SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Joblessness during prime working years worst in 23 years"

Ed Morrissey:
"Supporters of Barack Obama point to the overall jobless rate and its slow decline to argue that his economic policies have worked, and just need more time to bring back widespread prosperity. 

Opponents point to U-6 numbers and the actual number of net jobs created in his term (hint: less than zero) to argue that Obamanomics has been a failure.  Who has the better argument?  Consider a new analysis from the Washington Post, which shows just how bad the jobs situation has been all along:

The proportion of Americans in their prime working years who have jobs is smaller than it has been at any time in the 23 years before the recession, according to federal statistics, reflecting the profound and lasting effects that the downturn has had on the nation’s economic prospects.
By this measure, the jobs situation has improved little in recent years. The percentage of workers between the ages of 25 and 54 who have jobs now stands at 75.7 percent, just a percentage point over what it was at the downturn’s worst, according to federal statistics.
Before the recession the proportion hovered at 80 percent.

This captures the “missing workers” phenomenon, which the topline jobless rate ignores, and shows how poorly this recovery has performed.  Even if one counts from the beginning of the recovery rather than from the beginning of Obama’s term, we have added 3.087 million private-sector jobs in the last 34 months, for an average of 90,079 jobs added per month — too low to keep up with population growth, which adds around 120,000 workforce-eligible adults each month. 

We aren’t even really treading water but falling behind slightly over that period....)
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: ElectAd "Not Even Half"

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Ex-DA Serra released from state prison"

Paul Shockley:
"Former 7th Judicial District Attorney and convicted sex offender Myrl Serra walked out of the Colorado state prison system on Friday, four days before a previously scheduled release date.

Serra was released to the custody of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Department, according to Colorado Department of Corrections spokeswoman Katherine Sanguinetti.

The Department of Corrections earlier this month had moved Serra’s release date up to May 29, which was a full six weeks ahead of Serra’s mandatory release date. The time reduction was credit for good behavior, Sanguinetti said.

“It was a scheduling, transport logistical issue,” Sanguinetti said of the decision to release Serra on Friday, as opposed to waiting until May 29...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Legalizing drugs will only make addiction grow"

Zell Zordel:
"Why is it that when the debate about legalizing drugs is mentioned, the drug war card is played? That's because it's a crutch. Now that it is out, let us address it.

Yes, America is encouraging other countries to participate in the drug war, with $40 trillion spent since 1971. In 2010 alone, the U.S. government spent $15 billion. The reason those laws were passed is because drugs were killing Americans. With the first laws passed in 1885, this is not just a 40-year-old issue.

Those are facts. Let's look at a few others.

My original letter of May 19 was about the real potential in human lives lost. I compared it to the very real and highly used drug, alcohol. I used that baseline to show the ever-so-likely outcome we would experience if we legalized drugs. I pointed out that all of the negative criminal impacts will not go away.

Mr. Kirchenwitz, in his May 24 response, commented that “any drug use in and of itself is generally non-violent.” I suggest he ask any law enforcement officer who has ever had to deal with a violent suspect what was driving the destructive intent. Most will respond with drug use or alcohol.

Remember, drug usage is still currently at a low level. Legalization will only increase the number of addictions due to easier access....." (Read more?  Click title)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Agents Net Nearly 4 Tons of Marijuana Over Memorial Day Weekend"

"Edinburgh, Texas ─ CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector confiscated more than $6.3 million worth of marijuana in multiple seizures over Memorial Day weekend.

 

The largest seizure took place Friday evening near La Casitas, Texas, when agents saw a pickup truck being loaded with marijuana on the banks of the Rio Grande. Agents intercepted the vehicle as it traveled away from the river, however the driver jumped out and fled into the surrounding brush ─ abandoning more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana.

 

Agents made another large seizure that same day near La Casita after agents encountered a Chevy Tahoe traveling north away from the river. When the vehicle’s driver saw agents approaching, he immediately made a U-turn. Agents found the Tahoe abandoned on the riverbank and saw two people swimming to Mexico. Inside the vehicle agents found more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana.

 

Several additional seizures brought the total amount of marijuana seized from Friday through Monday to nearly 8,000 pounds. It was turned over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

 

To report suspicious activity, call the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at (800)-863-9382.

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: Aspen Daily News "City Council pushes for lodging over townhome development"

Heaven forbid that Aspen City Council would ever do an OK right off the get-go on a development project that makes a hundred times over more sense than simply building more lodging rooms.

Building townhomes and average folks housing at the base of Aspen Mountain is a phenomenal concept that will really bring cash revenues into Aspen's coffers and at a higher rate of speed than catering to the lifestyles of the rich and famous.  After all.......how many 'Hemeter Houses' and Little Nells do we need?

Here's a clue, Aspen.

Build mid-to upper tier chain lodging out at the AABC, push for high density residential that can turn over as vacay rentals by owners in downtown and watch Aspen come to life in the real world.

Turn Base Village into an ultra level casino  complex that is unique in every way and watch prosperity for everyone come to Aspen.

win win.

Are we 'sick of mick' yet?

Dorothy Atkins:
"A development project that would build townhomes at the base of Aspen Mountain instead of a lodge got a contentious initial reception from Aspen City Council Tuesday night.
 
Council voted 3-to-1, with Councilman Steve Skadron dissenting, to pass the first reading of a proposal to build 14 townhomes and 10 affordable housing apartments on the 2.4-acre South Aspen Street parcel, once planned for the Lodge at Aspen Mountain. “No” votes are a rarity on City Council first readings, which are typically a formality and precede the second reading, where a public hearing is held.
 
The proposal also includes building eight additional affordable housing units at the Aspen Airport Business Center, and the developers would pay $475,000 into the affordable housing fund to mitigate city housing requirements.
 
A previous owner of the land originally received an approval for 14 townhomes and 17 affordable housing units in 2003. Those approvals were put on hold while the former developer sought to build a project known as the Lodge at Aspen Mountain. The controversial project was never approved and the developer eventually declared bankruptcy. ASV Aspen Street Owners LLC, a group of Boston and Chicago investors, bought the site in 2010.
 
While Skadron was the sole dissenting vote, Mayor Mick Ireland and councilmen Torre and Adam Frisch agreed that they would prefer to see a lodging project  over townhomes. (Councilman Derek Johnson recused himself from the discussion, because he lives within 300 feet of the site.)...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Correct the letters containing false information"

(whisper...whisper....when is the new publisher coming to town??!!....whisper...whisper....(yes, this is a 'whispering campaign').....the little guys can hardly wait to hear if she's a real journalist who believes in standards and ethics of her industry...can hardly wait to see if she's got some moxy to stand up and just say NO to the unbridled bias, so much worse than the worst of the worst tabloid output the PI's grown famous for over the past 10 years....whisper.. whisper...can hardly wait to see if she's got a price on her soul just like Swift reporters, editors and publishers to date have had and used to sell themselves and the communities they serve down the river with nearly every edition...whisper...whisper...can hardly wait to see if she has a sense of humor and can read something like:....... "Editor's note: The Post Independent offers a forum for diverse opinions on this page. We do reject some letters that contain incorrect information, but other letters blur the line between fact, perception and opinion. We encourage our letter-writers to respond and correct what they see as errors."....(btw...the 'shadow folk' will now write in and correct your errors today, TYVM).... and laugh as hard as most are laughing today at the PI...whisper...whisper...wonder what she's going to be like.....whisper...whisper..well, we can only hope.....)

Hmmmm....let's see.  As an attorney, Ted Hess should appreciate Just the Facts, right?

Let's toss a few up:

• Setting aside the shameless use (actually in some of his press over CIRC, The Strawberry Days Massacre of 2011 and Norma Galindo Morales Gonzales the "outrageous use" is more accurate) by Ted Hess of the biased media outlet known as the Post Independent; this LTE could be seen as laughable.  At minimum, preposterous with little to no credibility.  Funny how that works and backfires on someone who manipulates and spins disinformation out onto the web.  Credibility when they want it can never come back in hand.

• Let's toss out some facts about illegal foreign nationals and the methods they use to abuse our system, our people and our laws:    Public education is a good one----every single time they sign a child up for school and declare themselves as legal citizens with a legal address they commit blatant fraud.  Gets worse when that fraudulent act of signing a registration form "earns" federal tax dollars for the "body count" of their child.  Even worse when that child then goes on to gain access to more public funds, grants and otherwise of scholarships and services.  Another good one is how much every illegal on  American soil costs every single legal American household to provide them with basic services such as public education, law enforcement, emergency services, human services and public services.  In 2010, the estimate ran right under $1,700 per year, per legal household.       Another great fact is one that can be tracked back to one of Ted Hess's own clients and his family.  David Centeno.  The cost for law enforcement, judicial system, incarceration and deportation (multiple times on all) came out of legal American pockets.  Another terrific fact can also be tracked back to one of Ted Hess's clients.  Norma Galindo Morales Gonzales and her problem with ID.  Every single time an illegal gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and drives on American soil, they commit an illegal act.  We cannot even track the cost of traffic and accident related burden that illegal foreign nationals place on legal American shoulders every day.  There you have it, a few 'just the facts'. 

For me, the most outrageous hypocrisy spoken regarding  "immigration reform" is the hypocrisy spoken by people like Ted Hess who should know better. 

Here is a respected in many areas and ways local attorney, who spouts rhetoric so lacking in credibility and thrusts his cases into the media while at the same time, for every moment of air time he takes up, there are the most inhumane methods of human trafficking happening simultaneously on our borders that Ted Hess says nothing about.

Maybe a lot less talk on Ted Hess's part and a lot more action in getting safe and secure borders would be a better use of power.  Secure the borders and stop the deaths and exploitation.

For sure, every legal American footing the bill for the media circus surrounding 'immigration reform' would be highly appreciative of finally being able to end the problem and finally sit down at the table and work out true and humane reforms.

In the meantime, the ongoing local media circus that is CIRC, AJUA, Ted Hess, Anita Sherman's and reporters hanging on every word is at least 'entertaining'.

And keeps all of us on our toes making corrections to his output in that media circus he cultivates.

Immigration Attorney, Ted Hess of Glenwood Springs:
"Shame on the Post Independent for publishing Mike Johnson's letter of May 26. Mr. Johnson, of De Beque, asked the rhetorical question, “Can anyone explain to me why the illegal-undocumented aliens get all the welfare and assistance they need?”

Undocumented aliens do not receive food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, Section 8 Housing, Social Security or SSI. (Source: Guide to Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs, 2002, National Immigration Law Center, as updated by NILC Oct. 2011.)

Any rational resolution of our immigration debate is retarded when the paper publishes letters that use inflammatory and false facts. I thought the editor had the ultimate responsibility for what runs in the newspaper. If you are going to persist in permitting people to publish demonstrably false factual information, how about printing a correction under the letter?...." (Read the original letter?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Aspen Chamber endorses ‘Colorado Compact’"

Because it is 'big money'?  Or just because it is 'big power'?

Is it because they get away with it? 

Not even law enforcement, ICE, FBI, DEA, senators, lawmakers nor prosecutors on multiple levels have gained any ground on alleged visa abuses, alleged drug use in employee ranks and on slopes, immigration laws disregarded in their entirety and workers everywhere that are literally treated like chattel and kept in near poverty with the old game of 'owing their souls to the company store' (or at least in debt for life for their visa...).

Why is an article like this one so common place, that an employer like Warren Klug with the reputation among the working class as being one of the worst in his poor treatment of immigrant workers, is even allowed to go to print?

The illegals that can read English are likely outraged to listen to this tone of ACRA, the Skico, Klug and others as being 'generous', 'kind', 'humane' and magnminous as they ride in on white horses to 'save the immigrant resort workers'.

When you're nothing but poverty kept labor, treated like chattel and scrubbing toilets to hold that pleasurable experience of such treatment....it's pretty darn tough to show any respect at all to political rhetoric like this.

Go for truly humane reform.  Pay living wages to everyone, e-verify and uphold all immigration laws and show some respect to the workers who actually make all the wheels turn in Aspen and the Valley. 

After all, it will only cost you some of the greed shaved off your outrageously profitable bottom lines.

Andrew Travers:
"The board of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) voted unanimously Tuesday to support Colorado-based immigration reform efforts.
 
Business leaders agreed to support “The Colorado Compact,” a statewide effort led by U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet to craft federal immigration reform. It had already drawn support from Gov. John Hickenlooper, other business organizations, educators, farmers and law enforcement officials.
 
The short document states Colorado law enforcement officials should focus on criminal activity, not enforcing civil immigration laws, among other principles. It calls for federal solutions to the immigration problem, to strengthen border security and simultaneously allow immigrants to continue working. It also specifically calls for policies that will not break up families through deportation.
 
“Immigrants are integrated into communities across Colorado,” the current draft of the compact reads. “We must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion. The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors.”
 
Outgoing ACRA Chairman Warren Klug, in recent years, has led the local business community’s call for federal legislation that would allow undocumented workers to gain a legal working status. He has lobbied Colorado’s congressional delegation and met with White House staffers on the issue.
 
Klug has championed immigration reform on a local, state and national level in recent years. He officially finished his term as chairman of the board of the chamber Tuesday, with Gant general manager Donnie Lee taking his place...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Hecht incident a sign of bigger problems"

Junee Kirk:
"Editor:
 
It is unfortunate that Nikos Hecht, former hedge fund trader now local developer, was so abusive to our ranger Trevor Washko, telling Trevor (according to newspaper accounts) that Hecht had contributed a million dollars to the trail system, threatening the ranger saying that he would see to it that Trevor would lose his job, then later lying about the whole incident. Such conduct is not only unbecoming, but I’m sure an embarrassment to the Hecht family and friends. At the very least, Nikos should give the ranger a written apology, and at best he could contribute that million dollars he lied about, now to the county open space program. It could certainly use it.
 
Resources for enforcement and education are limited and the open space program certainly could use such donations. This whole incident speaks to a greater problem: that all the enforcement and education will never be fail-proof. While resources are limited, what the open space board should do is to protect this critical wildlife habit by closing it off, indefinitely, to all mechanized vehicles, bikes, dogs, and hunters. 
 
When I first came to Aspen, in 1967, we had over 280,000 head of elk in this valley. Today we have only 30,000 head. The wildlife managers say they are simply not reproducing as they once did, due to the fact that their habitat has become increasingly more fragmented with trails, roads, development, and encounters with humans. Their stress rates go up radically each time they encounter humans, particularly moving bikes, autos or dogs. Wildlife experts say the adrenal glands go into stress mode, which in turns lowers their reproduction rates; hence the drastic decline over the years....." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Steamboat's mountain bike race series kicks off Wednesday"

Brent Boyer:
"Steamboat Springs — What a difference a year makes.

The start of the 2011 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series was complicated by a long, wet spring that left many Emerald Mountain trails unridable by the time the Howelsen XC race kicked off the summer schedule.

It’s quite the opposite this year, with much of Emerald Mountain’s singletrack having been open to riders since late April. And with a forecast of sunny skies and a high temperature of 74 degrees, the 2012 version of the popular city-run mountain bike race series gets going Wednesday afternoon with an expanded Howlin’ Howelsen course.

“We are ready to go,” said Kate Warnke, who is beginning her first year as Town Challenge series director.

“It should be a beautiful day.”

As usual, Wednesday’s race features a variety of courses depending on rider classification. All races start in front of the concrete grandstands at Brent Romick Rodeo Arena.

For most adult racers, including those in the pro/open, expert, single speed and sport classes, the course climbs up the Bluff Loop to Ricky’s Ridge, Lupine, Emerald Meadows, Blackmer Drive, MGM, Eye to Eye, MGM, Prayer Flag Road and finally Blair Witch. The descent starts down Blackmer Drive to Lupine, Emerald Meadows, Blackmer Drive to Long John, back to lower Lupine via the lower stock pond, and then down Upper Bluffs before crossing the parking lot by the horse stables and finishing back in the rodeo arena.

Click here for the course map...." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs; Vail Daily News "Teva Mountain Games names official app"

VAIL, Colorado — TimeRAZOR, the free, dynamic hyperlocal events app that gives users the scoop on tons of cool events near where you live, work and play, has been named the official mobile app of the Teva Mountain Games being held in Vail May 31 though June 3 by the Vail Valley Foundation.

The app, which acts as a “fast pass,” will provide users an entire listing of, and priority access to, select events throughout the entire weekend. Love the swag but hate the wait? TimeRAZOR users can skip the lines to snag all the cool, free swag gifts provided by partner brands including Teva silk screen shirts, Eddie Bauer beanie hats, Maui Jim celebrity athlete autographs, VIP passes and much more.

“By partnering with The Vail Valley Foundation, timeRAZOR is the perfect app for those with an active lifestyle and a perfect partner for this long weekend filled with tons of activities,” said Paul Abling from the Vail Valley Foundation.

“We're excited to work with the Vail Valley Foundation and Teva Mountain Games in order to provide a unique marketing mobile solution for their partners and allow their participants to spend more time enjoying the games and less time in lines,” said Carolyn Parent, chief experience officer for timeRAZOR.

To download the free app, visit http://app.net/timeRAZOR

 

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado: A spring hike on twin 14ers"

All Credit:  Kim Fenske (Click title)

SandBoxBlogs: Red State "One Metric on Impact: SWATting "

Erick Erickson:
"Last week I wrote about the Speedway Bomber and current left-wing activist Brett Kimberlin. In 2011, after writing about Kimberlin, LA County Prosecutor Patrick Frey was rousted out of bed after midnight by the LA County SWAT Team. Someone had called 911 claiming to be Frey saying he’d just murdered his wife.

Sunday night as my family and sister’s family were around the dinner table and playing outside, sheriff’s deputies pulled into my driveway responding to an accidental shooting at my home.

One deputy was in the driveway. Another blocked the end of the driveway with his car. A neighbor tells me another was up the hill from the house.

There was no shooting at my home. Someone called 911, claimed to be at my home, and claimed to witness a shooting at my home.

As the one deputy and I spoke, the other deputy walked up the driveway, positioned himself behind the car in the driveway, and kept his eyes on me and his hand on his gun. My three year old ran between us all thinking it was so cool to have a police car in the driveway with its blue lights flashing.

Luckily, after I had starting writing about Kimberlin, I advised the Sheriff’s Department to be aware this could happen.

It was a prank, but not just any prank. This is a prank left-wing activists are increasingly deploying against those who dissent from their political views. When Barack Obama told his supporters in 2008 to bring guns to knife fights, some of his supporters took him more literally than I assume he intended...." 
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: The Atlantic "The New Welfare State: Faster, Cheaper ... and Out of Control?"

Joseph Lawler:
"In 1996, President Bill Clinton ignored the protests of his liberal base and signed a reform bill written by congressional Republicans that abolished the existing welfare entitlement and replaced it with a new program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. In doing so, he fulfilled a 1992 campaign promise to "end welfare as we know it," by instituting strict time limits and work requirements for recipients and block-granting funds to the states.

Within a few years, the number of families on welfare had shrunk by more than 50 percent. When caseloads remained low and single mothers' employment numbers and wages rose throughout the 2000-01 recession, even the law's critics began to take notice. Rebecca Blank, a member of Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers and a skeptic of the reform, acknowledged in 2006 that "[e]ven the strongest supporters of welfare reform in 1996 would not have dared forecast the steep declines and continued low levels of welfare caseloads a decade later."

Despite being mostly won over by the law's robust performance, Blank issued a warning: "in the face of a major economic shock ... the current system of public assistance may not provide adequate support for many of our poorest families."

The shock Blank worried about came in late 2007. Four years later, her fears seem to have been realized. Because of the 1996 law, welfare grants can't increase to accommodate surges in needy families during a downturn. The government simply block-grants about $17 billion to the states each year, regardless of the circumstances. ..." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Red State "Failed Earmark Culture Should Not Return "

'repsandyadams' Diary:
"The 2010 election spurred hundreds of Americans to call for a change in the direction our nation was taking.  They were sick of the reckless spending of the Democrat-controlled Congress and they wanted their representative to be above the culture of corruption in Washington, D.C.   As a result, November saw 87 new Republicans elected to the House of Representatives with a mandate to enact changes to the way Washington, D.C. works.

I was proud to be one of those historic freshmen.  Over the past year and a half, I have spent my time in Congress trying my best to serve my constituents and uphold the conservative principles on which I ran.

One of those changes our freshmen class was able to achieve was to end the practice of earmarking, where legislators target federal dollars to special interest projects.  Today it is against the rules of the House of Representatives to earmark, and that is a policy my constituents and I continue to support.

Unfortunately, some in Congress, including several in my own party, have decided that taking two years off is enough time to “fix” what was wrong with earmarks.  They are encouraging the Speaker and others to bring back earmarks and use them to “grease the skids” and “help get things done.”

Some have argued that the total amount of earmarks is negligible when looking at the overall budget.  However, the real danger from special interest favors is that they can be used to influence the votes of Members so they will vote for bloated policies our nation cannot afford.


Whether it is a transportation bill that spends more of your tax dollars than is taken in by federal gas and excise taxes or annual spending bills that have grown exponentially over time, earmarks can help push bad policy over the finish line and signed into law.

By getting rid of earmarks, Members are forced to evaluate each bill on its merits.  It encourages

Members to read the actual text of the legislation, determine the positives and negatives of the bill, and then make a decision based on whether the bill is in the best interests of their constituents and the country.  When earmarks are allowed, instead of reviewing the merits of a bill, Members put too much emphasis on whether a specific earmark getting passed is more important than the underlying bill.  That makes for bad public policy and expands our nation’s debt and deficits.

Many of my freshmen colleagues and I have made it clear to the Republican House leadership that a return to the failed policies of the past isn’t acceptable to us or our constituents.  We were sent to Washington to fix Congress and end earmarking, not to endorse the big spending culture of the past.  I will stand up to any effort to bring back earmarks, and I encourage Red State readers to contact their representative and ask them to do the same.

Congresswoman Sandy Adams represents Florida’s 24th district"
(Read original article?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Morgan Stanley: Anderson Ranch is after our ‘deep pocket’"

Chad Abraham:
"Morgan Stanley, which borrowed more than $107 billion from the Federal Reserve in 2008 — more than any other bank during the recessionary crisis that year — contends a longtime Snowmass Village art institution is after the international financial-services firm’s “deep pocket.”

The conglomerate denies any wrongdoing in an embezzlement case that sparked a lawsuit in Pitkin County District Court by Anderson Ranch Arts Center in which Morgan Stanley is a defendant. The bank in March filed a motion to dismiss the case.

The nonprofit arts center sued the firm in August 2011, along with the center’s former accountant, Marlana Howell, to try to recoup more than $736,000 that she embezzled from Anderson Ranch. She is on parole after serving about 17 months of a four-year prison sentence for felony theft.

The arts center’s claims against Morgan Stanley include negligence and breach of contract. The firm is accused of failing to inquire about Howell’s authority to withdraw Anderson Ranch funds; and relying on an authorized individuals form she provided “that was defective on its face,” and which had no force or effect in granting Howell authority to withdraw money, according to Anderson Ranch’s lawsuit.

Morgan Stanley’s attorney, David Goldberg of Denver, wrote in the motion to dismiss that the company held a securities investment account for Anderson Ranch and that the ranch’s controller was authorized to give orders on the account. When Howell was hired for that job, Anderson Ranch instructed Morgan Stanley “to deal with” her, the motion says....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Deny Carbondale's request for energy impact funds"

Excellent idea from Sharon Brenner this morning.  Here on the Glenwood Springs Post Independent.

Sharon Brenner:
"I am wondering why Carbondale thinks it should get energy impact funds for its new library, especially since the town is doing all it can to fight natural gas drilling in the area. The town itself is responsible for adding significant additional costs to the construction of the library. It is retirees and trust funders who have moved to Carbondale that are driving the need for a larger library — not energy company employees. I urge the Garfield County commissioners to deny the town's request.

Just out of curiosity, if the library were oriented to take advantage of solar heating (windows) in the morning and winter, and shaded in the afternoon during the summer, how much would be saved by not installing solar panels and the accompanying controls? How long will it take to recover the costs of the solar panels?
...." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Town eyes renewal of gas lease to Antero Resources"

John Colson:
"SILT, Colorado — The town's Board of Trustees meets tonight at Town Hall to debate whether to renew more than 75 “net mineral acres” in natural-gas leases to the Antero Resources drilling company.

Town administrator Pamela Woods said the three-year agreement will bring in “about $180,000 a year” to the town's coffers.

The lease, which expired on April 29, gave Antero the right to drill for natural gas deposits deep underground in several areas within the town.

A map of the lease areas is available from Town Hall.

The measurement “net mineral acre,” according to a memo from town attorney Lee Leavenworth, is used when rights are owned by more than one party.

Leavenworth wrote that, for example, if the lessor owns 100 percent of the minerals underlying one acre, that equals one net mineral acre.

But if only 50 percent of the minerals underlying one acre are owned by the lessor, that constitutes half of a net mineral acre.

Leavenworth's memo did not contain any breakdown of the town's mineral rights ownership.

According to Leavenworth, the town first signed a lease with Antero in 2005, for a period of three years...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: KUNC "Tax Break for Beetle-Kill Wood Products Expands"

Erin O'Toole:
"As vacationers head to the Colorado mountains this summer, it will be hard to miss the large swaths of dead and dying trees caused by the mountain pine and spruce beetle epidemic. But a bill signed into law earlier this month by Governor Hickenlooper could help speed up the recovery process.

Rep. Laura Bradford (R, Collbran) sponsored the bill, which extends and expands a tax exemption on the sale of products made from wood harvested from beetle-kill trees. The tax break covers items such as furniture - as well as products like firewood, lumber, and sawdust.

Decorator Charise Buckley praised the wood's versatility last year in a Denver Post article:

The distinct look of beetle-kill pine — produced by the infestation — also strikes a chord with home design fans. Beetles invade the bark of mature lodgepole and ponderosa pines and lay eggs. The resulting larvae feed on and ultimately kill the tree.

Though the interior wood of the tree remains unchanged and structurally sound, a blue fungus carried by the beetles stains the wood, leaving telltale blue, green and gray streaks.

Bradford says removing beetle-kill trees is critical to future forest health – and with more than 3 million acres of trees destroyed, Colorado needs to approach the problem from every angle.

“We need to incentivize the marketplace to get these trees off the forest lands before there’s a catastrophic fire,” she says...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Snowmass Village tourism officials intertwine marketing with Aspen name"

Chad Abraham:
"Snowmass Village Councilman John Wilkinson often draws blank stares at other ski resorts, even in Colorado, when he tells fellow skiers where he resides.

But mention Aspen and it’s instant recognition, he said.

Snowmass tourism officials know the feeling. Last week, Susan Hamley, director of the town’s Snowmass Tourism office, unveiled a new advertising campaign that will tout the variety of activities not just in the village but also in Aspen and elsewhere in the valley.

One potential ad Hamley displayed to Town Council on May 21 features a photo of the Belly Up, the popular concert venue in Aspen.

The advert “plays up what we have here in Snowmass, what we have with our partners in Aspen and what you can get in the valley,” Hamley said. “We mention Aspen in the copy as well, saying that the combination of these two neighbors is powerful.”

But Hamley said in an email that the effort should not be construed as the town “abandoning our own identity.”

“While we’ve also always promoted Aspen arts and cultural organizations as well as bigger events there, our board would like to align even more with our highly recognized neighbor,” she said. “Aspen is a key differentiator for Snowmass ... not for all audiences but for many.”...."
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