Our View: Time for 700 education
The dust is settling after petitioners’ signature-gathering campaign to get Steamboat 700 to a public vote. The Let’s Vote committee has gotten the required number of verified signatures, and all that remains — if the petition is not challenged — is the Steamboat Springs City Council’s decision about whether to kill the Steamboat 700 annexation ordinance or send it to city voters.
Our View: Thankful for man-made snow
We were reminded this week that there is ample reason to thank Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp.’s snowmaking, lift maintenance, slope maintenance and grooming crews (as well as staff we’ve failed to mention) for the many hours of work that go into getting the mountain ready to ski for the November holiday.
Our View: Permit fee increase not so cut and dry
Logic says it’s counterintuitive to raise building permit fees during a construction slump, but deciding whether to approve the Routt County Regional Building Department’s controversial proposal is not so black and white.
Our View: 1st step is the hardest — and most important
The onset of winter means a lot of things here in Routt County — the excitement of another ski season, the promise of increased business in the local economy and the anticipation of celebrating the holiday season with friends and family. But it also signals the time of year when depression is most prevalent and when suicidal thoughts and attempts peak.
Our View: Taxpayers deserve better
Taxpayers of Northwest Colorado deserve a clear and honest explanation for why our regional Board of Cooperative Educational Services overspent last year’s budget, withheld federal funding from districts and increased what it said districts would owe in 2009-10.
Our View: A salute to our veterans
They come from all walks of life, but they share a single, unmistakable bond: selfless service to our country. And for that, we owe them all a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Our View: Jump right in, City Council
A new Steamboat Springs City Council will be sworn in Tuesday night at Centennial Hall, and once the mostly ceremonial first meeting is complete, council members quickly will be immersed in a number of important and timely city issues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our View: Kudos to council for budget move
Tuesday was a good day for Routt County's human services, environmental and arts and culture nonprofit organizations, and it couldn't have come at a more critical time. But as winter edges ever closer and economic forecasts continue to point toward a slow 2010, it's important that local efforts to provide services to our most needy residents don't wane.
Our View: Council should approve Steamboat 700
The annexation of Steamboat 700 isn't about today, tomorrow, next month, next year or even five years from now. It's about the long-term future and growth of our community, and although that may be a difficult goal to focus on amid an economic recession, it's the proactive approach our elected officials should take and are taking.
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