If taking real action to address our budget problems was what people really wanted from their politicians, Ron Paul would be the Republican nominee. Both sides are continuing to tell the American people they can have their cake and eat it too because right now that is what people want to be told. Unfortunately it's going to have to get a whole lot worse before the people will finally face reality.
Don't you love the way politicans say one thing and mean another. The talk about moving the post office into the 21st century but the primary purpose of the bill is to keep the post office wedded to a twentieth century model. If they were really interested in reform they would create a true commercial structure - one where grandstanding politicians aren't able to micromanage the organisation - where post office management are free to make the hard decisions (the impact on rural communities could be mitigated with explicit subsidies). That's the model that most western countries have adopted quite successfully, so it's a proven concept, easy to copy. But not as easy as kicking the can down the road once again.
Makes a lot of sense for the ski company to be able to keep its best F&B employees occupied year round. Glad to see also that they are trying to add some variety to the menu with the theme nights. Wish they'd do the same with the on mountain dining. It's always the same thing, which is fine for the tourist who is here once a year, but if you eat on the mountain regularly a bit more variety would be nice.
Building our children's future one non-instructional day at a time. It's not like the state requirement is all that demanding to begin with. All those kids from Finland and Australia and Shanghai doing much better on math and science scores than American kids have significantly more school days than any public school student here. I can't imagine what these parents are thinking. It would be one thing for the teachers to be opposed to this, but the parents?
"Steamboat’s record high temperature for Tuesday is 75 degrees..." I think we have had Tuesdays hotter than that. I suspect what was meant was "Steamboat’s record high temperature for April 24 is 75 degrees..."
Here's an idea. Once the original purpose of the tax has been fulfilled - repaying the Haymaker bonds - get rid of the tax. Or use it to fund the airline program when the recently passed .25% sales tax sunsets (it will sunset right? Right?)
Enough of the Field of Dreams approach to public spending. Instead of putting money into building fancy facilities in the belief they will attract more tourists and pay for themselves, let's look at ways top build a more sustainable economic base. Hint, piling on new taxes all the time is not part of that plan.
Let's break this into the two separate questions it ought to be.
First, do we want to move the public safety facilities out of downtown? Probably yes at some point, but is this the right time to do it? Do we need new facilities right now, or are the current ones good for another 10-20 years? I don't know the answer, but after we spent millions of dollars on a new Soda Creek Elementary School, expenditure which will get us exactly zero improvement in education outcomes, I'm a little wary of public officials' plans for grand new edifices. If we are going to move it, is the budget realistic or is it padded? (Padded seems to be the answer from the City's own admission). Let's come up with realistic budget - and any proceeds from selling the land ought to be channeled to repaying these bonds.
Second, if the City wants to make improvements to Yampa Street it ought to be a completely separate issue with its own bonds, ideally funded by an improvement district tax, not a City-wide sales tax. That ought to work if the improvements will create the claimed commercial benefits.
Limiting the number of first tracks passes a day seems like a good idea (so we don't have the nonsense of eight hundred plus people in the first tracks line like we did on Deep Presidential Monday). But if that's the case, why would I pay $200 extra on my season pass with no guarantee that I'll fall within the First Tracks quota on any given powder day? Or am I misunderstanding something?
Sep, I agree with much of what you say. Ms Fluke is an activist with an axe to grind and I strongly disagree with her position.
But why the personal vilification? Why can't you stick to telling us why you think she is wrong without calling her a sniveling idiot or defending someone who called her a slut.
Is civil discourse where we stick to discussing the issues no matter how strongly we disagree too much to ask? How about you address Marie's question - how would you feel if someone attacked your mother or sister or girlfriend like this simply because they disagreed with their views?
One other point, what birth control is available for $9 a month? That's not even the copay on the contraceptive pill.
@Tracy Barnett, your clarification is useful but it doesn't change the underlying point. Why on earth should money be taken from other American taxpayers to give to Steamboat to refurbish a cinema? We behave as if Washington is Santa Claus and the goodies it bestows are magically manufactured at the North Pole by elves. There are no elves. Every dollar that comes from Washington comes first out of some other American's pocket first. It isn't free money, it doesn't grow on trees and we ought to stop electing representatives on the basis of who can go to Washington and best fleece other Americans on our behalf.
David Moss: It's in our hands
If taking real action to address our budget problems was what people really wanted from their politicians, Ron Paul would be the Republican nominee. Both sides are continuing to tell the American people they can have their cake and eat it too because right now that is what people want to be told. Unfortunately it's going to have to get a whole lot worse before the people will finally face reality.
May 19, 2012 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Measure that protects post offices for a year passes US Senate
Don't you love the way politicans say one thing and mean another. The talk about moving the post office into the 21st century but the primary purpose of the bill is to keep the post office wedded to a twentieth century model. If they were really interested in reform they would create a true commercial structure - one where grandstanding politicians aren't able to micromanage the organisation - where post office management are free to make the hard decisions (the impact on rural communities could be mitigated with explicit subsidies). That's the model that most western countries have adopted quite successfully, so it's a proven concept, easy to copy. But not as easy as kicking the can down the road once again.
May 3, 2012 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ski Corp. opens new restaurant at Haymaker Golf Course
Makes a lot of sense for the ski company to be able to keep its best F&B employees occupied year round. Glad to see also that they are trying to add some variety to the menu with the theme nights. Wish they'd do the same with the on mountain dining. It's always the same thing, which is fine for the tourist who is here once a year, but if you eat on the mountain regularly a bit more variety would be nice.
May 3, 2012 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Our View: Hayden students deserve better
Building our children's future one non-instructional day at a time. It's not like the state requirement is all that demanding to begin with. All those kids from Finland and Australia and Shanghai doing much better on math and science scores than American kids have significantly more school days than any public school student here. I can't imagine what these parents are thinking. It would be one thing for the teachers to be opposed to this, but the parents?
April 24, 2012 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tuesday's heat breaks record highs in Steamboat
"Steamboat’s record high temperature for Tuesday is 75 degrees..." I think we have had Tuesdays hotter than that. I suspect what was meant was "Steamboat’s record high temperature for April 24 is 75 degrees..."
April 24, 2012 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steamboat City Council to hear lodging tax group plan
Here's an idea. Once the original purpose of the tax has been fulfilled - repaying the Haymaker bonds - get rid of the tax. Or use it to fund the airline program when the recently passed .25% sales tax sunsets (it will sunset right? Right?)
Enough of the Field of Dreams approach to public spending. Instead of putting money into building fancy facilities in the belief they will attract more tourists and pay for themselves, let's look at ways top build a more sustainable economic base. Hint, piling on new taxes all the time is not part of that plan.
April 3, 2012 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Our View: Tax question demands more detail
Let's break this into the two separate questions it ought to be.
First, do we want to move the public safety facilities out of downtown? Probably yes at some point, but is this the right time to do it? Do we need new facilities right now, or are the current ones good for another 10-20 years? I don't know the answer, but after we spent millions of dollars on a new Soda Creek Elementary School, expenditure which will get us exactly zero improvement in education outcomes, I'm a little wary of public officials' plans for grand new edifices. If we are going to move it, is the budget realistic or is it padded? (Padded seems to be the answer from the City's own admission). Let's come up with realistic budget - and any proceeds from selling the land ought to be channeled to repaying these bonds.
Second, if the City wants to make improvements to Yampa Street it ought to be a completely separate issue with its own bonds, ideally funded by an improvement district tax, not a City-wide sales tax. That ought to work if the improvements will create the claimed commercial benefits.
March 25, 2012 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Our View: New First Tracks structure balanced, thoughtful
Limiting the number of first tracks passes a day seems like a good idea (so we don't have the nonsense of eight hundred plus people in the first tracks line like we did on Deep Presidential Monday). But if that's the case, why would I pay $200 extra on my season pass with no guarantee that I'll fall within the First Tracks quota on any given powder day? Or am I misunderstanding something?
March 20, 2012 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
David Moss: Birth control 'dust-up'
Sep, I agree with much of what you say. Ms Fluke is an activist with an axe to grind and I strongly disagree with her position.
But why the personal vilification? Why can't you stick to telling us why you think she is wrong without calling her a sniveling idiot or defending someone who called her a slut.
Is civil discourse where we stick to discussing the issues no matter how strongly we disagree too much to ask? How about you address Marie's question - how would you feel if someone attacked your mother or sister or girlfriend like this simply because they disagreed with their views?
One other point, what birth control is available for $9 a month? That's not even the copay on the contraceptive pill.
March 4, 2012 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hill Blackett: USDA loan
@Tracy Barnett, your clarification is useful but it doesn't change the underlying point. Why on earth should money be taken from other American taxpayers to give to Steamboat to refurbish a cinema? We behave as if Washington is Santa Claus and the goodies it bestows are magically manufactured at the North Pole by elves. There are no elves. Every dollar that comes from Washington comes first out of some other American's pocket first. It isn't free money, it doesn't grow on trees and we ought to stop electing representatives on the basis of who can go to Washington and best fleece other Americans on our behalf.
February 26, 2012 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )