Kissing Babies and other campaign tales from Aspen.

Office Hours on Ajax. Vote: Andy 4 Aspen.I am now firmly entrenched in a political campaign in Aspen.  I am running for City Council.  There are 2 seats available and 7 candidates running.   

Not just in Aspen...but all over America there seems to be a disconnect between the citizens and their elected officials.  Trust...seems like a thing of the past in our country.  Finally, I am moved to take action.  To stand up and be heard.  I'm not a politician...I'm a ski bum / blogger and a former numbers guy.    Yes my education and experience is exceptional...but in this race that makes me under-qualified...or over-qualified depending on your viewpoint.  But I will tell you one thing...I like it when other people under-estimate me.  

Perhaps you've seen my simple platform:

1) No 7 hour meetings.   Reasonable people do not conduct public businees at 1 am

2) Simplify the Zoning Code.   Lets make one set of rules and enforce them consistently.

3) Fiscal Responsibility.  Just because Aspen has a $100+ million budget, doesn't mean we need to make poor decisions about money.

I've learned a lot in the first week of my first campaign.  I've learned its easy to be a critic and very difficult to be a leader.  I'm going to do my best, because I believe in the future of Aspen, because I love Aspen and I want to help Aspen be the best Aspen possible, and I'm just the guy to do it.

So I'm out there kissing babies and other stuff.

CLICK 4 the RECENT INK ABOUT ANDY 4 ASPEN.

ACRA Forum (video)

Probeline with BGS (video)

Aspen Democratic Forum (video)

Aspen Times on Election Social Media

ASPEN DAILY NEWS Q & A.

Residency Issue (Aspen Times)

THE ASPEN TIMES

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO (NPR)

Squirm Night in Aspen...a non event.

Say what you want about Aspen politics, or we'll say it for you...its boring.   Squirm Night 2011 was basically a non-event.   6 candidates vying for 2 city council seats had their chance to perform in front of the media, the public and a live TV audience.  Run-on questions were followed by run-on answers with very few salient points made.  It always seems like the same faces on the dais and in the audience which leads to very few "new ideas" being discussed.  Board memberships, meetings, studies and hypothetical questions were debated for 2 minutes at a time.  It really doesn't matter who gets elected, its going to be same ol' same ol' in Aspen politics.  Lots of talk and lots of ill will.  We'll go on record to endorse Steve Skadron for re-election.  He works hard, he has the city's best interest at heart and he deserves to continue, although why he would want to is beyond comprehension.  As for the other seat on city council... pick 'em.  All 5 of the other candidates seem to have a real desire to get involved, they all love Aspen...but none of the others distinguished themselves so you pick'em.

As for the Mayorial candidates.  Andrew Kole...no comment, why bother.  Ruth Kruger...she seems a little loose on the details, not a good starting point.   Mick Ireland appears poised to retain his position of Mayor of Aspen.  Mick gets a bad rap---his impatience gets in his way---but he's doing the best he can.  The "pro business" crowd that wants bring him down has lost sight of what should be a primary goal of all Aspen residents---to enjoy a beautiful day.

We thought Squirm Night would result in a packed house.  On the contrary plenty of seats were available. Squirm Night appears to be a microcosm for Aspen politics.  All talk.

The 6 Candidates vying for 2 city council seats. You pick 'em.

Mayorial Candidates....are we having fun yet?