NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- Hurricane-ravaged New Orleans is starting the nation's first free wireless Internet network owned and run by a major city, a move aimed at boosting the city's stalled economy.
The above was on the wire on 11-29-05 and points out how one community tries to solicit visitors by offering something for nothing. This would be a viable project in Estes Park and should be implemented. Park Local and others have made this suggestion many times over the past several months, but we aren't seeing it happen. This should be a CVB-Chamber cooperative marketing scheme to bring business meetings and vacationers to our Town. Let's make it happen.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Bonum commune communitatis
With only five months until we can elect three new trustees; as a public service the Estesparkian is asking you to “Design Your Candidate”.
Currently the town board tries to function like a corporate board of directors, hand grooming and appointing trustees and assigning your elected oversight onto their "TEAM". The town’s community development department is in charge of political procuring and analysis of who is town friendly and who is not. Grooming those people who will “turn a blind eye” when necessary. The town’s staff agenda has been served for the past sixteen to seventeen years now. It is the opinion of the Estesparkian that three new trustees that are not "town staff team players" and will do business in the public eye would go a long way to right the political ship and clean up town hall, next April.
What are you, Estes Park, looking for in a trustee?
Now is the time that candidates start coming out of the woodwork and spelling out their agendas.
Bonum commune communitatis: Common good of the community
Friday, November 25, 2005
How about a good old fashioned meaningful comment?
What would be a meaningful comment? Well how about the fact that the visitor center is hugely over budget and the two biggest idiots that made it happen aren’t even around to accept the blame. That would be Haebecker and Barker. Of course Baudek, Doylen, Newsome and J-C are still there and there is lots of blame to go around. One remedy would be to fire Marsh since he’s the one that convinced everyone he needed this building as his fiefdom. Let’s put the cards on the table and show Repola’s budget against the expenses. Who will they steal from to pay for this, EPURA again?
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Cruise Ship Trip Shipshape!
Having just returned from a cruise it is curious that not much has happened that these old eyes can see. The Town could sure learn from the service provided on these ships. Threating customers with respect would be a great start. So, what's new?
Any recall petitions floating around that the Estesparkian should be aware of?
Are there any new plans for curtailing spending by the Town?
Isn’t it curious that they have huge surpluses and always want more money?
Isn’t it also curious that the money first goes to these excessive salaries or is set aside for planned increases in these bloated salaries?
I must rely on you to being the blog up to date through your comments.
So, let’s hear it.
Any recall petitions floating around that the Estesparkian should be aware of?
Are there any new plans for curtailing spending by the Town?
Isn’t it curious that they have huge surpluses and always want more money?
Isn’t it also curious that the money first goes to these excessive salaries or is set aside for planned increases in these bloated salaries?
I must rely on you to being the blog up to date through your comments.
So, let’s hear it.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Christmas in Bugville!
With the recent personal attacks (very far off the mark) it merely shows that there is no unity or civility in this community. What a shame that people seem to think that making personal attacks is more productive than dealing with the issues. A recall is not a bad thing, it is just one way of addressing issues that otherwise go unheeded. If any of you have another way, let's hear it. How can we make this a better community? Certainly not by avoiding issues. What has been presented here is a number of issues that clearly shows we have somehow gotten off track;
1. Building a building that was twice voted down
2. Moving money from EPURA to the Town
3. Trying to put the Chamber out of business
And many other issues that townspeople seem concerned about.
Sometimes there is spirited debate, even here on this Blog. That should be a good thing and welcomed by one and all, even if you dissagree with the opinions. What we now seem to be seeing is an effort to place the blame for this kind of dialog on certain individuals, which is just a guessing game as to who leads this charge. That really isn't important is it? It shouldn't be. What is important are the issues and what we do about them. Let's get back on that focus and build a better community. Having Town employees leave anonymous comments to cover their bad decisions doesn't prove or improve anything. Besides, they shouldn't be on this site according to Baudek and Repola. It's just gossip.
1. Building a building that was twice voted down
2. Moving money from EPURA to the Town
3. Trying to put the Chamber out of business
And many other issues that townspeople seem concerned about.
Sometimes there is spirited debate, even here on this Blog. That should be a good thing and welcomed by one and all, even if you dissagree with the opinions. What we now seem to be seeing is an effort to place the blame for this kind of dialog on certain individuals, which is just a guessing game as to who leads this charge. That really isn't important is it? It shouldn't be. What is important are the issues and what we do about them. Let's get back on that focus and build a better community. Having Town employees leave anonymous comments to cover their bad decisions doesn't prove or improve anything. Besides, they shouldn't be on this site according to Baudek and Repola. It's just gossip.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Nitwits of Arrogance!
So, the Estes Park Views has our kiss up Repola and dimwitted Baudek lecture us on Maine politics. Nowhere could they be worse than they are here, but what in the hell are they doing in Maine anyway?
Acadia National Park is a pittance compared to RMNP. In fact, it used to be a private estate that was given to the government because it was too expensive to maintain. Acadia is, by the way, in Bar Harbor not in Bangor as one might believe from the article.
The real issue is – What’s the point? This Town government is worse than anything in Maine and anything that our State Legislators could come up with. They lie, cheat and steal from one department or another and don’t even feel bad about it. They steal constantly form EPURA and nothing is done, they steal from the rodeo, steal from the Rec district and then want the people to give them more money that they will then steal.
In a few months we have an election coming up. It would be better that we have a recall of the current administration now, and start the whole thing over again with all new people. The first to go should be Baudek and Newsome. The new board should then get rid of Repola.THEY WANT TO INCREASE THEIR BUDGET? They should be in jail for the way they spend money now, much less with even more money.
JUST SAY NO!
The Estesparkian is often asked - "what can we do?"
Start a recall before it's too late. Get involved and get busy!
Acadia National Park is a pittance compared to RMNP. In fact, it used to be a private estate that was given to the government because it was too expensive to maintain. Acadia is, by the way, in Bar Harbor not in Bangor as one might believe from the article.
The real issue is – What’s the point? This Town government is worse than anything in Maine and anything that our State Legislators could come up with. They lie, cheat and steal from one department or another and don’t even feel bad about it. They steal constantly form EPURA and nothing is done, they steal from the rodeo, steal from the Rec district and then want the people to give them more money that they will then steal.
In a few months we have an election coming up. It would be better that we have a recall of the current administration now, and start the whole thing over again with all new people. The first to go should be Baudek and Newsome. The new board should then get rid of Repola.THEY WANT TO INCREASE THEIR BUDGET? They should be in jail for the way they spend money now, much less with even more money.
JUST SAY NO!
The Estesparkian is often asked - "what can we do?"
Start a recall before it's too late. Get involved and get busy!
Slight of Hand
After watching the towns recently completed budgeting process three things are readily apparent.
They are uncomfortable with public scrutiny.
Our town government stopped operating like a town government a long time ago. Your elected officials enter into and are indoctrinated into the “culture”. When did it become us and them? Trustees are not staff; they are as a matter of fact our representatives with the task of oversight.
Our town government wants to act like a corporate entity. Town staff wants to be Vail Associates or Steamboat Resorts, and they are not. They are a statutory town government with limited local powers and authorities they deal in illusions to function, half truths and out and out lies. This act is not sustainable, it is incorrect, sooner or latter it will become necessary they function like a town government and are not capable. The town staff and trustees believe their own lies. The best magicians are illusionists, they trick you into believing its magic, and they are good because they understand it’s all a trick. Our town government believes they have powers they do not actually have, you are only fooling yourselves.
EPURA is not a town department
CVB is not a marketing District
The town staff is not the Chamber of Commerce
You have limited local land use and planning powers
Monday, November 07, 2005
BAR HARBOR OR BUST !!!
As always here at the Estesparkian we like to cut to the chase. Having watched town hall now for quite some time they are getting predictable. The 2017 gang aka Economic advisory commission, that board hand picked by staff to puppet town staffs plan to the public.
In real towns citizens commissions are elected by the towns citizens to give town staff direction on how the citizen’s monies are to be spent. Citizens at the top and the direction passed down to staff for action. Top down.
In Estes Park the opposite happens direction comes from the bottom up. Staff has something they want they form a blue ribbon panel, commission, advisory group etc., not elected by the public but hand picked by town staff. They meet for weeks on end, divide into teams headed by staff, and pointed into the predetermined direction.
Just watch:
Estes Park town staff wants a mass transit program modeled after the program in Bar Harbor, Maine. The plan is to park people in Estes Park and bus them into RMNP for the day. This mass transit plan will be the findings of the 2017 gang. Your visitor’s center is intented to be a park and ride.
Dam I’m good!!!
The Estesparkian on the job and at your service.
In real towns citizens commissions are elected by the towns citizens to give town staff direction on how the citizen’s monies are to be spent. Citizens at the top and the direction passed down to staff for action. Top down.
In Estes Park the opposite happens direction comes from the bottom up. Staff has something they want they form a blue ribbon panel, commission, advisory group etc., not elected by the public but hand picked by town staff. They meet for weeks on end, divide into teams headed by staff, and pointed into the predetermined direction.
Just watch:
Estes Park town staff wants a mass transit program modeled after the program in Bar Harbor, Maine. The plan is to park people in Estes Park and bus them into RMNP for the day. This mass transit plan will be the findings of the 2017 gang. Your visitor’s center is intented to be a park and ride.
Dam I’m good!!!
The Estesparkian on the job and at your service.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Happy Anniversary Estes Park
On November 4, 1999 the town proposed a mammoth visitor center at the intersection of 34 & 36. The citizens of the town of Estes Park VOTED NO to “big block development” do not spend our money on a new visitor’s center.
Happy 6th anniversary Estes Park town staff wanted their building; did we have a vote in the intervening years that I missed?
Every time you drive by that white over budget elephant it’s like town staff mooning you. Phaaaaaatt you just thought you knew what you wanted.
Let me see if I have this right, if you do not stand for the pledge of allegiance we will crucify you. If you thumb your nose at the electorate and spent the millions they told you not to that’s OK?
Tell me again why people don’t bother to vote around here?
Happy 6th anniversary Estes Park town staff wanted their building; did we have a vote in the intervening years that I missed?
Every time you drive by that white over budget elephant it’s like town staff mooning you. Phaaaaaatt you just thought you knew what you wanted.
Let me see if I have this right, if you do not stand for the pledge of allegiance we will crucify you. If you thumb your nose at the electorate and spent the millions they told you not to that’s OK?
Tell me again why people don’t bother to vote around here?
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Liars And The Lying Lairs That.....Oh, You Know.
"At their Aug. 24 (2005) meeting, trustees heard Lane describe a needs assessment and facility review of the existing visitors center. Lane said a building encompassing no less than 6,500 square feet would be needed to adequately meet the needs of the number of people visiting the building. The current structure only has about 3,000 square feet. Lane also compared cost estimates for an addition and remodel of the existing structure to that of constructing a new facility. Construction of a new building is estimated to cost $83,000 less than using the existing structure in an expansion project."
Repola, Marsh, Pickering- 3 Men in a sinking ship!
Repola, Marsh, Pickering- 3 Men in a sinking ship!