Welcome to Valley Roundup. I’m Carolyn Sackariason.
A new reporter has come to town and is digging his heels into Basalt politics. And, the war stories he’s heard about people being so entrenched isn’t as bad as he thought.
Interim Basalt town manager’s hotel-stay bill nears $15,000
New Basalt interim manager Davis Farrar has deep valley roots
New Basalt town manager unlikely to assume duties until at least June
Farrar hired as Basalt interim town manager
Basalt hires another part time, interim town manager
Also, the public and the press are keeping their eyes on a Forest Service land deal in the midvalley.
Predicting Tree Farm parcel’s future
http://www.aspentimes.com/news/aspen-area-bus-ridership-tops-record-5-million-passengers-in-2016/
Eagle County ready to review revised Tree Farm project in El Jebel, with 340 residences and 134,500 sq ft of commercial space
And, a highly controversial hotel proposal for the base of Aspen Mountain goes before city council on Monday. So does an ordinance that would restrict formula chain stores in the downtown area in the distant future.
Council backs chain-store regs
Restrictions ahead for future formula business in Aspen
Aspen’s mayor took a newcomer to task when she updated the council on a mentorship program that the city is funding.
Mayor’s message to entrepreneurs is ‘Aspen first’
http://aspenpublicradio.org/post/inter-generational-mentorship-program-launches-aspen#stream/0
http://aspenpublicradio.org/post/mentorship-program-nearing-end-trial-year#stream/0
In Glenwood, progress is wheeling along on the Grand Avenue Bridge construction, which is apparently on schedule.
Finally, Battlement Mesa residents are claiming victory after an oil and gas company has withdrawn its application to put an injection well for hydraulic fracking next to their homes.
County staff urges rejecting Battlement Mesa injection well
Water wars: Battlement Mesa residents fight injection well
Joining me this week are Randy Essex, editor and publisher of the Glenwood Post Independent, and journalists representing one of Aspen’s newspapers.
Valley Roundup is a production of Aspen Public Radio news.
