ISSUE # 20 ... MAYOR MICK'S ASPEN HOLIDAY WISH
November 30 A Tattered Christmas Stocking
Spring 2007, during the mayoral campaign "debates," Mick sent an early note to Santa, but fortunately Santa procrastinated. Then-candidate Ireland declared that "an economic downturn would be good for Aspen," while his opponent, Tim Semrau, thought this wish a terrible idea. Now Mayor Mick is likely staring directly at his fondest wish, hanging in a worn stocking on the mantle of any place he is likely to visit this year.
Known for his anti-second homeowner, anti-timeshare owner, anti-developer, anti-real estate broker, anti-private property rights sentiments, Mick is philosophically opposed to so many of the things that make Aspen the wonderful place it is. Many of the very things that enhance our coveted lifestyles as residents, Mick loathes. Making no secret of his favorite days being those with few people on the ski mountain and in the town, Mick may see his best season yet!
Please, No More Jobs!
Mayor Mick desires a downturn in construction, traffic, and development of fine homes. He eschews more fine restaurants, high end art galleries, fashion retailers and those god-forsaken jewelry stores in Aspen. He makes no secret of his considerable disdain for risk-taking entrepreneurs and their discriminating customers-particularly if those patrons are the godless second homeowners or the devils incarnate, timeshare owners.
For those who have not heard his rants against part-time residents, it's usually focused on a horrible thing called "job generation." He claims that second homeowners have wine stewards, pool boys, gardeners, chefs, and massage therapists as part of their household staffs and further demand the household-based services of countless other locals during their stays. His favorite statistics deem employment of almost 2 full time equivalent "staff" for every second homeowner. Mick's principal beef is that these homeowners create "jobs" without providing permanent housing for the service providers. He tends to forget the Affordable Housing projects' funding with the development mitigation fees charged when these homes are built and the 1% RETT on initial sale and every time they are resold. Never mind that his nonsensical employment statistics are completely misapplied. . . To date, this Council, lead by Mick, feels that job creation is shamefully undesirable.
Maybe Mick Is Right?
Maybe Mick is right about positive effects of a downturn -- but not for the reasons he hopes. Given that we will certainly have to buck up and weather this economic crisis, perhaps we will also have to face "reality" in Aspen -- which prides itself on not being part of the "real world." Perhaps the struggling merchants and service providers will remind us how important those returning vacationers (and 2nd homeowners and time share owners) are to our economic viability. Ask the business owners if they can exist without part time residents. Maybe we'll remember how they make our lives here possible.
This group of vacationers are not shopping on the internet for better deals at Vail, Jackson, or Stowe. They have an investment in Aspen. They will come back, but perhaps not as often and on a more conservative budget. But they will buy from the Aspen florists, Aspen wine shops, engage the caterers, buy groceries and presents, and tickets for a variety of Aspen entertainment. They'll eat in their favorite restaurants, drink in their favorite bars, and visit their Aspen hairdresser. They will be back, and many of us will be beyond thrilled to see them. And for those loyal Mick followers who cling to the desire to return to the "Quiet Years" -- this year ought to prove that despite their disdain for those who visit Aspen, those returning part time residents are the economic lifeblood of our community and the numerous non-profits serving the valley.
The 2009 City Budget - The ElephANT in the Room
Lost jobs, decreased wages, skinny tips, fear, --even in Aspen's wonderland, this could be a difficult season. The Ant wonders if working residents of Aspen will be as happy as Mick is with "no one on the mountain." Do they also hope that the second homeowners and time share owners stay away? Do they also share Mick's vision of "Aspen first as a community, and only secondarily a resort?"
Interestingly, Mick lives in such an insulated cocoon, that he has resisted efforts of Councilmen Romero and Skadron to avoid deficit spending in the 2009 operating budget. After some considerable pushing by those two, City management is now directed to develop a more "conservative" 2009 budget which assumes "flat" sales tax revenues! Nope, it' NOT a typo. Yes, "FLAT" revenues - numbers that mirror the record year of 2007,and 2008 budget.Are any local merchants deliriously optimistic enough to be budgeting2007 sales levels?
Amazingly, a 7+% increase in City operating spending is planned, even higher than the preliminary budget presented in a more favorable climate in early October. New City management positions, increased salaries, increased benefit costs, more housing, increased expenses - allin a $100 million+ budget for a town of 6000 permanent residents. The budget is clogged with fat. At the City, no one seems to care that by increasing taxes and fees on businesses, we become less competitive with other resorts. If nothing else, maybe Mick's desired downturn will expose the exorbitANT fiscal habits and delusion of City Hall!!.
Mick's Rationale for Increased Spending
The Mayor's rationale for increasing operating expenditures, not laying off non-critical personnel, and spending in excess of revenues, is that cutbacks are "too difficult to reverse" when good times inevitably return.
Ask any experienced executive (business, government, non-profit or institutional), and they will likely opine that organizations need periodic re-evaluation and right-sizing, especially in tough economic times. It's hard to find anyone other than the City Manager and our mayor who think that the "Aspen City government" and "waste" are not synonymous. (The scores of thousands spent on meals for meetings between City staffers, for starters. Plus the countless City credit cards in wallets at City Hall. . . now there's a story! Stay tuned.)
The Ant thinks that now is the time to acknowledge reality and become good stewards of taxpayers' funds. Time to quit looking at taxpayers and property owners (whether 2nd homeowners, time share owners, locals, or business owners) as perpetual and undesirable "Golden Geese."
A Lump of Coal
The Ant would prefer that Mick get a lump of coal (or Red Ants?) in his stocking -- rather than his fondest wish of a quiet ski mountain and town. (Mick seems confident that SkiCo would keep the mountains operating to his personal satisfaction with the miniscule revenue generated from local's deeply discounted season passes!)
But if he gets his wish this year, we hope that we emerge as a community with more appreciation for the visitors and part time members of our community who pay for the toys we enjoy, and leave them here for us to play with all year. We hope that the restaurants, bars, non-profits, and entertainment opportunities which their passions helped create and support survive and react in ways that remind us how interdependent we are with Aspen's part time residents and visitors. And let's not forget SkiCo, owned by the most benevolent investors imaginable.
AdvANTage?
In fact, there is an opportunity to emerge from Mick's wish with less disdain, less class warfare, and more recognition of the fabulous benefits of our mutual dependence.
Feel free to post your comments and perspectives below
And if we really get lucky, we could emerge with a more efficient, service-oriented and leaner City government. Something positive out of this frighteningly tough environment? That is The Ant's holiday wish.
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (14)
I think you may be crawling up the wrong tree. While I agree with all your statements about Mick, in my opinion this whole thing started with SkiCo's "Uncrowded by design," and was encouraged by those who came and supported this idea.
As the wealthy infiltrated Aspen, instead of becoming part of the fabric of this community they created their own community, excluding those who couldn't afford a ticket to the party.
Most of the businesses that won't do well in an economic downturn bet the farm on "Uncrowded by design," and even the wealthy want value.
While Mick and council are part of the problem, they are not the only problem, and they didn't start this mess.
Sheldon,
Interesting perspective.
Certainly Council and Mick are not the only problems, and did not start "this mess". And depending on how far back one goes, we have all contributed to the "mess"---ask the Ute descendents.
Regardless, Council has the responsibility to lead and solve problems. I hope to see them address the problems, not ignore them.
So in your view that "the wealthy infiltrated Aspen" and created their own community, excluding others, what are some examples? When do you feel that that began to happen? I've only been here 6 years and don't have that history.
In terms of becoming "part of the fabric of the community", many locals let newcomers know without hesitation that they are not welcome, and without 15+ years here of paying their dues to become "true locals", then they SHOULD go off and create their own community.
As for "crawling up the wrong tree"---what are your suggestions on the right tree?
Thanks!
Marilyn
Your article ignores the wonderful real estate investment opportunity that the down economy is now giving us, namely that it would be cheaper to buy the St. Regis than to build out Burlingame.
Nice and informative article. I believe Mick is a grumpy old man living and serving the very people he disdains. Managed growth has never worked and won't work this time because of not wealth but power greed. Mr Mick doesn't understand the people he was elected to serve and he now un-gladly mocks them because he knows better then us; or at least he thinks he does. When's the next election? Maybe we should hire a consultant Mayor? Lets bring in an outsider to run this place that can bring us change we can believe in.
The Red Ant slipped up on the Mayor's wish list. His geatest wish is the his "ants in the pants" would move out of Aspen and he would never be bothered by ants again.
Marilyn and Elizabeth........Holiday wish, indeed! Your contempt for Mayor Mick is palpable and I appreciate your detailed accounting of his dysfunctionality which emanates from a man with deep personal insecurities that translate into inappropriate behavior. He obviously did not cut it in his own mind and wears his angst and envy prominently for all to see. That you document so efficiently his embarrassing character flaws may augur well for the next election, atlhough many of the locals appear comfortable with Mick's values. They voted him in, did they not, despite the warnings from many who knew what makes Misery-Mick tick.
I cannot relate to that voter-mentality because I am, woe-be-me, a second home owner - one of those individuals most resented by Mick, the angry cynic. Aspen is such a wonderful place and this man's essence runs counter to all the wonderful things about it. Doesn't seem right. Some representative he's not.
Second home owners should be allowed to vote. The costs to run the town of Aspen are disproportionally paid for by second home owners, as your commentary makes clear. Didn't Telluride vote in such a mandate allowing second home owners to vote. This would be a lofty goal, and would change dramatically the nature of Aspen government along with its "entitlement and ungrateful" attitude. Many claim such a thing impossible. I do not believe it. It would require Herculean effort but it might be do-able with the right money backing its imperative. Something to consider, no? A change has got to come.
Burlingame's glaring omissions and mistakes, which you brought beautifully to our attention, reflect the paucity of experience and lack of business savvy in those who make these decisions. To miscalculate to such a degree seems appallingly inept.
So much for the Red Aunt to lament. Your plate is full.
I got a kick out of your in-depth description of Misery-Mick. You do this town a service my bringing it to our attention. Hope you have a lot of "locals" on your mailing list. They are the ones who need to read it!!
The November article was just excellent! Would there ever be an opportunity to have the law changed so that property owners would have the right to vote? I believe Telluride is structured that way.
We closed on our new home, so were are residents , although we spend time in Santa Fe ( a lovely place were Charles Dale's new restaurant --TERRA--is essentially empty).
We have received calls from Aspen contractors , to see IF we need work performed.A friend & full-time resident of Aspen,finally got a permit to build a "large" home in 5-Trees.He started ,reconsidered the problems of selling his current home , & took his family to Italy for a month!
We recently ate at The Nell---3 nights in sequence , with 2 guests each night---an effort to celebrate our new purchase.Two evenings we were the only table in the restaurant, & the third night ---one other table.Ryan Hardy was real; glad to see us!!!
Perhaps Mick is also "pleased" with the rather minimal snowfall---he can be alone on the mountain!
What we really need is another study to " examine the entry to Aspen" or a new group to study what to do with Main St. spaces desired by ARTS organizations , like the Aspen art museum---which just could attract a wide spectrum of visitors.
To be very frank I think that the affordable housing program creates, eventually, a very bad sentiment…. one of entitlement.
When someone is visibly under-privileged, there is a lack of self esteem. When I ask people where they live some reply, meekly, that it is affordable housing. And so, when an employer asks where they live, the employer has a ”gotcha” moment…and they may not have to pay as much, because they know that the worker is in affordable housing. The employees cannot get ahead…It’s a vicious circle. And then after a while, the lack of esteem changes into apathy, whereby they “expect” the community to take care of them.
I wish there were a way to subsidize the housing (because if we didn’t we’d loose all of our community workers) without it being so obvious
PRINTED IN ASPEN DAILY NEWS :
Rethink city budget
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Editor:
Is our city government totally oblivious to what is going on in the real world? Do they truly expect tax revenues not to fall significantly in 2009? From what I have heard, anecdotal evidence around town suggests that virtually every business and nonprofit is budgeting for anywhere from a 10 percent to 20 percent reduction in revenues. Yet our government somehow believes it is immune to these well-known economic realities.
Further, in a time of 0 percent inflation the city is budgeting for a 5 percent increase in city employee compensation. The only justification for such salary increases in this environment would be if the city expects a 5 percent improvement in the productivity of city workers. If that is what they expect, I would like to see the assumptions and figures supporting it. How many non-city employees out there expect that they will receive a 5 percent increase this coming year? My guess is very few if any, but they will be more than happy just to keep a job.
Please get real people. Any prudent enterprise, whether a local business or government, that is not budgeting for a significant drop in revenues is kidding itself. Our city government should be better than this — we deserve better.
We will soon have a federal government in the hands of smart people after an eight-year hiatus. When will we get some equally smart people in charge locally?
Robert Auld
Aspen
What a great new forum this is! Thanks to the Creators! Marilyn, I applaud your courage in taking on the Aspen Autocrats.
I have kept tabs on the Burlingame fiasco from Carbondale. It is great to see local government being held accountable by the citizens for whom they serve.
Keep up the great work! I am going to add this site to my bookmarks now!
Thanks Bob!
We are certainly learning a lot. We would love for this to become a place where area residents can exchange ideas about our local government.
We send out an e-newsletter every few days. Click the box on the right of the screen to subscribe, or contact me at TheRedAntMM@comcast.net with your email address, and I’ll add your name.
His bike was stolen again?
Ever noticed how when Mick needs sympahty, his bike gets stolen?
Then he gets to remind everyone how green he is, how poor he is, and stupid he is.
IF the bike was stolen, why should he be suprised?
In tough economic times, crime always goes up. Oh, I forgot, Mick doesn't believe its a tough economy. Look at the city spending!
Do you remember the TV series from the 1960s called “The Twilight Zone?” Host Rod Serling narrated unusual stories with sci-fi themes. One of my favorite episodes began with a man awakening to find that everyone in his town was gone, except for him. In the background, as he walked the empty streets, the high pitched Twilight Zone music eerily played “Dee dee, dee dee, dee, dee.
Have you walked around town this winter? Every time I see an empty store or a deserted street, my mind replays the same high pitched music — “Dee dee, dee dee, dee.
I skied down Spar the other day and when I looked up the mountain there wasn’t another person to be seen all the way to Crested Butte.
“Dee dee, dee dee, dee dee.
Clearly, Aspen is not immune from the national recession. Real estate sales are down and offices are closing quicker than a liquor stand in a Baptist Church. The potential ramifications of all this to Aspen residents, especially those who live in affordable housing and need to pay their mortgages, are obvious. You may not be a Realtor or a contractor or an architect, but you certainly could work in one of their offices, or serve them cold beer, or teach their kids to ski. The best data that I can get indicates that our economy doesn’t run on sushi or silver belt buckles. Whether you like it or not, 80 percent of Aspen’s economy is related to real estate, construction and development.
At a time when President Obama is doing everything possible to stimulate job creation in America, shouldn’t we at least do what we can to keep the jobs we already have in Aspen? Like our current politicians, I am not a big fan of growth.
Some of the buildings that popped up in town over the last few years are uglier than my high school girlfriend — and trust me that her face could have stopped an 18-wheeler. However, I believe that the potential development near Lift 1-A, which was approved by building a consensus between our politicians and local citizens, represents an improvement over the tired, run-down ski shacks in the neighborhood.
I also believe we have an unwritten covenant with our local workers to sustain our city’s economic vitality.
Although Aspen survived the “Quiet Years,” it will be a lot more fun to live in a vibrant, self-sustaining town, where our friends and relatives aren’t losing their jobs.
This letter is written as a simple request to our elected officials. Please acknowledge the danger of the economic cliff on which we all stand, and do everything possible to support our local economy.
This is not the time to shun the tourists, belittle the second home owners, or categorically reject developers.
Jerry Bovino
Aspen