Determining Aspen's future

Dear Editor:

Aspen is at a critical juncture. The current mayoral race provides an opportunity to, literally, choose what Aspen will both be and become in our lifetimes - this election is that important.

I support Mick Ireland for mayor because he is the only candidate who is capable of leading Aspen through this difficult time. For some, the last five years or more are easily heralded as a period of extraordinary financial prosperity. However, for others (perhaps most), this "prosperous period" has been a wrinkle in time through which Aspen has lost much of its soul.

Aspen's primary economy is no longer skiing and its attendant tourism. Instead, Aspen's main economic force is a real estate sales and development machine that constantly outperforms even its own expectations, and then demands a bigger, better next year. The rewards of working with this machine are enough to retire on, and more.

Yet, despite the extraordinary profit potential of this particular economic cycle, there is a widespread clamoring for change and a demand for a restoration of balance to Aspen. Mick Ireland is simply the only candidate who has the integrity, proven experience and personal fortitude to lead Aspen into an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable future.

For those of you who are leaning toward Torre, let me suggest that however well-meaning you surely are, you should not throw away your vote by voting for Torre. While Mick and Torre may appear to be ideologically similar candidates, the fact is that Mick's significant experience and substantial record of accomplishments set him on a higher level than Torre. Even if you were inclined toward a symbolic vote for Torre because of his position regarding the S-curves, this would be a serious mistake. I, too, have misgivings about the Preferred Alternative, but I understand that supporting an S-curves candidate on this single issue is shortsighted. The reality is that a vote for Torre because you favor limiting road improvements to the S-curves is really a vote for Tim Semrau.

For those who are considering voting for Tim Semrau because you think Mick has a "bad personality" or because he has somehow offended you in the past, please realistically consider what Semrau stands for and what happened to Aspen under his tenure as a councilman. While you may find Semrau an intelligent, seemingly sensible, well-mannered guy, will his particular ideology result in the kind of Aspen you would love and could stay in until you die? Said another way, should a developer really be the mayor of Aspen, and if so, what does that mean for the future of Aspen?

Please carefully consider your choices for mayor of Aspen on May 8. I hope you will vote for Mick!

Marcella Larsen
Aspen