YOUR AD HERE »

Garfield, Hecht & Klanderud?

Carolyn SackariasonThe Aspen TimesAspen CO, Colorado

ASPEN Former Mayor Helen Klanderud is not selling real estate nor is she an attorney at Garfield & Hecht, an Aspen law firm that is suing City Hall.But at first glance of an advertisement in the Aspen Music Festival and School program, one might think she is. Those who have perused through the program this summer may have noticed an advertisement for Garfield & Hecht P.C. that has Klanderuds photograph in it.Her image appears underneath a photo of Dave Lenyo, a Garfield & Hecht attorney, making it appear as though she is a partner in the firm. Next to her name, it says Experienced. Next to Lenyos name it says Recognized.”Underneath Klanderud is a photo of a cello, with the word Talented referring to Aspen Music Festival cello students and a photo of Ben Sydoryk, a local snowboarder, with the word Capable.The ad says Like Garfield & Hecht, we are Colorado.Klanderud said when she was approached earlier this year by Margie DeLuca, owner of Aspen Graphic Solutions, which designs ads for the law firm, she didnt think much about it. But now that its in print, Klanderud said she its understandable that people may think she is linked with the firm.In retrospect, there is no question about it that its misleading, she said. I dont want it to appear that I support Garfield & Hecht.DeLuca said the ad was her idea.I did it, she said, adding that Lenyo was added to the column of photos later after a 2007 honor.It went through some reiterations, and it wasnt exactly the way I wanted it to be, DeLuca said. But I suggested [the concept]. She is my friend, and they are my client. It is true that she is experienced.Klanderud said when she was attending the Ideas Festival earlier this month, a person she knows stopped and asked her if she was selling real estate, assuming the advertisement was a real estate ad.If its misconstrued, yes I care, said Klanderud, who served as mayor from 2001 until 2007. Its awkward with the lawsuit now.Garfield & Hecht is suing the city over the recent denials by the City Council to redevelop the Cooper Street Pier and Wienerstube buildings, arguing elected officials abused their discretion when they denied plans to subdivide the properties.Andrew Hecht, his son, Nikos Hecht, Ron Garfield and Joshua Saslove, are principals in JS Cooper Street LLC, which owns the Cooper Street Pier building. The law firm is representing Stephen Marcus and John Provine, who are investors in 633 Spring II LLC, which controls the Wienerstube building.The firm recently filed an open records request seeking every document and e-mail that contains the names of six developers and lawyers, as well as development applications filed over the past two years and ordinances related to preserving historic buildings.City Attorney John Worcester said City Hall is complying with the request, which requires searching at least 17 computers, and includes the private and public machines of City Council members and city employees. The search likely will result in hundreds, if not thousands, of pages of documents.Klanderud, who while in office reviewed the Wienerstube proposal and issues related to the Red Onion, which Garfield & Hecht owns, said she is unaware of the ad running in any other publication.csack@aspentimes.com

News


See more