Karen and Scott, I have been advocating the idea of a "Blue Book" also and agree with you, that the Let's Vote group and the developers of Steamboat 700 should each chip in for the cost. As Scott suggests, we need an impartial person to research the facts, present unemotional pro and con views and present accurate answers to questions. The Let's Vote group will never have the kind of financial resources that the developer has for marketing, so this idea insures a level playing field.
I've also wondered about creating a similar process to that which occurred after the first vote for a new high school failed some years ago; I think it was called 10 plus 2 after the number of separate citizen committees that were formed to investigate and report back with recommendations on each committee's assigned issue. It was a very effective process and ultimately the community voted yes to a remodeled "new" high school, with various new approaches to education. Our elected school board at the time of the first vote thought they were putting forth what was the best idea for a new high school, but the community did not agree and voted it down. Sometimes, citizens must act as a check and balance, in relationship to the elected branch of their government at the local level. It's all a process to get a result that works for the good of all.
I would like to advocate the idea that our community go about this vote in a civil and respectful way. Having a different opinion than your neighbor does not have to mean that we need to label them wrong, bad or stupid. Steamboat Springs is celebrated for it's friendly, western, small town atmosphere; let's live up to that description.
First of all, I really don't understand the value in writing personal attacks in these comments, particularly if you don't sign your name. We are witnessing an election between two good people of Steamboat Springs. Those that are privileged to vote are responsible for getting information that is true and factual. Many of us believe that the news media provides that forum, but sadly in this day and age, words and facts are twisted and misrepresented. It seems that our system of elections from the national level all the way down to local races has degenerated into mean spirited character assassination, and who has the most money to get that negative message across.
The Steamboat Pilot and Today has obviously been in favor of Steamboat 700 and anyone who has the audacity to disagree publicly, becomes their target.
The need for a public vote on local issues really varies depending on the times and the importance of the issue. If Kevin Bennett would like to advocate a public vote on a current issue now, why does that even merit a newspaper article? If the people of Steamboat Springs would like to vote on a single annexation that will increase the population of the year round community by 50%, why not?
I've always been interested and participated in our local politics for these last 32 years, and maybe one of the most frustrating aspects of trying to figure out for whom to vote is the inability or unwillingness of many candidates to state opinions on real issues. I respect both Kevin Bennett and Kari Hermansinski for being very informed and knowledgeable candidates. I applaud Kevin for making his opinions on our local issues clear.
Sureva Taylor's obvious attempts to smear Kevin Bennett's good character is a reflection of our national politics at its worst and I find it shameful. I'm amazed that people have the courage to SERVE our community, when stunts like this are pulled. We have some very serious issues facing our community and I'm amazed that Rotary even considered this question relevant. I'm embarrassed for Rotary and our community. Kevin has already proven himself in his years of service on Council, so why was a mistake of his youth relevant in the current campaign? Let's keep our eyes on the ball, which right now is Steamboat 700.
Here's a question for home composters? What do you do with noxious weeks? My research tells me it's very difficult to kill the seeds in the compost process? I'm not sure if burning is the best idea and I think there was an article in the paper that recommended sending them to the landfill. Anyone know about this?
This is wonderful!! Is there hope in the future that all households can also have compost material picked up? My daughter has that service in Denver now and it works out great. Thanks for making this happen YVSC, and Twin Enviro, Smartwood, Ski Corp, TIC and other businesses for helping to get this going.
Thanks for an interesting explanation of the town's water situation and for making it crystal clear what the impact of these huge annexations would be on just one aspect of our community. I still do not understand why council is even considering adding over 2,000 homes to our town. Only a small percentage is required affordable, so where is the benefit? If only 2.5 persons live in each of those new homes, we have increased the permanent population of Steamboat Springs by 52%. Is there anyone in our community clamoring to make our town a bigger city, other than developers? There seems to be such financial risk being taken and for what reason? I'm not anti growth, but this annexation proposal seems extreme.
This project is not funded by tax payers and is another example of our community working together for our kids in a variety of ways and venues.
By the way, without the effort and commitment of so many parents, community members and athletes, we might be complaining about the worst example of the "many paying for the few", the Routt County Jail.
This is shameful! My daughter worked as a Special Needs Teacher's Aid for two years at $9.00/hr and had to live at home in order to make ends meet. Teachers aren't paid enough as it is, much less penalize them for something that is the District's fault?
Steamboat 700 petitioners claim 1,334 signatures
Karen and Scott, I have been advocating the idea of a "Blue Book" also and agree with you, that the Let's Vote group and the developers of Steamboat 700 should each chip in for the cost. As Scott suggests, we need an impartial person to research the facts, present unemotional pro and con views and present accurate answers to questions. The Let's Vote group will never have the kind of financial resources that the developer has for marketing, so this idea insures a level playing field.
I've also wondered about creating a similar process to that which occurred after the first vote for a new high school failed some years ago; I think it was called 10 plus 2 after the number of separate citizen committees that were formed to investigate and report back with recommendations on each committee's assigned issue. It was a very effective process and ultimately the community voted yes to a remodeled "new" high school, with various new approaches to education. Our elected school board at the time of the first vote thought they were putting forth what was the best idea for a new high school, but the community did not agree and voted it down. Sometimes, citizens must act as a check and balance, in relationship to the elected branch of their government at the local level. It's all a process to get a result that works for the good of all.
I would like to advocate the idea that our community go about this vote in a civil and respectful way. Having a different opinion than your neighbor does not have to mean that we need to label them wrong, bad or stupid. Steamboat Springs is celebrated for it's friendly, western, small town atmosphere; let's live up to that description.
November 13, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bennett defends voting stance
First of all, I really don't understand the value in writing personal attacks in these comments, particularly if you don't sign your name.
We are witnessing an election between two good people of Steamboat Springs. Those that are privileged to vote are responsible for getting information that is true and factual. Many of us believe that the news media provides that forum, but sadly in this day and age, words and facts are twisted and misrepresented. It seems that our system of elections from the national level all the way down to local races has degenerated into mean spirited character assassination, and who has the most money to get that negative message across.
The Steamboat Pilot and Today has obviously been in favor of Steamboat 700 and anyone who has the audacity to disagree publicly, becomes their target.
The need for a public vote on local issues really varies depending on the times and the importance of the issue. If Kevin Bennett would like to advocate a public vote on a current issue now, why does that even merit a newspaper article? If the people of Steamboat Springs would like to vote on a single annexation that will increase the population of the year round community by 50%, why not?
I've always been interested and participated in our local politics for these last 32 years, and maybe one of the most frustrating aspects of trying to figure out for whom to vote is the inability or unwillingness of many candidates to state opinions on real issues. I respect both Kevin Bennett and Kari Hermansinski for being very informed and knowledgeable candidates. I applaud Kevin for making his opinions on our local issues clear.
October 13, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Candidates divided on financing issue
Opps... it's Geneva Taylor. Sorry.
September 30, 2009 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Candidates divided on financing issue
Sureva Taylor's obvious attempts to smear Kevin Bennett's good character is a reflection of our national politics at its worst and I find it shameful. I'm amazed that people have the courage to SERVE our community, when stunts like this are pulled. We have some very serious issues facing our community and I'm amazed that Rotary even considered this question relevant. I'm embarrassed for Rotary and our community. Kevin has already proven himself in his years of service on Council, so why was a mistake of his youth relevant in the current campaign? Let's keep our eyes on the ball, which right now is Steamboat 700.
September 30, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Green group starts Zero Waste Initiative
Here's a question for home composters? What do you do with noxious weeks? My research tells me it's very difficult to kill the seeds in the compost process? I'm not sure if burning is the best idea and I think there was an article in the paper that recommended sending them to the landfill. Anyone know about this?
June 23, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Green group starts Zero Waste Initiative
This is wonderful!! Is there hope in the future that all households can also have compost material picked up? My daughter has that service in Denver now and it works out great. Thanks for making this happen YVSC, and Twin Enviro, Smartwood, Ski Corp, TIC and other businesses for helping to get this going.
June 23, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kevin Bennett: The waterboarding of Old Town
Thanks for an interesting explanation of the town's water situation and for making it crystal clear what the impact of these huge annexations would be on just one aspect of our community. I still do not understand why council is even considering adding over 2,000 homes to our town. Only a small percentage is required affordable, so where is the benefit? If only 2.5 persons live in each of those new homes, we have increased the permanent population of Steamboat Springs by 52%. Is there anyone in our community clamoring to make our town a bigger city, other than developers? There seems to be such financial risk being taken and for what reason? I'm not anti growth, but this annexation proposal seems extreme.
June 14, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Council to focus on 700
Will someone explain to me why the City of Steamboat Springs thinks this project is necessary?
June 9, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
John F. Russell: Unnoticed, but still appreciated
This project is not funded by tax payers and is another example of our community working together for our kids in a variety of ways and venues.
By the way, without the effort and commitment of so many parents, community members and athletes, we might be complaining about the worst example of the "many paying for the few", the Routt County Jail.
May 17, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
District charging former employees for credit monitoring
This is shameful! My daughter worked as a Special Needs Teacher's Aid for two years at $9.00/hr and had to live at home in order to make ends meet. Teachers aren't paid enough as it is, much less penalize them for something that is the District's fault?
March 2, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )