2007

The Estes Parkian’s Story Of The Year : 2007

Wilderness designation for Rock Mountain National Park.

Marylyn Musgrave and Mark Udall promised a comprehensive economic impact study for Estes Park before she/he would sponsor a wilderness bill for RMNP, while our Mayor didn’t understand the need for a comprehensive study of how this bill could affect our community.

Marylyn did take care of her agricultural voter base though, Grand Ditch. John and Bill wanted photo op’s while Marylyn took care of her voter base.

Did anyone ever explain why wilderness designation for RMNP would be a good thing for Estes Park?

No!

Did our elected leaders even ask?

No!

Wilderness on one side of an invisible border and on the other side Sappy Estes Park; over developed condos, go carts, traffic jams, tee shirts and greasy burgers. As soon as Fall River leaves the proposed wilderness area and enters the Town of Estes Park it is channeled in a concrete storm drain; devoid of fish, dotted with beer bottles, cardboard boxes, rubber ducks, cigarette butts, soft drink cups, pollution from parking lots, storm drainage, and occasional raw sewerage (we will not mention the kayak coarse line-o- crap from EPURA). Fall River is condo developed or concrete lined on both banks all the way through Estes Park, much like the Chicago River so familiar to Mayor John Baudeck. A visitor to Estes Park would be hard pressed to find a fishable stretch available to the public. Hopefully our new lone wolf will eat any green backed trout before it floats into Estes Park to feed on cigarette butts.

This is getting embarrassing!

“Mayor Wana Be” Bill Pinkham testified before the United States Congress in support of Wilderness designation, mumbling in a deep baritone some gibberish about marketing the area. Would someone pull “Mayor Wana Be” Pinkham aside and give him a copy of the law suit he is involved in (and loosing quite badly I might add), concerning the lawful definitions of marketing, and how a statutory community in Colorado is prohibited from any marketing activities. The Town inevitably heads back to district Court to determine the depth of their unlawful activities, that testimony will make interesting reading especially since the Colorado State Appeals Court was so articulate in their definitions. Reading is not Bill’s big suit, he prefers denial.

This is getting embarrassing!

The town sponsored a bill before the State Legislation that removes the sales tax limit for all statutory communities in Colorado. Wasn’t that nice of them? They are promoting this as opening the door for the development of a Marketing District funded by a pillow tax in Estes Park. As a Statutory community they cannot be involved in marketing, period. They are not Home Ruled, so it is not applicable to Estes Park. Denial, the gift that keeps on giving all year long!

This is getting embarrassing!

The community is currently completely divided and at war with it’s self concerning land use and condo development, advertising and marketing, open space, corruption. The Hospital Board, School Board, Recreation District, Library District, and Town Board are all holed up in their own respective shells - operating in their own obnoxious vacuums.

A community at war with it’s self - a community with no collective vision or direction – a community with a failing economy.

Why are our elected town board trustees testifying before congress on behalf of the National Park?

Why are we investing in Larimer County Parks when you do not have your own house in order?

A population that has no clue concerning it's own politics!

In 2007 an average 2,678 people per day read the Estes Parkian, representing every state in the union and serverial forgien counties.

“Those That Stand For Nothing Fall For Anything”.
Alexander Hamilton.


Happy New Year !

Is This Like A Bad Penny? He Shall Return?

Read between the lines on this one. Who said that Repola resigned? Is this a temporary change or is he finally out of here?


A seamless succession in administration
Jackie Halburnt to take over as Town Administrator [IN HIS ABSENCE]


By Becky Weller
With Randy Repola, current Estes Park town administrator, about to step down from his post in order to travel to Iraq for a position as administrative advisor, Jacqueline Halburnt is preparing to take over in his absence. Halburnt, who has been the Deputy Town Administrator since February of 2007, was officially appointed to the position at Tuesday night’s town board meeting.
“I feel honored and privileged that the board chose me,” said Halburnt. “I’m definitely looking forward to working more with the community.”
Despite the fact that Halburnt has only been in the deputy position for less than a year, many feel she has what it takes to fill Repola’s shoes.
“It’ll be a true challenge, especially replacing a person like Randy who did such a great job,” said Estes Park Mayor John Baudek. “One of the challenges will be that she’s (Halburnt) only been here less than a year. We’re looking forward to having Jackie here in the position.”
While appointments are not set in stone, Halburnt has been preparing for the town administrator position through her current post as deputy. Working directly under Repola for the last year has certainly allowed Halburnt the opportunity to learn.
“I was the Deputy Administrator in Avon for four years,” said Halburnt. “So I’m not brand spanking new at this. But I certainly never would have guessed I’d be stepping into Randy’s very big shoes this soon. And luckily I’ll be taking over an organization that knows what they’re doing.”
In regards to any future plans or ambitions as town administrator Halburnt commented on the importance of community relationships.
“Generally speaking Randy is leaving me in a really good place,” she said. “There are lots of things on our plate right now. I do really want to work on our relationship with the residents of Estes Park. Government is participatory, but we can make sure we are getting out and engaging the community.”
Another important aspect for Halburnt is her commitment to succeed despite a lack of experience.
“I will probably make mistakes,” joked Halburnt. “It’s only human nature, but I will do whatever it takes to be successful. I am really looking forward to this opportunity.”
Repola is set to step down from his duties on Dec. 21, while Halburnt will take over the reins on Jan. 1, 2008. The new administrator’s contract will run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, at which point she will up for re-appointment. Since Halburnt’s current job title allows her to take Repola’s place in his absence, there will be no need for an interim administrator during the time between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1.

HIDE-N-SEEK

There are dozens of programs and steps that could be taken to consolidate, streamline, and improve the efficiencies of the essential services provided on behalf of the end consumers, in this community. Cutting costs and improving the services, transcending politics, and better utilizing our tax dollars.

Following the laws of physics your elected leaders will choose the path of least resistance. If you do not demand accountability, you will never receive it - if you do not demand efficiency, you will not receive it - if you do not demand oversight, you will not receive it - if you do not demand honesty, you will not receive it - if you do not demand transparency, you will not get it.

If you accept excuses that is what you will get; if you allow yourself to be bullied by your own elected officials, shame on you and shame of them.

If your community has no plan, do not act amazed when you get where you never intended to be.

If you elect a schmuck, you get a schmuck; if you elect a door knob - you will continue to reap those rewards.

We asked you to describe the politics of Estes Park, and you couldn’t or you are to embarrassed to look to closely.

We are asking you in the next few months to start thinking about what you want from the leaders that you intend to elect in 2008. You did not demand an agenda from Dorla and well that’s what you are getting, nothing. Chuck L. told us four years ago he is going to "heal this town" and we elected him, Chuck we have more weeping wounds today than when you were elected. The town is more deeply divided than ever in our history.

We have found that if you actually do something, that is a sure way to not get elected or re-elected. Someone explain Larry Pesses vs Wayne Newsome. Four years ago Wayne Newsome ran on this quote "I admit I haven't done anything in the past four years but vote like John tells me". He was re-elected and you got four more years of nothing, exept more John directed votes.

Describe Estes Park in fifty words or less, and then describe our collective community vision.... please!

We looked - it should be recorded some place - where we can all access it.

We are pretty cleaver at finding things, please tell us where it is!

Vio Con Dios

Happy Holidays my friends, no matter where you may be!

Responce Requested

We keep asking local officials this question and we keep getting stone walled answers.

No one seems to want to engage us in a debate of philosophical political ideas or fixed positions No one seems to have handles for what goes on here in Estes Park. We seem to be okay with, “antiGod”…“asleep at the wheel”…and…“to serve and split”.

Active seniors move to Estes Park, and join clubs of two to ten members, and become president of them all - then in a year or two run for town trustee. We see this as more of a bridge club, than serious politics and community government.

What are the politics of Estes Park?

Cultural Conservatism

Liberal Conservatism

National Conservatism

Neo-conservatism

Paleo-conservatism

Liberalism

Entitlement

Local native – verses - seasonal citizen

Feel free using the list provided or substitute your own.

This is import boys and girls, we have trustee elections coming in April and we could see - four – new trustees in April!

Educate yourself !