For all of you fretting that your pit bull will be banned - Harken!
Estes Park can't ban pit bulls or red trucks. They are a statutory town with no authority to do so.
Carry on.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Step up NOW
Estes Park is a small resort community that is totally dependant on its location adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. Small is the operative word here. A strip of buildings that popped up along “the road” to a national park; it was that in 1917 and it is just that in 2006. One block off of “the road” there is no business, Town Hall is on “the road”, the waste transfer station is on “the road”, and all of the industry is on “the road”.
When there is no traffic on “the road” to RMNP there in no business.
Remember all those road side attractions on route 66; the biggest ball of twine, teepee motel rooms, world’s largest concrete ground hog, they are all history. Why? Because the interstate highway system by passed them and people began speeding by at 75 mph, to get from point to point.
People come here not to come HERE, but to go to RMNP. Estes Park has not been foresighted enough to become a stand alone destination onto itself. This is becoming a big problem to the future of Estes Park. With the advent of the internet people are speeding by Estes Park, staying a day or two in a motel on their way to some where else, over Trail Ridge to Steamboat, Winter Park, or Breckenridge. There is less and less reason to linger longer in our town. Festivals are a bore, tee shirts-got one, tram ride- mundane in the world of triple loop 100 mph thrill seekers. In the winter well the road to some where else is a dead end. Estes Park is Route 66 and ever so slowly as businesses go somewhere else your best days are behind you. A strip of condo summer second homes is not an attraction or an industry. Leadership with vision for the Town of Estes Park not RMNP, we need you now.
When there is no traffic on “the road” to RMNP there in no business.
Remember all those road side attractions on route 66; the biggest ball of twine, teepee motel rooms, world’s largest concrete ground hog, they are all history. Why? Because the interstate highway system by passed them and people began speeding by at 75 mph, to get from point to point.
People come here not to come HERE, but to go to RMNP. Estes Park has not been foresighted enough to become a stand alone destination onto itself. This is becoming a big problem to the future of Estes Park. With the advent of the internet people are speeding by Estes Park, staying a day or two in a motel on their way to some where else, over Trail Ridge to Steamboat, Winter Park, or Breckenridge. There is less and less reason to linger longer in our town. Festivals are a bore, tee shirts-got one, tram ride- mundane in the world of triple loop 100 mph thrill seekers. In the winter well the road to some where else is a dead end. Estes Park is Route 66 and ever so slowly as businesses go somewhere else your best days are behind you. A strip of condo summer second homes is not an attraction or an industry. Leadership with vision for the Town of Estes Park not RMNP, we need you now.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Wet Shoes in a Dry Season
Reading the Estes Park News over a long time, it is interesting to follow the views of some of their reporters. The paper has done a good job of informing readers of what is going on in the local area. Steve Todd is a frequent reporter and is quite the example of what is right and what is wrong with this community, as are the duo of Jim Cleary and David Tavel.
Let us start with Todd. Why would someone try so hard to miss his own point? As a member of C.A.R.E.S., he preaches kindness and the rest, probably even taking part in the ribbon ceremony in Bond Park. “Can’t we all just get along?” However, when it comes to competition to his retail store, they are all dishonest crooks giving his business a bad name. You see, that’s what we do here, bash everyone that is different.
Then there is the running battle between Cleary and Tavel. Week after week they are allowed to make issue of national issues, seldom taking a position on local issues. The guess is that they think they’re writing for some national, not local paper. Boys, boys, get a clue. This is Estes Park. But this is not the real issue that is being made here. The real issue is that like so many in Estes Park they spend their time in semi-literary masturbation addressing the “incorrectness” of the others position. Gentlemen, you are pissing on each others shoes and doing no good for yourselves or the community. Why don’t you “do lunch” and find out something you could agree on and write about that. You probably have similar numbers of readers, that way you could reach all sides. Do something constructive.
The Estesparkian has attempted to bring issues to the fore and to give direction to solving problems. You may or may not agree, but there is an attempt to solve problems, not just point them out. Such things as VOTING, RUNNING FOR OFFICE, SUPPORT HOME RULE… Let us work together to make things happen.
Let us start with Todd. Why would someone try so hard to miss his own point? As a member of C.A.R.E.S., he preaches kindness and the rest, probably even taking part in the ribbon ceremony in Bond Park. “Can’t we all just get along?” However, when it comes to competition to his retail store, they are all dishonest crooks giving his business a bad name. You see, that’s what we do here, bash everyone that is different.
Then there is the running battle between Cleary and Tavel. Week after week they are allowed to make issue of national issues, seldom taking a position on local issues. The guess is that they think they’re writing for some national, not local paper. Boys, boys, get a clue. This is Estes Park. But this is not the real issue that is being made here. The real issue is that like so many in Estes Park they spend their time in semi-literary masturbation addressing the “incorrectness” of the others position. Gentlemen, you are pissing on each others shoes and doing no good for yourselves or the community. Why don’t you “do lunch” and find out something you could agree on and write about that. You probably have similar numbers of readers, that way you could reach all sides. Do something constructive.
The Estesparkian has attempted to bring issues to the fore and to give direction to solving problems. You may or may not agree, but there is an attempt to solve problems, not just point them out. Such things as VOTING, RUNNING FOR OFFICE, SUPPORT HOME RULE… Let us work together to make things happen.
Friday, January 27, 2006
The Estesparkian has for the past four months brought this election to the forefront and will be following it in detail. Who will step forward as leaders and take the “tough love” actions that this community so desperately needs.
Open and transparent government.
Replace the town attorney with a professional minimal AV rated; the trustees need sound legal advice not a political spin doctor. The town attorney is hired staff and should not sit with the panel of elected officials; the attorney should sit with the town staff as hired staff not a town leader.
No more executive sessions.
Open public debate on important issues, no more emergency ordinances to eliminate public input.
Who is willing to step forward as a representative of the people and conduct business as general oversight of town operations and not a town department committee chairman?
If this town is indeed headed toward Home Rule, than the town trustees need to bring in staff administrators that bring the community skills and experience that are needed to manage town operations as a Home Ruled community “resort”. That would include a competent town attorney, competent town administrator, and competent town planner.
If you love Estes Park and wish to serve the towns best interest be a leader and give us back our town. If you are a candidate and are coming out of the “Good Ole Boy Rotary Commission” hold on this will be an interesting few months.
By Lisa Pogue
Estes Park voters will wield a democratic hand and change the face of local government in this year’s municipal election set for Tuesday, April 4.
Three Town Board trustee seats are up for grabs as the sole issue on the ballot so far.
Term limits have Mayor Pro Tem Sue Doylen and Trustee Lori Jeffrey-Clark’s positions open. Trustee Richard Homeier, who replaced recalled Trustee David Habecker last spring, will run against challengers to maintain his spot on the board.
The Town Board set the regular biannual election date at their meeting last week, approving election equipment rental costs at $550 of the Town’s $7,000 election budget for 2006. The April 4 election will be held at the Municipal Building in Rooms 202, 203. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Town Clerk’s office in the Municipal Building. Early voting through absentee ballot runs through March 31.
The official ballot will be prepared at the beginning of March, officials said.
Residents interested in a trustee spot on the ballot can pick up petitions at the Town Clerk’s office beginning Feb. 13. Petitions must be signed by at least 10 registered electors within town limits and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on March 3. Contact the Town Clerk’s office at 577-3702 for more information.
The future of Estes Park
A trustee since 1993 (term limits were imposed in 1996), Sue Doylen has worked under three mayors and seven different boards. Doylen is completing her final four-year term and said she thinks the trustee openings will draw moderate community interest.
“I want to see people who really care about this community,” Doylen said. “People should run because they have an interest in all segments of the community, not just one segment.”
An Estes Park trustee needs to have thick skin and an open mind, she continued.
“This is a small town and you really have to be willing to be put in a public light,” Doylen said. “Trustees need to be someone with personal integrity who can listen.
“I hope those that come after me will recognize the vision, precision and care that the people before them had in building this community. I’m concerned about the future because we’re losing a lot of history. Estes Park is coming up on 100 years and a lot of people who helped build this community are gone or leaving.”
Elected officials not only need to be excellent listeners, but must also be dreamers, added Trustee Richard Homeier.
“We need to constantly be open to input from the citizens of our beautifully, unique community, but also be dreaming and planning on making this an even better place to live and to visit,” he said. “Life is constantly changing and we as a tourist destination, a retirement community and a good place to live, may need to refine our understanding of ‘the way things ought to be’ in order to maintain our viability and quality of life.”
After eight years as an elected official, Trustee Lori Jeffrey-Clark describes the experience as life changing and said, “representing the ‘people’ is difficult, frustrating and sometimes unforgiving.”
“It’s been a privilege to work with a dedicated and professional town staff,” Jeffrey-Clark said. “If it weren’t for term limits in our town, I would run again because when all said and done, our community is about the people, for the people and by the people, even if only 20 percent come out for the vote on an average.
“My hope for this community is that Home Rule is accepted this year; that new board members elected know how to step outside the box, know when to stop studying an issue and take action and seek community involvement.”
During the last municipal election in 2004, Estes Park voters elected a new mayor and three trustees whose terms will expire in 2008. Two candidates ran for the mayor’s seat and five were on the ballot for the trustee positions.
Open and transparent government.
Replace the town attorney with a professional minimal AV rated; the trustees need sound legal advice not a political spin doctor. The town attorney is hired staff and should not sit with the panel of elected officials; the attorney should sit with the town staff as hired staff not a town leader.
No more executive sessions.
Open public debate on important issues, no more emergency ordinances to eliminate public input.
Who is willing to step forward as a representative of the people and conduct business as general oversight of town operations and not a town department committee chairman?
If this town is indeed headed toward Home Rule, than the town trustees need to bring in staff administrators that bring the community skills and experience that are needed to manage town operations as a Home Ruled community “resort”. That would include a competent town attorney, competent town administrator, and competent town planner.
If you love Estes Park and wish to serve the towns best interest be a leader and give us back our town. If you are a candidate and are coming out of the “Good Ole Boy Rotary Commission” hold on this will be an interesting few months.
By Lisa Pogue
Estes Park voters will wield a democratic hand and change the face of local government in this year’s municipal election set for Tuesday, April 4.
Three Town Board trustee seats are up for grabs as the sole issue on the ballot so far.
Term limits have Mayor Pro Tem Sue Doylen and Trustee Lori Jeffrey-Clark’s positions open. Trustee Richard Homeier, who replaced recalled Trustee David Habecker last spring, will run against challengers to maintain his spot on the board.
The Town Board set the regular biannual election date at their meeting last week, approving election equipment rental costs at $550 of the Town’s $7,000 election budget for 2006. The April 4 election will be held at the Municipal Building in Rooms 202, 203. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Town Clerk’s office in the Municipal Building. Early voting through absentee ballot runs through March 31.
The official ballot will be prepared at the beginning of March, officials said.
Residents interested in a trustee spot on the ballot can pick up petitions at the Town Clerk’s office beginning Feb. 13. Petitions must be signed by at least 10 registered electors within town limits and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on March 3. Contact the Town Clerk’s office at 577-3702 for more information.
The future of Estes Park
A trustee since 1993 (term limits were imposed in 1996), Sue Doylen has worked under three mayors and seven different boards. Doylen is completing her final four-year term and said she thinks the trustee openings will draw moderate community interest.
“I want to see people who really care about this community,” Doylen said. “People should run because they have an interest in all segments of the community, not just one segment.”
An Estes Park trustee needs to have thick skin and an open mind, she continued.
“This is a small town and you really have to be willing to be put in a public light,” Doylen said. “Trustees need to be someone with personal integrity who can listen.
“I hope those that come after me will recognize the vision, precision and care that the people before them had in building this community. I’m concerned about the future because we’re losing a lot of history. Estes Park is coming up on 100 years and a lot of people who helped build this community are gone or leaving.”
Elected officials not only need to be excellent listeners, but must also be dreamers, added Trustee Richard Homeier.
“We need to constantly be open to input from the citizens of our beautifully, unique community, but also be dreaming and planning on making this an even better place to live and to visit,” he said. “Life is constantly changing and we as a tourist destination, a retirement community and a good place to live, may need to refine our understanding of ‘the way things ought to be’ in order to maintain our viability and quality of life.”
After eight years as an elected official, Trustee Lori Jeffrey-Clark describes the experience as life changing and said, “representing the ‘people’ is difficult, frustrating and sometimes unforgiving.”
“It’s been a privilege to work with a dedicated and professional town staff,” Jeffrey-Clark said. “If it weren’t for term limits in our town, I would run again because when all said and done, our community is about the people, for the people and by the people, even if only 20 percent come out for the vote on an average.
“My hope for this community is that Home Rule is accepted this year; that new board members elected know how to step outside the box, know when to stop studying an issue and take action and seek community involvement.”
During the last municipal election in 2004, Estes Park voters elected a new mayor and three trustees whose terms will expire in 2008. Two candidates ran for the mayor’s seat and five were on the ballot for the trustee positions.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Rumor Has It
There seems to be a rumor floating around that there is a movement to declare the old visitor center a historic site which would prevent it being torn down. One might ask why is it historic? It seems it is being declared a commerative building to honor Elizabeth Mary Ann Foote who first donated money to the Chamber of Commerce for a permanent structure in Estes Park. Since this building replaced the one the Town removed from Bond Park, this structure is the replacement.
Let's see how far this movement goes. What a hoot if the Town couldn't tear it down but had to look at it through the picture windows in the new Peter Marsh building. A good reminder that the Town overstepped their bounds.
Let's see how far this movement goes. What a hoot if the Town couldn't tear it down but had to look at it through the picture windows in the new Peter Marsh building. A good reminder that the Town overstepped their bounds.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Revenues Don't Match Averages for Colorado
Isn’t it odd that the average occupancy rate in all of Colorado hotel/motels is 59.9% and well under 48% here in Estes Park? That would be an 18% drop in revenues for those who are counting. No matter how one spins it, we’ve got a long way to go to make our businesses viable and valuable. The easy measure is to see the occupancy rate, the hidden measure is the lack of sales in the retail and restaurant sectors because there is no one here.
Will the new visitor center bring more visitors? The answer to that is assuredly no. It will give visitors a warm place to stand, but it won’t increase the number of visitors. What it will do, in effect, is reduce retail sales. How? With the new visitor center comes more parking and a shuttle service to take people away from town and into the Park. A better solution for the community is to build a large parking structure in the heart of town so that people will stay in town and shop and spend money. Make it easy for them!
What a shame that study after study has shown parking to be the biggest problem this town has for both residents and visitors, and nothing gets done. This Town listens only to staff recommendations and, for whatever reason, the staff doesn’t want it.
We have a new study by the Economic Development team that will make similar recommendations that will also be turned down. The shame is that the people on the committee really feel that they can make a difference and will be forever soured on the Town and local politics when they are totally ignored. This is the continuation of the sad saga of Estes Park.
Will the new visitor center bring more visitors? The answer to that is assuredly no. It will give visitors a warm place to stand, but it won’t increase the number of visitors. What it will do, in effect, is reduce retail sales. How? With the new visitor center comes more parking and a shuttle service to take people away from town and into the Park. A better solution for the community is to build a large parking structure in the heart of town so that people will stay in town and shop and spend money. Make it easy for them!
What a shame that study after study has shown parking to be the biggest problem this town has for both residents and visitors, and nothing gets done. This Town listens only to staff recommendations and, for whatever reason, the staff doesn’t want it.
We have a new study by the Economic Development team that will make similar recommendations that will also be turned down. The shame is that the people on the committee really feel that they can make a difference and will be forever soured on the Town and local politics when they are totally ignored. This is the continuation of the sad saga of Estes Park.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Some success
CVB calls premier year big success
After enjoying four consecutive months of increases, Estes Park sales tax receipts took a disappointing plunge in November. Local revenue figures for the month rang in at $332,946 — a 10.3 percent fall from the $371,236 reported during November 2004.
This may not seem significant, but the retailers feel differently. The most popular window displays are papers covering the windows of vacant stores.
Waking up is hard to do in a town with no heart and no limits on what they will do to build themselves up while tearing down the businesses that pay their wages.
After enjoying four consecutive months of increases, Estes Park sales tax receipts took a disappointing plunge in November. Local revenue figures for the month rang in at $332,946 — a 10.3 percent fall from the $371,236 reported during November 2004.
This may not seem significant, but the retailers feel differently. The most popular window displays are papers covering the windows of vacant stores.
Waking up is hard to do in a town with no heart and no limits on what they will do to build themselves up while tearing down the businesses that pay their wages.