Franks Woods and Tony Mazza have managed to diminish the spirit, vitality and local color from downtown Aspen.A little of our small-town uniqueness is still alive and well on Puppy Smith Street and the Clark’s Market shopping center – but for how long?Maza and Woods own this shopping center and there is a plan underfoot to keep the shop owners from bringing their dogs to work. Obviously, Mr. Woods and Mr. Maza have not been down there to experience this little community and to observe how much the people, tourists and locals alike, enjoy interacting in a relaxed atmosphere with the shop dogs.There is truly an exchange of playfulness and affection between the patrons and the dogs. Keeping them leashed inside the shops does not work, will not work in this venue, and it is wrong.These pups are an attraction and contribute to making it an enjoyable place to shop and eat.I hope that Maza and Woods are not planning on pushing these local businesses out in exchange for higher rents and useless stores, turning this vital area into the same sterile atmosphere that they have created in downtown Aspen.The friendly, open, functional and small-town atmosphere that now exists at the Clark’s Market plaza needs to stay intact.Cole, Waldo and Daisy, have faith my friends.P.S. Maybe if Mazza and Woods had a manager/caretaker of that shopping center who liked dogs and people there would not be a problem.Patty SpilsburyAspen