Councilman supports hydro
Dear Editor:
I have looked at and made decisions on the hydro issue for several years now. Here is where I am at.
• Environmental impacts: The city has agreed to the most stringent and cutting-edge monitoring system of Castle Creek in the U.S., possibly the world. I am confident the stream and surrounding ecosystem will be protected.
• Financial: This project has had cost overruns, and this sucks! However, the reality is that the incremental expense of completing this project will yield a respectable return on investment and supply clean energy locally.
• What we get: The Aspen community will continue what we started 100-plus years ago: providing clean, renewable energy with our local resources. We can continue in our leadership role creating a sustainable community.
• Protecting our water rights, this doesn’t add up? Why is so much anonymous money pouring into our community to defeat this issue while flagrantly ignoring our local campaign laws? I can’t help but question the intent. I worry that if we give up our water rights, we could see Castle Creek diverted entirely.
I will be voting “yes” on 2C on Tuesday. Please join me in furthering our Aspen tradition of independence.
Derek Johnson
Aspen
Professional dancers return to Aspen to perform in ‘The Nutcracker’
Roaring Fork Valley natives Emily Ridings and Nikki Ferry have come full circle when it comes to dance. Both studied dance with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) as kids, continued their training with other prominent schools, and now return this weekend, as ASFB presents “The Nutcracker” at Aspen District Theater.