The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Posted on July 5 at 3:25 p.m.
On Merrily's restaurant closes

I never knew the place was there!

Posted on July 4 at 2:01 p.m.
On Emerald development proposed

Oh! A ropes course! Well, that changes everything............

Posted on July 4 at 1:57 p.m.
On Murray Tucker, Ph.D.: Money in the bank

I googled the author of the letter and was able to find the references shown below...

THE COMPLEX NATURE OF GAIT AND POSTURAL DYNAMICS IN THE ELDERLY AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Ph.D. Economics, specializing in health economics Retired

Impact of escalating medical expenses on various socioeconomic groups.

Posted on July 3 at 5:59 p.m.
On Murray Tucker, Ph.D.: Money in the bank

PhD in what?

Oil companies basic business is producing oil.

Do they speculate in leases? Of course they do, it is a built in part of looking for new sources of oil.

Do they carry the value of the leases in a way that makes the books look better? Yep. No doubt. That would a fundamental part of levering assets to pay for expoloration.

Did George W support the interests of oil during his period in office. Yes. He did. Do you expect the oil companies to NOT buy leases on promising land when they are offered? I am not happy with "W" about this, but I find it hard to blame the oil companies.

The bottom line though, is that leases cost money and the oil companies will buy leases at rates they feel represent an advantageous price in relation to the risk that the lease will produce oil, how much and at what cost to produce.

When they think that a given lease will produce profitably with all conditions taken into consideration, they will go to work.

Murry, you are full of... well, interesting views.

Posted on July 3 at 7:34 a.m.
On Salazar critical of Big Oil

I agree with many things the congressman supports but he is out to lunch on this one.

Fuel is 50% of food costs? Not even close. Ethanol is not a factor? Get a clue.

A gallon of diesel will transport 40,000 lbs of food for about 5-6 miles on a truck and farther than that on a train and even farther on a barge. Let's say that a truckload of grain needs to move a total of 1000 miles from field to mill to market. That takes 200 gallons by truck. (yes, I know this is not the only fuel cost, just bear with me) With diesel up by $2.00 a gallon that makes $400 additional cost into 40,000 lbs.... which contributes 1 cent per pound.

Meaningful? Yes. On a 50lb bag of grain product it amounts to 50 cents. It also amounts to just 5% of the price increases in the last year.

John, go back to that farm bill you and your brother supported and the ethanol program you swallowed whole.

Posted on July 2 at 9:19 a.m.
On Emerald development proposed

In unincorporated areas of Colorado an owner can divide his land into parcels of 35 acres or more. What Orton has the "right" to do under Colorado land use laws is develop his 1200 acres into about 34 rural estates.

In order to divide the land into smaller pieces, (and thereby increase its value) the parcel has to become a part of Steamboat Springs. At that point the city absolutely has the right to decide how the land will be used as a condition of annexation.

So... yes, it is his land and he can do what he wants with it but within the bounds already set and within the process that is already established.

In my own opionion, we should not consider annexation of this parcel unless the proposed use truly meets community needs which this proposal cleary does not.

None of this process takes any rights away from a land owner seeking to increase the value of the land they hold by bringing that land into the city.

Posted on July 1 at 7:22 a.m.
On Emerald development proposed

Co native is right.

The real community benefit would be for Orton to cooperate with a bypass idea using part of his land and running behind Howelson.

If that can't happen it would be better to have 2-3 dozen high end homes than 400-500 "regular" homes and another nordic lodge (Remember, we already have one on the other side of the same hill!)

Assuming Steamboat 700 moves throught the approval process, we will have inventory of land for homes for years to come. Selling "affordable" homes is already proving to be a challenge. The portion of the "700" that becomes affordable should be plenty.

Posted on June 28 at 4:06 p.m.
On A call for licensure

Owners can be responsible for thier own homes, but renters should be protected as owners can not always be relied upon to keep the tenant's interests in place. ALL rentals should be licensed and inspected for basic things like smoke detectors. This would also help stop the cheaters on sales taxes for short term rentals.

Posted on June 27 at 3:11 p.m.
On Our View: DeVincentis strikes again

It sure will be nice when Dr D is gone after the next election. he is unsuitable for public office and also for succeeding in a group that has to work together.

Posted on June 26 at 8:27 a.m.
On Deed-restricted affordable housing project struggles to hit mandate target

1. Build rental property and zone it No Nightly Rental.
2. Sunset the deed restrictions. If the owner stays in it continuously for 10 years, the restrictions go away and it becomes a market rate unit which the owner can sell at market and keep the gain.
3. Use no short term rental zoning on lower end properties to take them out of the pool rented to visitors. This will make them available to local workers instead.

There is FAR too much emphasis on affordable ownership and not enough on affordable rentals.