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With Election Day on May 8 and absentee voting under way, today marks the first installment of a five-part questionnaire for the Aspen mayoral and City Council candidates. This series of questions will run all week, concluding Friday.
<b>Name:</b> Bonnie Behrend
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> Houston, we have a problem. But I don’t think bus lanes are the answer, bus lanes that would only move the inbound traffic jam closer to town, do nothing for the outbound traffic and is not what the open space was designed to do. I think we need an aggressive, immediate, concerted and doable plan to reduce vehicles; immediately add three-tier EZ Pass; require limited permits to a number of construction vehicles, unless dropping off; reroute diesels around core and residential; developer-paid tool storage and shuttle; turn off lights at Truscott and Cemetery during rush hours; add shorter, frequent school bus routes and smaller buses. Long-term, I like a parking garage under Wagner Park (Rio Grande is too far for most folks) and light rail.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> Houston, we have a problem. But I don’t think bus lanes are the answer, bus lanes that would only move the inbound traffic jam closer to town, do nothing for the outbound traffic and is not what the open space was designed to do. I think we need an aggressive, immediate, concerted and doable plan to reduce vehicles; immediately add three-tier EZ Pass; require limited permits to a number of construction vehicles, unless dropping off; reroute diesels around core and residential; developer-paid tool storage and shuttle; turn off lights at Truscott and Cemetery during rush hours; add shorter, frequent school bus routes and smaller buses. Long-term, I like a parking garage under Wagner Park (Rio Grande is too far for most folks) and light rail.
<b>Name:</b> Mick Ireland
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>I have supported positive solutions (light rail, Preferred Alternative) that are true to the community goals of no new traffic increases, transit advantages, joining the Marolt and golf course open spaces and reducing commuter delays. I am willing to commit financial resources to evaluating whether the Split Shot can accomplish the above goals.
Whatever we choose, I want to give the 35-40 percent of commuters riding the bus during peak time an incentive. I also favor taking immediate, incremental steps to improve traffic flow on the S-curves. I believe my understanding of state and federal financing and approval processes gives me an edge in helping the community fund whatever solution we ultimately choose.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>I have supported positive solutions (light rail, Preferred Alternative) that are true to the community goals of no new traffic increases, transit advantages, joining the Marolt and golf course open spaces and reducing commuter delays. I am willing to commit financial resources to evaluating whether the Split Shot can accomplish the above goals.
Whatever we choose, I want to give the 35-40 percent of commuters riding the bus during peak time an incentive. I also favor taking immediate, incremental steps to improve traffic flow on the S-curves. I believe my understanding of state and federal financing and approval processes gives me an edge in helping the community fund whatever solution we ultimately choose.
<b>Name:</b> Tim Semrau
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>27 years is enough — let’s fix the traffic NOW since it unnecessarily grinds away at Aspen’s environment and soul every day.
I have proposed implementing five specific short-term solutions requiring political will and some shared inconvenience before the summer crunch for immediate relief. The ONLY currently legally approved long-term solution option is the Preferred Direct. I believe we should pursue all possible Modified Direct design improvements, display public models for full disclosure, and have an educated final vote. After a vote we can move on; build it or examine new possibilities, which will absolutely require years and millions.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>27 years is enough — let’s fix the traffic NOW since it unnecessarily grinds away at Aspen’s environment and soul every day.
I have proposed implementing five specific short-term solutions requiring political will and some shared inconvenience before the summer crunch for immediate relief. The ONLY currently legally approved long-term solution option is the Preferred Direct. I believe we should pursue all possible Modified Direct design improvements, display public models for full disclosure, and have an educated final vote. After a vote we can move on; build it or examine new possibilities, which will absolutely require years and millions.
<b>Name:</b> Torre
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> I propose improvements to the existing alignment now, including a reversible third lane on the Castle Creek bridge, to allow two incoming lanes in the morning, and two lanes out in the evening. This solution is a tenth of the cost of the Preferred Alternative, can be done in two years instead of 10, and wouldn’t preclude any future solutions including light rail.
My opponents support CDOT’s Preferred Alternative, despite community votes. They need to answer how they’re for limited growth and construction, yet they’d rather forsake the open space and historic mining and ranching resources in favor of a massive highway, stop light at Seventh and Main, years of construction and a nonsolution that encourages more automobiles streaming into an already congested small town.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> I propose improvements to the existing alignment now, including a reversible third lane on the Castle Creek bridge, to allow two incoming lanes in the morning, and two lanes out in the evening. This solution is a tenth of the cost of the Preferred Alternative, can be done in two years instead of 10, and wouldn’t preclude any future solutions including light rail.
My opponents support CDOT’s Preferred Alternative, despite community votes. They need to answer how they’re for limited growth and construction, yet they’d rather forsake the open space and historic mining and ranching resources in favor of a massive highway, stop light at Seventh and Main, years of construction and a nonsolution that encourages more automobiles streaming into an already congested small town.
<b>Name:</b> LJ Erspamer
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>Our community is burned out with all the elections and special-interest groups who are trying to influence our decision. It is apparent since the ’70s, when I arrived, that something needed to be done.
It is apparent that the S-curves will not work, according to the host of the meeting at the Wheeler Opera House, as it needs an 80-20 traffic ratio, and the best we have is 70-30 and most of the time it is 60-40. What is more imperative is the fact that fire, police and ambulance cannot move in and out of town during gridlock. This mandates immediate action in the best interest of the community. I am leaning in favor of the Split Shot but would support the Preferred Alternative if necessary, providing the rest of the entrance problems from Buttermilk to Seventh Street are addressed.
We need to better manage cross traffic that builds up traffic jams on Highway 82. We have to work on reducing traffic by working with local businesses to create more carpooling. We need to take care and not mandate solutions that are only effective during the busiest months of the year. Solutions should address traffic for all 12 months of the year, as well as the saturation of construction traffic at this time. This may involve different solutions at different times of the year.
The HOV lane should combine with a transit lane. Care must be used in the crafting of language, as if you mandate a certain type of vehicle per lane, then any new solutions create more elections. The transit and HOV lane could end around Truscott.
If we have single-lane traffic into Aspen we will have a parking lot with idling cars during the busy season.
If we could put together a long-range plan to take care of the current accepted traffic count on the AACP as well as the CDOT study, this will take care of the immediate need. After that, we need to work on the current central core area and make more pedestrian-friendly areas as well as public gathering places. In the core we can then promote renewable energy vehicles.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>Our community is burned out with all the elections and special-interest groups who are trying to influence our decision. It is apparent since the ’70s, when I arrived, that something needed to be done.
It is apparent that the S-curves will not work, according to the host of the meeting at the Wheeler Opera House, as it needs an 80-20 traffic ratio, and the best we have is 70-30 and most of the time it is 60-40. What is more imperative is the fact that fire, police and ambulance cannot move in and out of town during gridlock. This mandates immediate action in the best interest of the community. I am leaning in favor of the Split Shot but would support the Preferred Alternative if necessary, providing the rest of the entrance problems from Buttermilk to Seventh Street are addressed.
We need to better manage cross traffic that builds up traffic jams on Highway 82. We have to work on reducing traffic by working with local businesses to create more carpooling. We need to take care and not mandate solutions that are only effective during the busiest months of the year. Solutions should address traffic for all 12 months of the year, as well as the saturation of construction traffic at this time. This may involve different solutions at different times of the year.
The HOV lane should combine with a transit lane. Care must be used in the crafting of language, as if you mandate a certain type of vehicle per lane, then any new solutions create more elections. The transit and HOV lane could end around Truscott.
If we have single-lane traffic into Aspen we will have a parking lot with idling cars during the busy season.
If we could put together a long-range plan to take care of the current accepted traffic count on the AACP as well as the CDOT study, this will take care of the immediate need. After that, we need to work on the current central core area and make more pedestrian-friendly areas as well as public gathering places. In the core we can then promote renewable energy vehicles.
<b>Name:</b> Andrew Kole
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>The Entrance to Aspen has been debated for over 30 years — Preferred Alternative, Straight Shot, Split Shot, inverted (“hope I don’t die”) three-lane, light rail, and bus lanes are all ideas that sound good to someone. If elected, I’ll support the will of the majority. Unfortunately, that majority seems to be a moving target. Therefore, when the majority comes to a consensus, I will work to reach their set objective. Until then I’d like to focus on issues affecting us immediately.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>The Entrance to Aspen has been debated for over 30 years — Preferred Alternative, Straight Shot, Split Shot, inverted (“hope I don’t die”) three-lane, light rail, and bus lanes are all ideas that sound good to someone. If elected, I’ll support the will of the majority. Unfortunately, that majority seems to be a moving target. Therefore, when the majority comes to a consensus, I will work to reach their set objective. Until then I’d like to focus on issues affecting us immediately.
<b>Name: </b>Toni Kronberg
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>A solution is possible within two years. Here’s why: It’s best to think of solutions to the Entrance to Aspen as multimodal and in two parts — Part 1 from Buttermilk to the roundabout, Part 2 from the roundabout to Seventh and Main streets.
Part 1 is on the May 8 ballot asking voters to approve bus lanes from Buttermilk to the roundabout. I support adding bus lanes because it is a solution that can be done now, does not require opening the Record of Decision, and we have the money.
If bus lanes are approved, a much-needed pedestrian bridge can be added at Buttermilk, the light at Truscott can be turned off during peak hours, the traffic light intersection at Owl Creek can be redesigned, the new bus lane can be used for right-hand turns (from the round-about to the golf course/Truscott).
Part 2, from the roundabout to Seventh and Main, we need to reopen the Record of Decision. We do not have a choice in the matter.
It’s a fact. CDOT and the federal government will require Aspen to reopen the Record of Decision and perform an Environmental Impact Study. Why? The three-year time frame to enable the Preferred Alternative to be built across the Marolt Open Space will have elapsed, thereby forcing the reopening of the ROD.
By opening the record now, then and only then can other solutions such as a roundabout at Cemetery Lane, reversible lanes through the S-curves, Split Shot, Straight Shot across of May with unrestricted four lanes, four-mountain aerial/gondola skier and transportation system be examined.
The process will take approximately two years and $2 million. We have the money, and this is the shortest time frame to find a multimodal solution to part 2 of the Entrance to Aspen. To start the process, CDOT requires a short letter from the elected officials asking for the record to be reopened. Aspen voters, after solutions are examined, will be required to vote on the final proposed solution because one of CDOT’s criteria is community acceptability.
If elected, I will ensure a ballot question will be asked that will provide a real solution, with community support and the funding in place.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>A solution is possible within two years. Here’s why: It’s best to think of solutions to the Entrance to Aspen as multimodal and in two parts — Part 1 from Buttermilk to the roundabout, Part 2 from the roundabout to Seventh and Main streets.
Part 1 is on the May 8 ballot asking voters to approve bus lanes from Buttermilk to the roundabout. I support adding bus lanes because it is a solution that can be done now, does not require opening the Record of Decision, and we have the money.
If bus lanes are approved, a much-needed pedestrian bridge can be added at Buttermilk, the light at Truscott can be turned off during peak hours, the traffic light intersection at Owl Creek can be redesigned, the new bus lane can be used for right-hand turns (from the round-about to the golf course/Truscott).
Part 2, from the roundabout to Seventh and Main, we need to reopen the Record of Decision. We do not have a choice in the matter.
It’s a fact. CDOT and the federal government will require Aspen to reopen the Record of Decision and perform an Environmental Impact Study. Why? The three-year time frame to enable the Preferred Alternative to be built across the Marolt Open Space will have elapsed, thereby forcing the reopening of the ROD.
By opening the record now, then and only then can other solutions such as a roundabout at Cemetery Lane, reversible lanes through the S-curves, Split Shot, Straight Shot across of May with unrestricted four lanes, four-mountain aerial/gondola skier and transportation system be examined.
The process will take approximately two years and $2 million. We have the money, and this is the shortest time frame to find a multimodal solution to part 2 of the Entrance to Aspen. To start the process, CDOT requires a short letter from the elected officials asking for the record to be reopened. Aspen voters, after solutions are examined, will be required to vote on the final proposed solution because one of CDOT’s criteria is community acceptability.
If elected, I will ensure a ballot question will be asked that will provide a real solution, with community support and the funding in place.
<b>Name:</b> Michael O’Sullivan
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> In listening to the other candidates and the issues they prioritize, I realized that I am the only candidate that wants to do something with the entrance via the Preferred Alternative. It is not leadership to talk about studying the issue more, or build a consensus. I have always been an unrestricted four-lane advocate, but it is time to compromise. The Preferred Alternative works on several levels. We will be tearing up the old highway. Instead of open space on your right, it will be on your left. Do you want to build a rail system? You need a new bridge and alignment. Advocates for unrestricted four lanes? We can readdress the dedicated transit lanes later.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> In listening to the other candidates and the issues they prioritize, I realized that I am the only candidate that wants to do something with the entrance via the Preferred Alternative. It is not leadership to talk about studying the issue more, or build a consensus. I have always been an unrestricted four-lane advocate, but it is time to compromise. The Preferred Alternative works on several levels. We will be tearing up the old highway. Instead of open space on your right, it will be on your left. Do you want to build a rail system? You need a new bridge and alignment. Advocates for unrestricted four lanes? We can readdress the dedicated transit lanes later.
<b>Name: </b>Dwayne Romero
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>This matter deals with: 1) access for our residents, our guests and our commuter work force; 2) the impacts of traffic on the environment and our historical resources; and 3) the management of growth. As it relates to the longer-term question of Straight Shot or Preferred Alternative or Split Shot or the traditional S-curves, one thing is clear: No strong consensus has been reached in our community. However, it is also clear that our valley has a super-consensus on the idea that something needs to be done NOW. It’s time to move forward with short- and midterm improvements to the existing infrastructure. First, vote “yes” on the new bus lane from Buttermilk to the roundabout. Next, my engineering background tells me there are several small improvements that could help. Areas such as the intersections at Truscott and Cemetery Lane, the Castle Creek bridge and the corridor of the S-curves could all be improved in a manner that would complement most of the longer-term solutions. We need to explore new ideas to get more of our daily commuter traffic into existing intercept lots, with incentive/disincentive measures. Through the short- and midterm efforts, I remain optimistic that we can achieve progress and partial relief from the traffic congestion that we currently have.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>This matter deals with: 1) access for our residents, our guests and our commuter work force; 2) the impacts of traffic on the environment and our historical resources; and 3) the management of growth. As it relates to the longer-term question of Straight Shot or Preferred Alternative or Split Shot or the traditional S-curves, one thing is clear: No strong consensus has been reached in our community. However, it is also clear that our valley has a super-consensus on the idea that something needs to be done NOW. It’s time to move forward with short- and midterm improvements to the existing infrastructure. First, vote “yes” on the new bus lane from Buttermilk to the roundabout. Next, my engineering background tells me there are several small improvements that could help. Areas such as the intersections at Truscott and Cemetery Lane, the Castle Creek bridge and the corridor of the S-curves could all be improved in a manner that would complement most of the longer-term solutions. We need to explore new ideas to get more of our daily commuter traffic into existing intercept lots, with incentive/disincentive measures. Through the short- and midterm efforts, I remain optimistic that we can achieve progress and partial relief from the traffic congestion that we currently have.
<b>Name: </b>Steve Skadron
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>It’s my desire to maintain open space and address the entrance issue in a way that has the least impact on the environment and to the character of our small town. Until consensus has been reached on the long-term solution, we should fix the problems we can right now by supporting a continuous bus lane from Buttermilk to the roundabout, requiring construction workers to carpool, and re-evaluating the stoplights at Truscott and Cemetery Lane. These steps would help the environment, decrease the pollution aspects of traffic and start to address the needs of our commuting work force, residents and visitors.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen: </b>It’s my desire to maintain open space and address the entrance issue in a way that has the least impact on the environment and to the character of our small town. Until consensus has been reached on the long-term solution, we should fix the problems we can right now by supporting a continuous bus lane from Buttermilk to the roundabout, requiring construction workers to carpool, and re-evaluating the stoplights at Truscott and Cemetery Lane. These steps would help the environment, decrease the pollution aspects of traffic and start to address the needs of our commuting work force, residents and visitors.
<b>Name:</b> Mike Wampler
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> I am the only candidate to endorse the existing S-curves. It will be at least six years before any funding will become available for any changes to the current alignment situation. Construction traffic should be at a peak and will start declining in the next few years. In addition, I feel that in 10 years time that because of all the growth downvalley, more of the population from Basalt to Glenwood will work where they live. The commute won’t be necessary because of the increase in employment opportunities along with the narrowing of the wages. Thus, no four-lane into Aspen will be needed.
<b>Explain your position on the Entrance to Aspen:</b> I am the only candidate to endorse the existing S-curves. It will be at least six years before any funding will become available for any changes to the current alignment situation. Construction traffic should be at a peak and will start declining in the next few years. In addition, I feel that in 10 years time that because of all the growth downvalley, more of the population from Basalt to Glenwood will work where they live. The commute won’t be necessary because of the increase in employment opportunities along with the narrowing of the wages. Thus, no four-lane into Aspen will be needed.
