City Council debates SCI Zone district

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

New provisions for doctors’ offices, architects’ studios and the Aspen Brewing Company will be on the table as the Aspen City Council debates amendments to the area officially known as the Service/Commercial/Industrial zone at tonight’s meeting. The code changes come as a moratorium on new development proposals for the SCI is set to end on May 30.

The SCI is a three-acre sliver of land north of the downtown core that since the 1970s has been set aside for businesses that otherwise would be priced out of Aspen. Existing businesses in the zone that exemplify the purpose of the SCI include an auto repair shop, a Laundromat, a tile and bathroom store, and a painting company’s headquarters.

Brewery issue bubbles up again

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
As city staff acknowledge the confusing nature of the city’s definition of a brewery might have put the Aspen Brewing Company at a disadvantage, Aspen’s newest small business will argue again before Aspen City Council tonight to abolish the city’s one-pint rule for the brewery’s taproom.

In conflict is a ruling by the city’s community development department that the brewery’s taproom cannot serve its visitors more than 16 ounces of beer in a 24-hour period. According to the city, the purpose of the ruling is to keep the brewery from operating as a bar, which is not allowed in the part of town known as the Service/Commercial/ Industrial zone.

Basalt shooting range in cross-hairs

by Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
When spring returns to Basalt, the sound of birds chirping in the warmer air can be heard. So can the sound of gunfire from the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Lake Christine shooting range, on the hillside just north of downtown Basalt.

The shooting range has long been a point of debate in Basalt. Some Basalt residents believe it’s a nuisance — especially on weekends when it sees more use — while for others it’s a valuable recreational amenity they will defend aggressively to keep open. Either way, many find the sporadic gunfire hard to ignore.

Housing ballot question coming into focus

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
The next generation of the city of Aspen’s affordable housing plans is becoming clearer, and Aspen voters will be asked to affirm those plans with a $100 million bond and the renewal of two housing taxes at the ballot box in November.

Aspen City Council will provide direction on a number of points at a work session on Tuesday. But Chris Everson, the city’s affordable housing project manager since Jan. 28, has crafted a financing strategy he thinks will work, and it does not include building housing on three of the city’s four recent land acquisitions, including the BMC West site, right away.

Crossing generations

by Catherine Lutz, Roaring Sports Staff Writer
At least three regular competitors are former U.S. Ski Team members; two were on the World Cup tour. Several people who participate in the Town Race Series have almost made a career of the multi-race event, having competed nearly every season since it started 28 years ago (making it the longest-running town race series in the country). For most competitors, it’s just a good way to get out there and try something new and fun, hone skiing skills and enjoy some competition.

And that competition could include a racer fresh off the World Cup circuit. But it could also include a 9-year-old ski club kid, a 72-year-old multi-sport competitor who consistently finishes last grinning ear to ear, or a judge who’s nationally known for his court TV show — in a word, anyone.

March. Madness.

by Andrew Travers, Roaring Sports Columnist
This is a good time of year for losers like me.

The time of year when every layabout and tomfool becomes a Vitale-esque analyst, filling out an NCAA tournament bracket after hours spent researching obscure 16-seed hoopsters, honing theories and smarter-than-thou phraseology to show off over nachos and beer at the big viewing party.

LEARNING TO FLY

by Jonathan Bastian, Roaring Sports Staff Writer
Just about two weeks ago, I was standing 500 feet up Tiehack on an overcast, frigid, gloomy February afternoon, cursing my cold toes and praying for a fissure in the clouds to release some heat.
It was nearly 4pm, and I watched students across the valley at Aspen High School slam soccer balls and sprint around a heated green plane of Astroturf.  It was the quintessential vision of American sports.

Local officials steal our time

by Sheldon Fingerman, Aspen Daily News Columnist
When we elect people to City Council or as county commissioners, we tend to elect candidates with lots of experience. This means they have served on a plethora of committees or are household names here in Aspen. It seems to me this isn’t working, because they are completely out of touch with the common Aspenite.

    Recently, someone wrote a column about how Aspen uses the carrot and stick approach to get things done, except they forgot what a carrot is and the sticks keep getting bigger and bigger.

Hats off to Adm. William Fallon

by Helen Thomas, Aspen Daily News Columnist
A salute is due Adm. William Fallon, who tried to prevent a wider war with Iran.

    After serving one year as commander of U.S. Central Command, Fallon has resigned, saying he is quitting because his differences with official U.S. policy have become a “distraction.”

Explaining the Fed

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Columnist
Editor:

    I agree with Ellen Goodman’s preaching about “moral hazard” as it relates to risky decisions that people make that are later forgiven, subsidized or bailed-out. However, as an author of a book on the Federal Reserve entitled “Monetary Policy and Investment Opportunities” (published by Greenwood Press), I have to object to a common misconception. The Federal Reserve System is not technically a part of the government. It does not receive an appropriation from Congress. Its members are not elected by the people of the United States. Its activities do not use taxpayer money.

Buy American

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Columnist
Editor:

    I am really appalled to see our government agents, like the city of Denver, Eagle County and now our Aspen Police Department, buying Japanese hybrid cars for going green. American auto companies like Ford and GM make hybrids, too (kudos to the U.S. Forest Service for using Ford hybrids). If we Americans (especially American governments) do not buy American cars, who is going to? We are all connected to this country’s economy and prosperity.

‘War’s Raw’

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Columnist
Editor:

    The following is an excerpt from a poem titled “War’s Raw,” dated March 20, 2003, which I wrote just after war was declared in Iraq. It is a plea to elect Hillary Rodham Clinton to the office of president of the United States. I am aware of her previous voting record in regard to this issue. I believe, however, that she now realizes it is wrong to “stay the course.” While I am not a feminist, per se, the time for a woman president is now. The excerpt is self explanatory.

Proud of Belly Up

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Columnist
Editor:

    It’s too bad that Danny Walbert wasn’t made aware of the newer policy at Belly Up for those under age 16, but he should feel fortunate to go to any shows there at his age. Not all music clubs are all ages, and the kids here should consider themselves lucky to see the great shows that come to Belly Up.

Obama’s pastor’s is a racist

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Columnist
Editor:

    Eric Olander missed the point in his letter on Obama. A racist by any name is still a racist and there is not doubt that Obama’s pastor, by his very words, fits this description.

Vegan diets help

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Columnist
Editor:

    Arthritis affects nearly one in five adults. It’s a painful condition accompanied by an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Millions of Americans are desperate for a remedy, but can fruits, vegetables and other vegetarian foods really help reduce the risk of complications from arthritis?