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Seeking historic input

Dear Editor:

I have been a member of the Historic Preservation Task Force for about 15 months or so, and would have liked to have reported that we had accomplished our task, but we didn’t. Politically it was basically driven by Ordinance 30 and 48 (the involuntary designation of some post-war properties).

As you can imagine, there has never been consensus in the group. I have always felt that within this group there would come a very viable give-and-take, eventually leading to a solution which would be fair for the community and all concerned; this hasn’t happened. I have always believed that the economic and social survival of Aspen begins and ends with its historic heritage, a functioning community, and that they are totally intertwined. With some involuntary designations, and a creative approach between the city and the community, we can address the involuntary groups’ perceived financial losses, solve them, and keep our historic landscape in the process. There will be a public meeting with the task force from noon to 1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Thursday in council chambers.



I am sure the ordinance fighters will be there, and I have no problem with that. However, we need to hear from everybody involved. If there is anybody in town during the offseason who truly believes we need balance, that historic preservation is important and meets the goals of the Aspen Area Community Plan, please show up and make your views known. There is an answer that is fair to all without giving away this historic Aspen community that we all love so well.

Les Holst




Aspen