price was right,” Sheriff Garrett Wiggins said. “It was free. All we had to do was go down and get it.”

The Hummer is essentially being loaned indefinitely to the county by the U.S. military, which is replacing its Hummer fleet with vehicles that are armored. There are hundreds of them being made available to law enforcement agencies across the country. Routt County’s 1996 Hummer has about 6,000 miles on it and was picked up from the Front Range.

“It runs good,” Wiggins said....."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "CBP Seizes Cocaine Hidden in Refrigerated Container at Red Hook Terminal"

"New York, N.Y. — U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Port of New York/New Jersey discovered cocaine hidden within a refrigerated container at the Brooklyn terminal.

On May 7, CBP officers from the Port of NY/NJ conducted an inspection with U. S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents of containers at the Red Hook Container Terminal, destined for Antwerp, Belgium. While examining a refrigeration unit, CBP and HSI discovered 11 brick shaped objects concealed within the container. The contents of the packages tested positive for cocaine and contained approximately 24.6 lbs. (11.2 kg) of cocaine.

Cocaine is a dangerous narcotic and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “Our officers work alongside HSI agents daily in protecting the American people from these illicit substances.”

 

This case is still under investigation and no arrests have been made yet.

 

All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws."

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Newsmax "Autopsy: Trayvon Martin Had Knuckle Injuries"

Newsmax:
"Autopsy results show that Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old whose shooting death in Florida has turned into a national controversy, had injuries to his knuckles when he died, Orlando TV station WFTV reports.

That evidence could back up George Zimmerman's claim that Martin beat him up before Zimmerman shot and killed him. Zimmerman said that Martin broke his nose and slammed his head on the sidewalk before Zimmerman opened fire.

The autopsy found that Martin had broken skin on his knuckles. Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O’Mara declined to comment on that evidence.

But WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said it helps the defense, as Martin’s knuckle injury appears much less serious than Zimmerman's bloody head wounds. “It goes along with Zimmerman's story that he acted in self-defense, because he was getting beaten up by Trayvon Martin,” Sheaffer said....."
(Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Snowmass Sun "Questions pile up about Base Village"

Update on May 19, 2012:

How much is Pat Smith of Related Cos and the same Pat Smith as a human being, "worth"? 

"Worth" more than say....Scott DeGraff?

"Worth" more than say....Tom DiVenere? 

How important is it to track the real money path? 

Not just the surface money. 

But every dime of late fees, charges, interest fluctuations as against cash flow, cash flow that is literally hijacked for years but then ending up right back at the same point of ownership as there was prior to the hijacking?

The money path of the collateral damage to everyone involved, including the communities, workers, vendors, suppliers and every dotted i and crossed t in-between?

Whose job is it?  The job of figuring out if harm has been done to someone with the former power of Pat Smith and all he touches?  The job of a reporter?  The job of voices in the shadows?  Or is it the duty of authorities to find out the real money trail and what happened?

Who decides whose job it is?  Is there really anyone in control of the laws?  Or do we even have law that covers this growing pattern of corrosive and systemic financial destruction of a powerful entity?

Personally, I am very sorry to hear Pat Smith is not involved in the present rebirth of Base Village.

After all, a person of such talent, vision and moxy to create such a wonderful concept and vision for a community he cares for and who now has a birdseye view from the sidelines of how far off course having not an authority in sight or his voice being listened to for years, Snowmass Village and the world of Aspen, Colorado really is.  It is a loss to not have Smith on board and should be of serious concern that success is going to be possible at all in the end.

I personally hope that view from the sidelines, as he watches the fruits of giving everyone what they asked for as an outcome come to pass, is a view that eventually holds the success of his original creation.

The best absolution, vindication and protection for those one leads through crisis is to forgive and live a happy life.

Here's to the outrageously profitable success (eventually) of the Base Village project.

On a side note, I also personally think Johnny Boyd's idea of an ultra high end casino (think Monte Carlo) is a fantastic idea...
__________________________________________________
Original post on 5/17/12:
I'm having a very busy day today and will come back to this post with some commentary later on today or tomorrow.


 Brent Gardner-Smith:
"SNOWMASS VILLAGE — When Related Cos. announced May 1 that it had reached an agreement to buy its Base Village back from four European banks and settle ongoing litigation with those banks, executives at the private real estate company characteristically left many questions unanswered.

But after talking with a number of sources close to the deal, a few blanks can be filled in.

Is Related alone in the deal to acquire Base Village?

Yes, and no.

There are no other development partners besides Related, but there is a new financial lender involved who has not been disclosed, according to Snowmass Village Town Manager Russ Forrest.

Forrest was briefed on the deal earlier this month along with Snowmass Village Mayor Bill Boineau by representatives from Related, the banking consortium and Lowe Enterprises, which has been managing the asset for the lenders during and after foreclosure.

Pat Smith has no role in the new deal for Base Village, according to Forrest.

Smith, a developer from California, brought Related to Snowmass Village. He served as the first local point person for Related WestPac, the joint venture entity formed by Smith and Related Cos. to buy and develop Base Village and redevelop a long list of other property in Snowmass as part of a $2 billion project. Smith did not respond to requests for comment.

Aspen Skiing Co. is not in the deal either.

“We are not a financial partner with Related in any way on the Base Village project,” said Skico spokesman Jeff Hanle.......

.......The $96 million figure, however, might have been put forward by the banks for tax purposes, and might not have been the banks' desired selling price.

Related originally took out a $520 million acquisition and construction loan from Hypo Real Estate Capital Corp. and other banks in 2007, which was enough to build most, but not all, of the project.

In early 2009, Related defaulted on its loan package and was sued by Hypo Real Estate Capital on behalf of the lending consortium.

By 2011, the banks said Related owed them $399 million in principal, $90 million in interest, $3 million in attorney's fees, $2.7 million to pay for the receivership during foreclosure and other expenses. In all, the banks were seeking $507 million from Related.

In a foreclosure sale in November 2011, the banks put forward a credit bid of $138 million to take possession of the asset.

Related had earlier countersued the banks for failing to keep lending it money to build the project. The company told the court it had lost $213 million in investment funds in Base Village, as well as the chance to make $193 million in profits on the sale of $1.3 billion worth of real estate.

Once the deal closes, the transaction price will be disclosed, but it is not clear if the transaction price will be a clear indicator of the true market value of the project, as it might have been had a new developer stepped in to buy the project...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."