There are two separate issues here. The first is the integrity of the RFP process. I've been involved in a lot of these including as a government employee and the golden rule is all communications should go equally to all interested parties. Everyone at YVRA knows Storm Mountain would be interested so they' messed up big time if you ask me.
The second is the monopoly nature of the service. What is the rationale for only having one provider of walk up taxi services? Why can't any carrier who meets certain criteria offer this service and let the market decide who wins and who loses? At the moment we don't really know if the consumer is getting good value for money. I know demand is highly seasonal but I've used taxi and limo and shuttle services at airports all over the world and Go Alpine seems expensive for a shared ride in what is effectively a bus!
Melanie, in case you haven't noticed, the entire country is run on the principle of transfering money from young people to old people. Today's teens are tomorrow's taxpayers, the ones who are going to get stuck with the bill for our current profligacy. They may as well start getting used to it!
Is it good practice for the City police department to invesigate cases where the City is a potential defendent? Should they perhaps have called in someone from the Sherriff's Office or the CBI?
Dave Ruppel is right to be worried that removing the machine will result in slower, manual procedures that will negatively affect the traveller experience at YVRA.
But you hit the nail on the head with the last sentence of your editorial: "then we’ve been wasting a lot of taxpayer time and money throughout the years on expensive machines."
It's time everyone stopped drinking the TSA Kool-Aid. Three things have improved aviation security since 9/11 - passengers realizing they should fight back against hijackers, reinforced cockpit doors and scanning luggage for bombs. The rest is one giant boondoggle. Not only can our country not afford to be wasting money on security theater like this when we're 16 trillion dollars underwater, we can't afford to go on being virtually strip searched by government employees on a daily basis and remain the land of the free. Right now the terrorists own us. Home of the brave? Prove it and refuse to be terrorized!
It's hilarious having Dick Cheney talking at a FREEDOM conference. This man believes with all his heart and soul in absolutely unrestrained executive power. If you sent him back to 1776 he wouldn't be supporting Washington and Jefferson and Adams fighting for freedom and liberty. No, he would be squarely on the side of King George, defending for all he was worth the prerogatives of the executive power...
But people might get high! Civilization as we know it would collapse! And what would we do with all our SWAT teams if they weren't busy breaking down doors in the middle of the night to stop people smoking a joint? It's not like we have any real crimes for the police to worry about - like people running around with guns killing other people...
I'm not sure what practical effect a contract has vs. continuing the current arrangement through until November at which time the incoming council can decide what it wants to do. I suspect if Hinsvark was to be offered a better job elsewhere a one year contract wouldn't hold her. I am assuming of course she is being paid extra to take on the City Manager responsiblities. If not, that would need to be rectified somehow.
Dan Hill 2 weeks ago on Our View: Despite flaws in process, county's Yampa Valley Regional Airport decision was right
Our View: Despite flaws in process, county's Yampa Valley Regional Airport decision was right
There are two separate issues here. The first is the integrity of the RFP process. I've been involved in a lot of these including as a government employee and the golden rule is all communications should go equally to all interested parties. Everyone at YVRA knows Storm Mountain would be interested so they' messed up big time if you ask me.
The second is the monopoly nature of the service. What is the rationale for only having one provider of walk up taxi services? Why can't any carrier who meets certain criteria offer this service and let the market decide who wins and who loses? At the moment we don't really know if the consumer is getting good value for money. I know demand is highly seasonal but I've used taxi and limo and shuttle services at airports all over the world and Go Alpine seems expensive for a shared ride in what is effectively a bus!
Dan Hill 1 month, 4 weeks ago on Our View: Time for honest class size discussion in Steamboat school district
Our View: Time for honest class size discussion in Steamboat school district
David, nothing makes me feel better than paying taxes so other people can get PERCEIVED benefits.
Dan Hill 2 months ago on Future Steamboat Springs School District enrollment gains could create need for more classrooms
Future Steamboat Springs School District enrollment gains could create need for more classrooms
Spend tens of millions of dollars to knock down an existing school and build a new one with no additional capacity. Proving to be an excellent plan.
Dan Hill 2 months ago on Steamboat Ski Area announces pass prices for 2013-14 ski season
Steamboat Ski Area announces pass prices for 2013-14 ski season
Melanie, in case you haven't noticed, the entire country is run on the principle of transfering money from young people to old people. Today's teens are tomorrow's taxpayers, the ones who are going to get stuck with the bill for our current profligacy. They may as well start getting used to it!
Dan Hill 2 months, 1 week ago on Rob Douglas: Doubts surface about Larsh case
Rob Douglas: Doubts surface about Larsh case
Is it good practice for the City police department to invesigate cases where the City is a potential defendent? Should they perhaps have called in someone from the Sherriff's Office or the CBI?
Dan Hill 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Our View: Sounding the alarm
Our View: Sounding the alarm
Dave Ruppel is right to be worried that removing the machine will result in slower, manual procedures that will negatively affect the traveller experience at YVRA.
But you hit the nail on the head with the last sentence of your editorial: "then we’ve been wasting a lot of taxpayer time and money throughout the years on expensive machines."
It's time everyone stopped drinking the TSA Kool-Aid. Three things have improved aviation security since 9/11 - passengers realizing they should fight back against hijackers, reinforced cockpit doors and scanning luggage for bombs. The rest is one giant boondoggle. Not only can our country not afford to be wasting money on security theater like this when we're 16 trillion dollars underwater, we can't afford to go on being virtually strip searched by government employees on a daily basis and remain the land of the free. Right now the terrorists own us. Home of the brave? Prove it and refuse to be terrorized!
Dan Hill 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Yampa Valley Regional Airport manager says United Express flight performance is improving
Yampa Valley Regional Airport manager says United Express flight performance is improving
"the number of daily flights to and from Denver will drop from four in ski season to just one in early spring"
I may as well buy my second car for driving to Denver right now...
Dan Hill 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Steamboat Institute announces Dick and Liz Cheney as keynote speakers at Freedom Conference
Steamboat Institute announces Dick and Liz Cheney as keynote speakers at Freedom Conference
It's hilarious having Dick Cheney talking at a FREEDOM conference. This man believes with all his heart and soul in absolutely unrestrained executive power. If you sent him back to 1776 he wouldn't be supporting Washington and Jefferson and Adams fighting for freedom and liberty. No, he would be squarely on the side of King George, defending for all he was worth the prerogatives of the executive power...
Dan Hill 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Robert Sharpe: Pot prohibition fails
Robert Sharpe: Pot prohibition fails
But people might get high! Civilization as we know it would collapse! And what would we do with all our SWAT teams if they weren't busy breaking down doors in the middle of the night to stop people smoking a joint? It's not like we have any real crimes for the police to worry about - like people running around with guns killing other people...
Dan Hill 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Our View: Contract extension for Hinsvark makes sense
Our View: Contract extension for Hinsvark makes sense
I'm not sure what practical effect a contract has vs. continuing the current arrangement through until November at which time the incoming council can decide what it wants to do. I suspect if Hinsvark was to be offered a better job elsewhere a one year contract wouldn't hold her. I am assuming of course she is being paid extra to take on the City Manager responsiblities. If not, that would need to be rectified somehow.