Your Turn

What a year for Vail
What a day! What a week! What a year! We sent out an amazing season in style, and on behalf of Vail Resorts’ Vail Mountain staff, I’d like to thank everyone for their support all season long and at the top of the mountain on closing day.

First, I’d like to thank the U.S. Forest Service, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the Vail Police Department for their support and cooperation in keeping the peace and allowing the celebration at the top of the mountain to be a great time. I’d also like to publicly thank our own Vail Resorts team, including ski patrol, security, guest services and all of the staff and management who helped out during — and long after — the celebration. Without the collaboration and commitment of all of these folks, the party would not be able to occur.

Second, I’d like to thank all of those who convened at the top of the mountain Sunday afternoon. The spirit of revelry and the crowd’s cooperation in the effort to eliminate the traditional snowball fight was a great reflection on everyone who participated, and made for an enjoyable celebration for all. Even the many who sought me out during the course of the afternoon to express their feelings about our decision not to extend the season did it in a fun and productive way, and I appreciated the interchange and camaraderie. Another nice surprise was the genuine gratitude that so many people went out of their way to express toward our staff for their hard work this season and on closing day.

Who’d have thunk after starting the season the way we did in November that it would become one of the two or three best that anyone can remember. I guess the silver lining to ending the season with such great snow is that it’s left us all wanting more and anticipating another year of powder days like we enjoyed so many of the last week and all year long.

Again, we sincerely appreciate everyone’s hard work and support through this great season. See you Nov. 21 for opening day!

Chris Jarnot
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vail Mountain

Pick Paxson for water board
Timm Paxson is my top choice to continue his tenure on the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Board of Directors. Please review Timm’s exemplary credentials below, and I believe you will join me in giving Timm your vote in the countywide election on May 6.

Timm’s professional and business credentials include a doctorate degree in chemistry coupled with more than 30 years of private sector technical and business experience as a senior scientist. During this distinguished career, Timm became well acquainted with water chemistry and water quality as he was often called on to resolve problems related to the identification and strategy for removal of trace contaminants. Expertise in these and other closely related areas are directly applicable to issues faced by our provider of water and sanitation services, the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District.

Timm Paxson’s dedication and sincere interest in our Eagle County environment, and as an involved contributing private citizen, is exemplified by his past and current volunteer participation on numerous local nonprofit and volunteer boards, committees, and organizations. Since retiring to the Vail area four years ago, Timm and his wife, Liz, have coupled their busy outdoor hiking, skiing and adventuring lifestyle with becoming involved in our community. These include Timm’s membership on the Eagle River Watershed Council Board of Directors, the Eagle Mine Technical Assistance Grant Board of Directors, a Betty Ford Gardens volunteer, a Vail Resorts Community Guests Services volunteer, a Gore Range Natural Science School “EdVenture” Member and an active contributing volunteer in local projects such as the Black Gore Creek Steering Committee and Beaver Dam Surveys, the 2007 Eagle River fish count (Colorado Division of Wildlife), the 2006 Tamarisk Eradication Project along the Eagle River (Eagle County), and the Eagle River and I-70 Community Cleanups. Timm has also attended formal courses on Colorado water law and on methods for predicting impacts from abandoned mine sites.

Timm Paxson has been an Eagle River Water and Sanitation Board Member since November 2007, when he was elected by the then-board members to fill out the term of a retiring board member. Timm is now a candidate for re-election in the May countywide public election. Timm is a private citizen with no specific political affiliation nor agenda other than to make a positive contribution to our community and environment, and to assist the water and sanitation district in fulfilling its mission to all of us.

I urge all Eagle County citizens to become acquainted with this important election, get out and vote, and join us in casting your vote for a most outstanding and qualified candidate, Timm Paxson.
Bob and Ann Louthan, Vail

Upside-down flag irks skier
On Saturday, April 12, at 3 p.m. near the Strawberry Park lift at Beaver Creek, I observed something that I thought was very inappropriate. One of the Beaver Creek Ski Patrol snow mobiles, number 9711, had an American flag prominently affixed upside down on the safety antenna. At first I thought perhaps the flag had fallen down or twisted around, but upon further inspection it was obviously, intentionally and securely fastened in an upside-down orientation. I don’t know if the operator of that machine thought he was making some sort of misguided political statement or mistakenly thought it was “funny,” but it was clearly inappropriate, and, I am sure, not in line with the corporate values of Vail Resorts.

I realize we’re living in a time when it is almost trendy to be anti-American, but words and actions DO have meaning and should be addressed when they are inappropriate. Even though the snow season is over, Vail Resorts should find that machine and remove the flag, or at least display it proudly right side up. Vail Resorts should also speak to the person or persons involved and tell them that their actions are inappropriate and don’t reflect well on an otherwise fine organization.

As a pass holder for several years, and as a proud American, I would appreciate a response.

Craig Hellier
Highlands Ranch