Steamboat Today: Viewpoints

Our View: Base area business alliance needed

There's been talk recently about how to fill the vacant lot left by the demolition of Ski Time Square, particularly because developer The Atira Group has indicated it could be a decade before construction begins. But before we get too excited about the short-term potential of the empty parcel at the base of Steamboat Ski Area, it's important to remember Ski Time Square's sub-par recent business history.

Our View: Pedal to assist cycling-related tourism

We were greatly impressed during Labor Day weekend at the ability of a local man, Corey Piscopo, to spearhead a first-time, multistage bicycle-racing event that attracted more than 300 entrants to town.

Kelley McDaneld: Rape reporting

I am deeply concerned about the fact that the Steamboat Pilot & Today did not immediately report on the recent sexual assault that occurred in downtown Steamboat Springs.

Best of the Web: Rental regulations

I am glad to see this being reviewed. Vacation home rentals are an important service in a ski town. They should keep high standards and work with neighbors but shouldn't be subject to more than is necessary, regulation-wise.

Our view: A call to action for voters

Routt County voters have less than a week to cast their ballots and turn around what have thus far been decidedly disappointing voter turnout numbers. We urge each registered voter to help determine the future of his or her community by learning about the candidates and turning in a completed mail-in ballot.

Bob Pensack: 2 boys wept

Editor's note: Steamboat Springs resident Dr. Robert Pensack, MD, is the co-author of the 1994 book "Raising Lazarus," which chronicled Pensack's struggle for survival against desperate illness. Pensack wrote the following poem about health care reform.

Our View: Right move is to sign lease with New West Inns

The Iron Horse Inn continues to be an albatross around the city's neck at a time Steamboat Springs and its residents can least afford it. The city should sign a three-year lease with New West Inns and allow the property to be managed by a company with experience doing so.

Best of the Web: More cycling trails; Steamboat 700

Our View: If petition succeeds, let the people vote

A group of citizens took the first steps Tuesday toward enacting their constitutionally protected right to petition government. Kudos to them for taking an active role in our democracy. We now hope the next Steamboat Springs City Council will allow the referendum process to run its due course and not circumvent it by repealing last week's ordinance annexing the controversial Steamboat 700 project.

Our View: We've got mail

Routt County's first all-mail election raises legitimate questions about ballot security and verification processes. Although there are no allegations thus far of voting fraud or malfeasance, we urge local election officials and election watchers to be vigilant in ensuring that the proper procedures are followed to the strictest letter of the law.

Ken Collins: Do officials care?

Dick Cheney and Al Franken. Opposite ends of any spectrum, but now there's a relationship. Does Cheney, ex-CEO of Halliburton, still loom over Congress? A subsidiary of Halliburton has a government contract for some federal business. A female worker for that company was allegedly gang-raped by fellow employees and subsequently locked in a container by her employer. She went on to sue her employer.

James A. Humphrey: Scary intersection

The intersection of Apres Ski Way and Village Drive is a very dangerous intersection for those driving north on Village Drive and coming to the intersection with Apres Ski Way. On the left, as you proceed north on Village Drive approaching Apres Ski Way, is a six-story building called Highmark on the southwest corner of Apres Ski Way and Village Drive.

Martha Drake Young: Biased reporting

With only one source of printed and electronic news in Steamboat Springs, the public is subjected to the effects of a monopoly. The blatant bias of our local papers has been clearly illustrated by the sub-headlines of the Oct. 15 edition of the Steamboat Today regarding the Kevin Bennett vs. Cari Hermacinski City Council race. A balanced presentation of the two candidates would have included an equal quantity of assets and deficits of each person. Instead, the information on Bennett bordered on being a personal attack. The quoted negative comments regarding Bennett were caustic and had no redeeming value to the voters. There were no equally demeaning comments quoted regarding Hermacinski. Balanced reporting would provide a more valuable service to the community than the current imbalanced presentation.

Aaron Wiltfong: Voting no

Hayden residents will be voting for an additional "special tax" on rental cars and lodging only: Referendum 2A and Referendum 2B.

Alicia Bernat: Thanks, Lorna Farrow

My sister, Aileen Sandstedt, shared with me the Lorna Lou Farrow Memorial Scholarship Fun Shoot featured in the Steamboat Pilot & Today a couple of weeks ago. We were inspired by Lorna's passion to shoot and her commitment to share that passion with others, particularly women.