ISSUE #188: The tax man cometh, but where does the money go? 2/28/21

"It is a good thing that we do not get as much government as we pay for." -- Will Rogers

Today's column takes a line-by-line look at Pitkin County property taxes, specifically the haul by various entities and the pittance allocated to others. When our tax dollars go dramatically against what we state are our community priorities and values, perhaps we should all take a closer look at our annual bills and let our elected representatives know how we feel. (I just did.)

Read today's column HERE.

ISSUE #187: A Mark for common sense on council 2/14/21

"Instead of politicians, let the monkeys govern the countries; at least they will steal only the bananas." 

-- Mehmet Murat ildan

ASPEN TIMES COLUMN

Ahhh, it's municipal election season. Again. As predicted, this year's campaign season is predictably dull, but the two council seats we need to fill warrant your attention. And participation.

As I often advocate, this year, on the first ballot, I again recommend "bullet-voting" for a candidate who represents the business community. Let's get this guy on in the first round.

On the heels of the pandemic, and with all the cries for more subsidized housing, subsidized childcare and more government handouts, it's time for a rational, common-sense business operator to weigh in.

And it warrants repeating, this is NOT a popularity contest. Nor is it a judgment of who is or isn't "a good guy." When we are talking a $140 million annual city budget, we actually need some actual skill sets on this board, as well as people who are not idealistic dreamers with their heads in the clouds and others who are crippled by analysis paralysis.

Read my column in today's Aspen Times HERE.

ISSUE #186: A Confederate flag, a swastika and a MAGA hat 1/31/21

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” – Abraham Lincoln

Today's column is a call for action by the sitting city council against one of their own, Skippy Mesirow, who manages to miss the mark with increasing regularity when it comes to his political posts on social media. Most recently, he posted a meme that he apparently thought was funny. It wasn't. But equally troubling is that council is reticent (afraid?) to censure him. As a result, his unacceptable behavior continues.

As I learned today after my column ran, many in our community feel that traditional symbols of hate are more than just okay when used against conservatives and their opinions. I was told that they are necessary. Never in nearly 13 years of publishing The Red Ant have I been so eviscerated by such vile and hateful emails, and that is saying a lot. In calling Skippy out for his tasteless and thoughtless post and questioning anyone who posts confederate flags and swastikas on social media, according to some, I am now the racist, anti-semite, white supremacist for bringing it up.

These are lovely times we are living in indeed.

Read my column in today's Aspen Times HERE.

ISSUE #185: How About Some 2021 Electioneering? 1/17/21

"We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." -- Thomas Jefferson

With the municipal elections a mere six weeks away, it's another predictably boring election season. Can the addition of 7 new candidates bring some much-needed excitement to the race for mayor and two open council seats??

Read my column from Sunday's Aspen Times HERE.

ISSUE #184: PETITION - Keep Aspen Restaurants Open! 1/10/21

"People keep looking to government for the answer and government is the problem." 

-- Ronald Reagan

SIGN THE PETITION TODAY

Please sign the attached petition to show your support for keeping Aspen's restaurants open! The Pitkin County Board of Health meets tomorrow (1/11/21) to decide whether or not to close our local restaurants in a heavy-handed attempt to curb COVID-19 cases.

Stop the madness and stop scape-goating Aspen's restaurants! If you don't want to go out to eat, fine, don't go, but don't put 1,500 people out of work. Let people make their own risk assessments regarding dining in our local restaurants!

Sign the petition HERE and help keep your friends (our neighbors) in business!

Locals, visitors and second homeowners - be heard today!!

ISSUE #183: Careful What You Wish For 1/3/21

"Your thoughts greatly influence how you feel and behave. In fact, your inner monologue has a tendency to become a self-fulfilling prophesy. " 

-- Amy Morin

ASPEN TIMES COLUMN

Ahhh, what a difference a year makes! Last year at this time, councilman Skippy Mesirow wished for fewer visitors to Aspen, even if it meant less income. Who could ever have imagined a global pandemic that delivered exactly that?! And how's that working out for Aspen?

Read my column in last Sunday's Aspen Times HERE.

ISSUE #182: They're Not All Grinches at City Hall 12/20/20

"You're a mean one

You really are a heel

You're as cuddly as a cactus

You're as charming as an eel

Mr. Grinch you're a bad banana

Mr. Grinch with the greasy black peel" 

-- Tyler, The Creator

ASPEN TIMES COLUMN

Every so often, one can be surprised by what is actually possible at city hall. Amid the pandemic, two employees have led the way by "getting to yes" on requests from the local restaurant community. "The Chalet," outside the French Alpine Bistro, a.k.a. "The Creperie," is case and point.

Read my column in yesterday's Aspen Times HERE.

ISSUE #181: Ready, Fire, Aim - The Lumberyard Misses the Target 12/6/20

"How can you make sure you never miss your target? Shoot first and whatever you hit, call it the target." -- Anonymous

ASPEN TIMES COLUMN

Council's internal battle over what to build at the Lumberyard and for whom wages on. While trying to build a project that is all things to all people, it's no surprise that there's no consensus and city staff is beyond frustrated.

Without a needs assessment to identify a target market, it's no wonder each member of council seeks to build his/her own wish list. As a result, today, it's a plan without a plan.

I can't say I'm surprised. The best thing at this point is what the project manager told them, "(Your) feedback was so all over the map that it might be time to reassess the entire design process.

Read my column in today's Aspen Times HERE.