The Last Stand
Comments by JonCasson
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On Dr. Henry R. Savage: CO2 is food
(anonymous)
July 20, 2008 at 1:58 a.m.
› Suggest removal
Uhhhh….whats your point? I dont get it…please explain. Whats a Malthusian?
On Peggy Watson: Save The Tugboat
(anonymous)
July 20, 2008 at 1:48 a.m.
› Suggest removal
Are u kidding? This is your issue you felt compelled to write a letter about?
On Skating toward construction
(anonymous)
May 9, 2008 at 9:23 a.m.
› Suggest removal
Jeep- I'm open to any and all ideas. I've been working on this for 6 years and have looked at most pieces of public land in Steamboat but I'm sure there some places I haven't thought of. If you have any actual ideas other than “downtown”, I'd love to hear them. Feel free to post here or email me at the address I posted earlier.
On Skating toward construction
(anonymous)
May 9, 2008 at 8:59 a.m.
› Suggest removal
Thanks for the follow-up comments, emails and site locations.
Knowitall- That would be an ideal location but I'm pretty sure that area is considered wetland and is undevelopable. I'll check into that one.
Arnonep- Many Colorado municipalities have pooled their risk management policies into an organization called CIRSA. Under these policies, skateparks are considered playground equipment and subject to the same safety considerations. Liability wont be an issue as long as the park is professionally designed and constructed. In fact, per capita, there are less injuries skateboarding across the US than in other traditional sports (i.e. soccer). Check out the following stats- skateboarding is not as dangerous as you might think. However- head injuries are the most common injury.
http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/He…
In regards to helmet policies, they are currently required at the skatepark but no one has the authority or even attempts to enforce it. Once the new park is built, I would encourage the city to adopt a helmet ordnance for the new park giving the police the authority to enforce it. A couple of tickets issued and problem solved. That's how it works in several other skateparks I've visited.
Thanks for the suggestion of the yurt area. I looked at it yesterday and it might be enough space, but its a little cornered between a bunch of other things. I'll get my tape and measure it out this afternoon.
Jeep- The draft master plan for Bear River was for the full 18 acre area including open space and wildlife area. The area is old sewer lagoons and need to be reclaimed and decommssioned for environmental reasons regardless of what may or may not go in there (if anything).
Lastly, one clarification from the original article. The cost for the park will not be entirely city funded. In the end, it'll be a mix of private donations, state grants and city funds. If you'd like to contribute to the skatepark, we have a fund with the Yampa Valley Community Foundation ready to take donations. www.yvcf.org
For more info on public skateparks check out: www.skatepark.org
Thanks again for the comments!
On Skating toward construction
(anonymous)
May 8, 2008 at 8:58 a.m.
› Suggest removal
Thanks for the comments and the support for this project. A concrete skatepark has been an on and off project for the past 10 years that I've lived in town and it's really exciting to know that its finally going to happen. Most of the pieces are in place to build next summer, but as some of you point out, there are some lingering issues with a site. Just so all of you know, no site is definite at this point. The Bear River site is the most likely choice. The entire Bear River Parcel was the subject of several community meetings a couple of years ago. It was identified as a possible spot for skatepark and a draft plan for the entire area including the skatepark was approved by City Council. There are some other options out there, but as of right now, Bear River is the leading candidate for the new skatepark. The Core Trail is being extended to the site and Public Works is in the process of decommissioning and preparing the site for public use. But…just like any site, there pluses and minuses.
I totally agree with the opinion that a new skatepark should be as visible as possible and a downtown site would be ideal. But- we've been waiting 10+ years for a concrete park and at some point- some compromises might have to made to get it done (and done right). If I had my way- I'd put it right on the courthouse lawn! But that's probably not going to happen. :)
So, my question to everyone calling for a downtown site is “where”? The first response would be Howelsen, but consider a couple of things about a new skatepark at Howelsen first.
1. Space/Size- In order to build a 20,000 sq ft park near the existing park, it would have to “shoehorn” into a funky corner limiting the ability of our designers to maximize the space. The current location is approximately 5-6,000 sq ft. If we were to expand to 20k, we'd go to the pumphouse (taking out the basketball hoops) on one end and into the old batting cage area on the other. On that end, there is a major gas line running adjacent to the current park creating more complications.
2. Keeping the existing park- it would be so ideal to keep the existing park AND have the rad concrete park in another location. Maybe a temporary structure over the current park during the winter…???
3. Also factor in parking and traffic…
None of those factors mean that it couldn't be done at Howie, but it isnt as ideal as it might initially appear.
If there's another location within Howelsen, that might be a different story…
Any site we look at will have good and bad things about it and I'm open to any ideas. Please let me know if you have any other suggestions and I will pass on to Parks and Rec.
Thanks again for the comments and support- this will be a great asset for Steamboat kids of all ages.
Please email me at skateboat@comcast.net if you'd like me to add you to our email list or if you have ideas/suggestions/comments.
On Triple Crown needs assurances
(anonymous)
April 22, 2008 at 12:21 p.m.
› Suggest removal
Hi Corduroy-
Sorry, my comments were supposed to be taken satirically. The people in Fruita have always been super nice and welcoming.
My point was to illustrate that we Steamboatians can be considered tourists at times just like Triple Crowners. Do we have the same impacts on Fruita that the Triple Crown has on us? Do the mtn bikers stir up the same debate down there as Triple Crown does up here?
However, I find it interesting to read your response…..insert the words Baseball, Fields and Triple Crown instead of bike terms where appropriate and you can see my point.
On Triple Crown needs assurances
(anonymous)
April 22, 2008 at 10:26 a.m.
› Suggest removal
So, I was in Fruita this past weekend to do some good old-fashioned mountain biking. The locals there are all up in arms about the influx of mountain bikers who descend on their town in the spring like “hordes of locusts.” One guy I spoke to complained “all they do is camp, they dont even spend any money in town.” Another Fruita local told me “those ski town folks are so snooty with their expensive bikes and subaru's, they should all drive big trucks so they can fit in with the locals.” I walked along the street and another local was ranting “I can't even park or get through town with all those damn mtn bikers hogging up the streets. I'm late for work cuz I have to park so far away. I can believe those people want us to build more trails just so they can invade our quiet little town every spring”. I went into the coffee shop to get some joe and I asked the lady at the counter if there was a good spot to get lunch. She snorted at me, looked down her nose at me and said “if you aint from here, I cant tell you.” All I wanted to do was ride my bike in a cool, little town.
Only Tater seemed truly happy to see me….
On Binsfield: Coulter, Dowd rude
(anonymous)
December 17, 2007 at 8:34 a.m.
› Suggest removal
Regardless of their viewpoints, at least Greg Binsfield and Ann Coulter have the courage to put their names behind their opinions.
On Council sets priorities
(anonymous)
December 5, 2007 at 8:18 a.m.
› Suggest removal
Thanks for the comments on my post. I appreciate the intelligent debate.
sbvor- thank you for your interest in my personal life and your insights on what I have done to myself. However, you simply have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. You presume WAY too much. Do you even know what the deed restrictions are? Do you assume that I was somehow manipulated into purchasing my home? I went into this agreement with my eyes wide open. The simple fact of the matter is that I had a choice. Without making this purchase, I probably wouldn't be here anymore. Just like many teachers, nurses, firefighters and other important components of our community who have already left due the high cost of living.
If the free market is the answer, why hasnt it happened? I have hopes for the Steamboat 700, but the past few large developments built in the area have been multi-million dollar mini ranches. Economics are determined by supply and demand. You build more homes and price goes down, simple as that, right? If this truly works, why has NO ONE done it?
Lastly- sbvor, you seem to believe so strongly in your ideals, why do you remain anonymous? Its pretty hard to take your opinions seriously when you dont even believe enough to put your real name behind your comments.
Boatdweller- you're right…20 years ago it was possible to purchase smaller properties and work your way up, but housing prices have so far outpaced wages, its nearly impossible to make that happen in the current economics of Steamboat. The math simply doesnt work anymore.
Finally, for those of you who asked- the YVHA deed restrictions divide the units into Low Income and Moderate Income. The Low Income units can be sold at 3% appreciation per year. The Moderate Income restriction is simply that the unit has to be sold to someone else in that income bracket.
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On Brent Boyer: Cleaning up our online comments (anonymous)
July 28, 2008 at 7:55 p.m.
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Um…yeaahhh…this has nothing to do with Freedom of Speech, 1st Amendment, Terrorism or anything remotely close to that.
If you went to a bar on open mic night, took the stage, started ranting on a political diatribe that the owner didnt like or you start insulting the patrons of the bar, does the owner have the right to cut you off and throw you out of the bar? Is that a violation of your 1st amendment rights?
Of course, the owner has that right and its not a violation of your freedom of speech. Because it's a private place of business. Just like an online newspaper! The Pilot doesnt have to allow this forum or these comments at all. They own the paper AND the website and can do with it whatever they please.
I could be wrong, but I dont believe that first amendment rights extend to anonymous postings on a private business website….if I'm wrong about that, can someone post a link or reference to the pertinent case law?
So, you have a choice to post under their rules or not. Simple as that. They are in no way curbing your freedom of speech.