Great editorial and as one Location Neutral Business owner myself I can say that our family has spent 20 times, 50 times more than anyone could visiting Steamboat as a short term vacation. We buy homes, we buy cars, we buy clothes and food and ski passes and mountain bikes, eat out regularly, etc. etc. All of this spending come without a single dime generated from within Routt County. I realize our community can and should cater to both groups (LNBs and tourists) but I would LOVE to see more decisions among our leadership turn toward the benefit of locals who are bringing income to town, creating jobs, spending their money here daily weekly and annually. As I have said many times, our strongest and most sustainable perspective economically is to operate as a community that offers a number of year round outdoor activities. We have a long way to go toward that end as we peal away from our long standing profile as a ski resort (almost exclusively). Great work Tom Kern, EDC and everyone involved in this growing effort.
I would tend to agree with your view regarding the return of autonomy to the EFB decision making process. It's an important check against a system that can find itself focused solely on the operational side of the fence especially when resources become scarce or threatened as they are today. However, your "view" may be fanning the flames more than anyone wants.
Like many parents in town, I find myself torn between what we would consider a "reasonable" student to teacher ratio of say 20-25 and the enhanced educational needs of a student expecting to compete in the 21st century ( described unfortunately as "extras" ). This is the real debate and its one that will be with us annually for a very long time. While a balanced approach is the answer, I fear what I foresee as an obvious outcome to this issue as I hear both sides drawing battle lines. Any hard decision by EFB that fails to deliver on the district 's inflated new request will be met with operational decisions that smacks of " then you'll get what you deserve ". There is room and time for cooperation on this issue for the benefit of our kids. I can make a case for both sides and both sides can make a case for what is right with all egos set aside. Lets find the middle ground!
Chuck , this must be embarrassing for you to hear so much commentary pointing to the obvious. I am left wondering if you think our local readers are really that uneducated or illogical to accept such a crazy statement. The ends will never justify the means and your argument was well short of persuasive. I'm thankful that we still have a judicial system that can still count to 10.
Funny comment Mark, my 9 year really liked it. You bring up a good point that is at the heart of the issue. Expansion plans without cost considerations for silly things like energy use just show up as a pass through to lift ticket prices. For as much as we all sneer at Aspen, they are doing it right and received top ranks. Aspen makes no secret of their plans to reduce lift ticket prices long term by controlling their expenses with things like on site renewable power generation and total revamp of HVAC,lighting etc. Meanwhile, Steamboat is now the proud owner of the highest lift ticket prices in CO.
Is there a positive correlation between the absence of long term cost controls ( like energy efficiency ) and lift ticket prices? Probably too early to say but it appears to be headed that way as Aspen is now "cheaper" than Steamboat, even with the unicorns.
Dear Steamboat Pilot, Community and Rob Douglas
I'm not sure if Rob's commentary this week was intended to build support for the failing Tea (Me) Party Agenda but this seems like a classic case of seeing only what you want to see. Routt County for instance did a fantastic job of questioning CO state's lenient regs imposed by the COGCC on drilling and fracking in our county. There was no requirement for drillers to do any sort of base line water quality testing and the LOCAL effort to add that requirement (read additional reg and requirement) to the STATE regs was successful. Now Quicksilver, who was strongly opposed to the baseline water testing and threatened to sue to Routt County is caving in order to get their permit. Seems like local efforts are working hard to add real and meaningful regs to ineffective state and federal regs.
Storm water runoff? don't get me started. There are entire industries at the local level that exist to simply clean up after the failed regulatory environment imposed at the state and federal level.
The problem is not too much or overbearing state or Fed regs but rather ineffective and compromised regs that fail to solve much. Local efforts are simply trying to get it right as they are often the ones bearing the burden for failure. Let's not confuse that with some interpretation as rebellion against rules that protect our food, water and air.
BTW, how is it that the Pilot allows such unchecked biased commentary in "our" paper as a regular column? Is this the true voice of our community? Wouldn't Rob's opinions be better posted as a Letter to the Editor? As I read his commentary on the FRONT PAGE, I find myself asking questions like, " so would Rob rather we have no regs and watch as we slow poison ourselves and our environment?" Being a resort town that highlights our environment and access to undeveloped outdoor recreation, are we sure someone like Rob is sending our visitors the right message. I think I'd rather see another moose picture.
Is this really even debatable anymore? Good call Tom in calling out the obvious (omission). Climate will fluctuate over time? Yes but 2012 being the hottest year on record? Are you speaking in geologic time? Corn fields bursting into flames in the mid west? Pine beetle consuming the Rockies in NORTH AMERICA? And this morning 2' of snow in West Virginia? Gosh almost makes Gore look clairvoyant.
Seriously, I was unaware that some were still in denial on this subject after years of painfully obvious science and physical observation. What evidence would really convince you? When food costs increase another 15%? 25? How about something more local? like when tourists decide that skiing on dirt isn't that much fun. Will you wait until its too late like someone who plans to save for retirement ... But never does.
“How did we get $400,000 more revenue and get 11 percent fewer seats?” Dawes asked rhetorically. “I think a lot of people will be taken aback when they are likely expecting (the tax) would create more seats.”
I am not "taken aback " at all. Not even remotely surprised. The minority of us who argued against the airline tax always argued that additional seats will NOT create addition demand for those seats. And thus it is so. "Would have been worse if we didn't do it " logic was the same used by George Bush in late 2008 when he demanded an unconditional $700B from congress to bail out the banks. And now we see with clarity how ineffective supply side stimulus is when demand is absent.
Our business owners and the chamber need to start thinking critically about what will drive real and sustainable demand locally. Hint -the answer is not snow farming or tourism. Real and sustainable demand comes from those who live here year round and spend 20 times what any visitor could spend in a year. The recent talk about location neutral business owners and families is the key to sustainable, non-cyclical economic welfare in town. Are we a ski area with a town next to it? Or an outrageously great town that happens to have a ski area near it. Time to ask that hard question.
Dan and Scott, I would agree that the article today doesn't really paint a very attractive picture of the "feeding frenzy" of submissions. Pickle Ball, potholes and potties may not be inspiring to some of our community but they shouldn't be construed as representative of all submissions. I've seen and heard many of them privately and I think you'll find there are some really great ideas out there.
Putting money into reserves Dan for fear of some pending apocalypse is clearly not a good choice however. Cash earns zero remember, cash creates no jobs or economic health or community identity or environmental or economic health.
Also, fear of maintenance costs surrounding an infrastructure project is just that. Under that logic, non of us would buy cars as they need gas eh? Not all projects are net losers after maintenance ( exception being the tennis bubble of course).
If we are to maintain the accommodations tax (debatable for sure), the money needs to be spent.
Good luck to the tax committee, nice to have a bunch of choices.
To me this isn't really an issue of anonymity as much as the fact that this blog has been hijacked by a few who have strong tendencies to criticize, politicize, "rant" in the words of Melanie, and lob personal attacks. Some are happy to name themselves, others not.
Scott W . Honestly, use this thread to review your own behavior on the blog. 7 posts of almost absurd length on a topic that is far from hot. I don't think I have ever read a blog in which your presence is not equally overwhelming. There are no rules for blogging regarding brevity but humans can only stand to tolerate so much preaching from others.
Finally, it is laughable that some feel they are the watchdogs of bad behavior opposing nearly anything and everything in this town.... Through a blog.... In which they are anonymous. Really we don't need your input as much as you think. Try to PROPOSE instead of OPPOSE for once. You might find yourself short on words
Sam Jones 1 month, 1 week ago on Our View: Springtime gardening of the economy a worthwhile effort
Our View: Springtime gardening of the economy a worthwhile effort
Great editorial and as one Location Neutral Business owner myself I can say that our family has spent 20 times, 50 times more than anyone could visiting Steamboat as a short term vacation. We buy homes, we buy cars, we buy clothes and food and ski passes and mountain bikes, eat out regularly, etc. etc. All of this spending come without a single dime generated from within Routt County. I realize our community can and should cater to both groups (LNBs and tourists) but I would LOVE to see more decisions among our leadership turn toward the benefit of locals who are bringing income to town, creating jobs, spending their money here daily weekly and annually. As I have said many times, our strongest and most sustainable perspective economically is to operate as a community that offers a number of year round outdoor activities. We have a long way to go toward that end as we peal away from our long standing profile as a ski resort (almost exclusively). Great work Tom Kern, EDC and everyone involved in this growing effort.
Cheers
Sam Jones
Sam Jones 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Our View: Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board changes are welcome
Our View: Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board changes are welcome
Dear editorial board,
I would tend to agree with your view regarding the return of autonomy to the EFB decision making process. It's an important check against a system that can find itself focused solely on the operational side of the fence especially when resources become scarce or threatened as they are today. However, your "view" may be fanning the flames more than anyone wants.
Like many parents in town, I find myself torn between what we would consider a "reasonable" student to teacher ratio of say 20-25 and the enhanced educational needs of a student expecting to compete in the 21st century ( described unfortunately as "extras" ). This is the real debate and its one that will be with us annually for a very long time. While a balanced approach is the answer, I fear what I foresee as an obvious outcome to this issue as I hear both sides drawing battle lines. Any hard decision by EFB that fails to deliver on the district 's inflated new request will be met with operational decisions that smacks of " then you'll get what you deserve ". There is room and time for cooperation on this issue for the benefit of our kids. I can make a case for both sides and both sides can make a case for what is right with all egos set aside. Lets find the middle ground!
Sam Jones
Sam Jones 3 months, 2 weeks ago on Chuck McConnell: Common sense?
Chuck McConnell: Common sense?
Well said Scott
Chuck , this must be embarrassing for you to hear so much commentary pointing to the obvious. I am left wondering if you think our local readers are really that uneducated or illogical to accept such a crazy statement. The ends will never justify the means and your argument was well short of persuasive. I'm thankful that we still have a judicial system that can still count to 10.
Sam Jones 3 months, 3 weeks ago on Steamboat Ski Area rates poorly on environmental scorecard
Steamboat Ski Area rates poorly on environmental scorecard
Funny comment Mark, my 9 year really liked it. You bring up a good point that is at the heart of the issue. Expansion plans without cost considerations for silly things like energy use just show up as a pass through to lift ticket prices. For as much as we all sneer at Aspen, they are doing it right and received top ranks. Aspen makes no secret of their plans to reduce lift ticket prices long term by controlling their expenses with things like on site renewable power generation and total revamp of HVAC,lighting etc. Meanwhile, Steamboat is now the proud owner of the highest lift ticket prices in CO.
Check it http://www.coloradoskiauthority.com/ski-resorts/lift-tickets/
Is there a positive correlation between the absence of long term cost controls ( like energy efficiency ) and lift ticket prices? Probably too early to say but it appears to be headed that way as Aspen is now "cheaper" than Steamboat, even with the unicorns.
Thanks for asking the hard question.
Cheers
Sam
Sam Jones 4 months, 3 weeks ago on Rob Douglas: Grass-roots pushback
Rob Douglas: Grass-roots pushback
Oren,
That is actually not a fact, you might consider other sources beyond Wiki
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-19/american-gun-deaths-to-exceed-traffic-fatalities-by-2015.html.
CDC and others concur
Happy researching
Sam Jones 4 months, 3 weeks ago on Rob Douglas: Grass-roots pushback
Rob Douglas: Grass-roots pushback
Dear Steamboat Pilot, Community and Rob Douglas I'm not sure if Rob's commentary this week was intended to build support for the failing Tea (Me) Party Agenda but this seems like a classic case of seeing only what you want to see. Routt County for instance did a fantastic job of questioning CO state's lenient regs imposed by the COGCC on drilling and fracking in our county. There was no requirement for drillers to do any sort of base line water quality testing and the LOCAL effort to add that requirement (read additional reg and requirement) to the STATE regs was successful. Now Quicksilver, who was strongly opposed to the baseline water testing and threatened to sue to Routt County is caving in order to get their permit. Seems like local efforts are working hard to add real and meaningful regs to ineffective state and federal regs.
Storm water runoff? don't get me started. There are entire industries at the local level that exist to simply clean up after the failed regulatory environment imposed at the state and federal level.
The problem is not too much or overbearing state or Fed regs but rather ineffective and compromised regs that fail to solve much. Local efforts are simply trying to get it right as they are often the ones bearing the burden for failure. Let's not confuse that with some interpretation as rebellion against rules that protect our food, water and air.
BTW, how is it that the Pilot allows such unchecked biased commentary in "our" paper as a regular column? Is this the true voice of our community? Wouldn't Rob's opinions be better posted as a Letter to the Editor? As I read his commentary on the FRONT PAGE, I find myself asking questions like, " so would Rob rather we have no regs and watch as we slow poison ourselves and our environment?" Being a resort town that highlights our environment and access to undeveloped outdoor recreation, are we sure someone like Rob is sending our visitors the right message. I think I'd rather see another moose picture.
Sam Jones 7 months, 3 weeks ago on Tom Ross: Sandy calls out absence of climate change from debates
Tom Ross: Sandy calls out absence of climate change from debates
Is this really even debatable anymore? Good call Tom in calling out the obvious (omission). Climate will fluctuate over time? Yes but 2012 being the hottest year on record? Are you speaking in geologic time? Corn fields bursting into flames in the mid west? Pine beetle consuming the Rockies in NORTH AMERICA? And this morning 2' of snow in West Virginia? Gosh almost makes Gore look clairvoyant.
Seriously, I was unaware that some were still in denial on this subject after years of painfully obvious science and physical observation. What evidence would really convince you? When food costs increase another 15%? 25? How about something more local? like when tourists decide that skiing on dirt isn't that much fun. Will you wait until its too late like someone who plans to save for retirement ... But never does.
Ignore truth at your own peril
Sam Jones 11 months ago on Steamboat's winter airline seats down 11 percent
Steamboat's winter airline seats down 11 percent
“How did we get $400,000 more revenue and get 11 percent fewer seats?” Dawes asked rhetorically. “I think a lot of people will be taken aback when they are likely expecting (the tax) would create more seats.”
I am not "taken aback " at all. Not even remotely surprised. The minority of us who argued against the airline tax always argued that additional seats will NOT create addition demand for those seats. And thus it is so. "Would have been worse if we didn't do it " logic was the same used by George Bush in late 2008 when he demanded an unconditional $700B from congress to bail out the banks. And now we see with clarity how ineffective supply side stimulus is when demand is absent.
Our business owners and the chamber need to start thinking critically about what will drive real and sustainable demand locally. Hint -the answer is not snow farming or tourism. Real and sustainable demand comes from those who live here year round and spend 20 times what any visitor could spend in a year. The recent talk about location neutral business owners and families is the key to sustainable, non-cyclical economic welfare in town. Are we a ski area with a town next to it? Or an outrageously great town that happens to have a ski area near it. Time to ask that hard question.
Sincerely
Sam Jones Location Neutral Business owner
Sam Jones 11 months ago on Suitors line up for shot at city's accommodations tax revenues
Suitors line up for shot at city's accommodations tax revenues
Dan and Scott, I would agree that the article today doesn't really paint a very attractive picture of the "feeding frenzy" of submissions. Pickle Ball, potholes and potties may not be inspiring to some of our community but they shouldn't be construed as representative of all submissions. I've seen and heard many of them privately and I think you'll find there are some really great ideas out there.
Putting money into reserves Dan for fear of some pending apocalypse is clearly not a good choice however. Cash earns zero remember, cash creates no jobs or economic health or community identity or environmental or economic health.
Also, fear of maintenance costs surrounding an infrastructure project is just that. Under that logic, non of us would buy cars as they need gas eh? Not all projects are net losers after maintenance ( exception being the tennis bubble of course).
If we are to maintain the accommodations tax (debatable for sure), the money needs to be spent.
Good luck to the tax committee, nice to have a bunch of choices.
Sam Jones 1 year, 3 months ago on Brent Boyer: Eliminating online anonymity
Brent Boyer: Eliminating online anonymity
To me this isn't really an issue of anonymity as much as the fact that this blog has been hijacked by a few who have strong tendencies to criticize, politicize, "rant" in the words of Melanie, and lob personal attacks. Some are happy to name themselves, others not.
Scott W . Honestly, use this thread to review your own behavior on the blog. 7 posts of almost absurd length on a topic that is far from hot. I don't think I have ever read a blog in which your presence is not equally overwhelming. There are no rules for blogging regarding brevity but humans can only stand to tolerate so much preaching from others.
Finally, it is laughable that some feel they are the watchdogs of bad behavior opposing nearly anything and everything in this town.... Through a blog.... In which they are anonymous. Really we don't need your input as much as you think. Try to PROPOSE instead of OPPOSE for once. You might find yourself short on words