Breathe Deep in Aspen.

Skiing with Lasse Kjus, Hamilton Sports and Kjus USA.Hellz yeah...I know how lucky I am to live in Aspen. Skiing every day...partying every night...you can't make that sh*t up.

Today was the best of times and the worst of times. On the mountain it snowed a few inches...but the flakes were fat...and phat. Today it actually snowed.  Last year it kept misting all the time.  It felt good to feel the flakes on my Movemberless face. I got to run a few laps with Lasse Kjus, World Champ, Olympic Champ, World Cup Champ along with a group from Bill Miller's Hamilton Sports and Kjus North Amrerica. so that was sick.  See a few pix.  Laps with Lasse.

My view of the "work session" on snow poloToday was also the day that Aspen's City Council had their "work session" about snow polo.  The deck was stacked against me...but history and logic were on my side.   I was sticking up for Wagner Park... the crown jewel and most accessible open space in the center of Aspen.  You can read my previous rant here SAVE WAGNER PARK.  Or the articles in the Aspen Daily News:  SNOW POLO 1 :: SNOW POLO 2.

So it shaped up like this.  Andy Party vs. The City of Aspen, a billionaire, Aspen Ski Co.and the entire polo world.  My odds were decent.  My goal was to have the Snow Polo event relocated to a less impactful space 1 mile West of town.  It was clear the new Czar of Snow Polo, Marc Ganzi was willing to do just about anything to get this event produced in Wagner Park.  He hired the ski co. to make and/or truck snow into the park in order to protect the turf.  As a result of the snow polo debacle in 2009 that severly damaged the park, the Aspen Parks Dept. had devised a set of "strict criteria" in an effort to disuade Winter events in Wagner Park.   Yada yada yada...the "strict criteria" was altered substantially to accommodate snow polo 2013.  Snow polo will be allowed to blow snow in the park using snow guns between 9am-3pm and they will be granted a noise variance.  Boom. The billionaire wins.  

They will have to produce a compacted snow base of 6"-8".  A far cry from the 18" previously stipulated.  Who pays for the water?  The good people of Aspen.  Steve Barwick provided and estimate for the cost of the water to make all that snow.  "Minimal" is what our all-knowing City Manager came up with.  Nice answer.  How many gallons is minimal?   Where was parks poobah Jeff Woods during all this brew ha?  He's been in meetings for 4 weeks.  Nice.

 Wagner Park is slated for a $1.25 million "re-do" after Food & Wine so they figure its a good time to "experiment" with more high impact events in the park. The right time to "try it out".   X Games concerts will have a  much higher impact on the park than snow polo according to the parks dept.  Like that somehow makes it O.K.?   Rio Grande Park has been under construction for 3 years.  None of this stuff seems reasonable to me.  Some of the rhetoric just doesn't add up.

So I stuck my neck out in defense of the park.  I layed it out there.  I made a compelling argument, that was considered and then disregarded.  I felt the adrenaline flowing, because I truly believed a line had been crossed.  I believe in transparency.  This deal slipped thorugh the cracks.  I was just trying to keep our city officials honest...which they aren't.  Somehow, behind closed doors it went from...no Winter events in Wagner Park... to... it's OK with an 18" snow base required... to... we support snow polo with a 6-8" base and snow guns blasting.  Sure, I realize that snow polo in the park is a 1% problem.  There are bigger fish to fry out there.  

I truly hope that Snow Polo in Aspen becomes the thing that Marc Ganzi envisions as a "world class event" that provides a "unique public benefit".  He promised to bring to Aspen the "best horse Vet and 3 of the top ten polo players in the World and the current #1".  Ganzi wants to "use sport as a platform to promote social welfare and charity".  Whaaaat?   Ganzi also admitted that his wife "loves her horses as much as she loves her children".

I was in there mixing it up. Keeping it real.  It felt good.  Today was a siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick POW day so that helped ease the pain.  If all I gotta do is b*tch about snow guns and dump trucks to get a foot and a half of natural snow (like today),  I'll do it.   Best POW DAY in 3 years.

Before they were famous.  During my research I was able to un-earth high school senior pictures of our Mayor, the 4 Council Members, The City Manager and the Manager of the Parks Dept.   See if you can figure out who's who.

 

The Aspen Election: All Talk

This is not a political blog, but Aspen is a political town.  The opinions expressed below are those of Andrew M. Israel, registered voter.

As Aspen's May 7th election approaches, important political issues rise to the forefront and the candidate's positions become more clear. AspenSpin attended the candidate forum on the environment at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES).  All 6 mayoral candidates and 3 of the 4 people running for City Council participated in a panel discussion at ACES. 

I left the forum feeling a little disillusioned and frustrated, but another attendee astutely pointed out to me... "these forums are not where the problems get solved, but you can get a feel for how the candidates will react under pressure". 

Torre for Mayor. Aspen.With 6 guys running for Mayor, it's unlikely that a clear victor will emerge in May.  We expect a run-off  election in June with the top 2 finishers going head-to head.

I was quite pleased to learn that all the candidates seem to agree that environmental issues are crucial to the future of Aspen. Perhaps it was the venue and the audience, but there was absolutely no debate about the existence of climate change and all the panelists seemed to respect the importance of Aspen's high profile role in the environmental crusade. The candidates all seemed to believe that the continued stewardship of our precious natural resources is essential to residents, tourists and the future of our town.

Skadron for Mayor. AspenCurrent council member and mayoral candidate Torre is passionate about the environment and his track record reflects that. Torre is credited with shepherding the ban on plastic bags in Aspen and doesn't own a car.  He didn't have to ponder the issue of drilling on the Thompson Divide, "hell no" he said.  He's finishing his second 4 year term on city council.

Steve Skadron is also clearly committed to the environment.  It's a major part of his political platform along with "small town character".  Skadron cited his work with C.O.R.E (Community Office for Resource Efficiency). Skadron has 2 years left on his second council term. 

Emmer for Mayor. AspenPolitical newcomer and retired attorney & C.P.A., Maurice Emmer,"led the fight" to defeat the city's controversial hydro power initiative. At the forum he seemed to be more concerned with the fine print (my words) like jurisdiction and policy than with actually protecting the environment. He seems smart, experienced and probably good with numbers...but i don't see him becoming Aspen's next Mayor.

Frisch for Mayor. AspenI personally have a hard time making sense of Adam Frisch's "common sense" platform.  While I truly respect his diligence, commitment and energy...he often paints with broad brush strokes.  Adam has two years left on his first council term.  The environment does not seem be his most passionate cause.  My impression is that he is pro-growth...whatever that means.

Johnson for Mayor. AspenDerek Johnson is finishing his first term on city council.  His day job is Director of Retail for Aspen Skiing Company.  Derek is a nice guy and he seems interested in the environment.  He was instrumental in "Aspen Tap" and "WE", the new bike sharing program.  He has served admirably on council and has proven his independence. However, in my opinion the position of Mayor should be arms-length from city's largest business...but that's just me.

Erspamer for Mayor. AspenLj Erspamer is a good guy, and he's been around Aspen for a long time.  He has worked tirelessly for years on countless committees and he helped build the ARC.  His mention of a "master switch" for all the empty mansions in Aspen to help curb their needless power usage deserves further discussion, because we all should our energy consumption to elimintate waste.

The City Council election has only 4 people running for 2 open spots. 

Art Daily was not in attendance. 

Ann Mullins is clearly pro-environment.  Her experience with urban design and planning would serve Aspen well on City Council.  She is a new face on the Aspen political scene, but she seems clear headed and strong.  It probably would be good to have a Woman's voice on council again.  I like her.Mullins for City Council. Aspen

Romero for City Council. AspenDwayne Romero is a war hero and a graduate of West Point and he has an MBA from Harvard.  On paper he's unbelievable.  But for me, it's hard to overlook the fact that he previously left his elected post on City Council to take a big title job with the State of Colorado. That part would have been OK had he not left that new position within 6 months.  It was a bad decision and he admits that.  I realize people make mistakes and I forgive him, so I'm glad he was able to reclaim his position of President of Related Colorado in Snowmass.   The fact that he voted thumbs-up for every development project that crossed his council desk (including the divisive Aspen Art Museum deal) also gives me reason to pause.

Carlson for City Council. AspenJonny Carlson is a good times guy.  I've seen him at the parties and the bars.  He's a funny guy...and he brings a little GONZO to the table.  Is he cut out for politics??  I don't think so.   Jonny's candidacy is reminiscent of days gone by in Aspen when the freaks challenged the establishment.  If Jonny, or someone like him, understood the issues and took their role seriously...I think he or she would have a chance. I believe the voters are looking for fresh perspective.

So there you have it.  My 2 cents.  I'll be voting early and often...you should too.  You decide.