All eyes on Aspen and ACES

Dear Editor:The citizens of Aspen, as the stalwarts of our great community, should be alarmed by the disingenuous transaction being proposed by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and the city of Aspen.The adage “two wrongs don’t make a right” is particularly true in this instance. ACES’ failure to follow the clear requirements of the Aspen land use code by not filing a final SPA agreement and plat for previous environmentally sensitive housing on the Hallam Lake Preserve and the city’s critical needs for housing for its own employees does not empower ACES and the city to privately agree to circumvent the law to satisfy each of their own agendas.The Hallam Lake Preserve and the adjacent Mushroom Property are some of the most generous gifts to all of Aspen by Elizabeth Paepcke. Her intentions and vision were clear and unequivocal. The Hallam Lake Preserve and Mushroom Property were to be preserved as a game and wildlife sanctuary in its natural state, into perpetuity, and were not to be used for any buildings offering lodging to the public. New housing on the Mushroom Property for city of Aspen employees clearly violates the terms and conditions of the Paepcke gift, and should offend each citizen of Aspen who treasures the Hallam Lake Preserve and what is represents.Shame on you, city of Aspen. And to the board of ACES, as protectors of the Hallam Lake Preserve, please remember your foremost responsibility of stewardship as trustees of a public charity and the unambiguous direction from Elizabeth Paepcke, your founder, which continues to define your entire mission today. To both the city of Aspen and the board of ACES, remember that we are all watching your conduct.Linda PaceSan Antonio, Texas