LOCALS FIRST
Oppose Labels
I want to be an advocate for Locals First including younger and older Pitkin County adults.
True, healthy communities value ALL generations and ALL income levels. By promoting and building the Pitkin County “Middle Class” we will provide opportunities for our youth to get in the system and move up, and our older residents the opportunity to partially cash out and stay - all with little to no sudsidy, certainly far less than with low income housing. To be clear, we will all be retirees someday, I am NOT for kicking retirees out of their homes. I am for providing them with opportunites.
I want us to relish the future rather than live in the Past.
As great as we have been, as great as we are, I believe our best days are ahead of us. I am getting a little tired of hearing how our best days are behind us. I was here then, and I love the NOW, and I can hardly wait for the future. "The good ol' days" aren't the only ones that are good.
With stringent growth control and great leadership we have made Aspen a very valuable commodity, I think that is great, the alternative was massive growth and low value (hello - supply/demand) and no one I know is for that. By putting Locals First we should be finding ways to provide Locals opportunities to participate in the real estate market.
Put Locals First and find as many ways as possible to spread the opportunity Locals to prosper beyond those only able to participate in the free market. If we as a community wisely choose our “partners” and plan with optimism and excitement for the future I believe our best days are ahead of us. AT LESS TO NO SUBSIDY.
Pitkin Independent - Scott Writer Aspen High Senior Yearbook Picture 1976
Rebel WITH a cause -
Locals First
LOCAL FIRST - Aspen Junior Hockey 1971 - Year 1!
Aspen Ice Garden - note the chain link fence - no glass then! I'm the guy with the Aspen Jersey.
Tough looking crowd.
“Change is evidence of life.” Ian Forrester
Pitkin County is effectively an island, and there is an eventual “build-out”. We need to figure out where build-out is (current estimates appear to be at about 70% in Pitkin County), and make sure our community/economy have everything we need and want by then. The forces that drive us to build-out are best able to pay for want we want, and what we want costs money.
"When two opponents meet, the one without an enemy will surely triumph." Lao Tzu - Mitchell
Locals disagree, boy do we disagree, but with good leadership those disagreements can lead to better decisions, better relationships and a better community.
As great as we have been, Locals know we can do better.
By putting Locals First we need a government looking for ways to harness the power of the private sector economy to create more and better opportunities to prosper for our Locals. Visitors love our community, it sets us apart; promoting policies that strengthen our community also strengthens our economy - it's the proverbial win/win.
Development must be sustainable, carry it’s own cost, and provide its share of opportunity for Locals; while contributing to the balance between visitor-based economy and a vital year-round community.
I want to promote the concept of the Lifelong Local.
A real community is one that include every generation. I believe we need to work to strengthen our community by providing or promoting opportunities in housing, jobs and access to services, such as education, public safety and health through all phases of life. I want Pitkin Seniors to stay here (if they want) and I want Pitkin youth to have the opportunity to get Local housing and jobs.