Aspen's biggest problem

April 25th, 2007 at 08:13am Tim Semrau 80

We pride ourselves on being a cutting edge, educated community poised to lead the country by our enlightened behavior. Yet as Roger Marolt’s Friday column pointed out, some are falling into the “impossible-to-ignore group of perpetual antagonists,” or as Roger so aptly wrote “I have become what I never imagined I would-a sour local.” Arguably Aspen is still the best place anywhere to live, without serious problems; little crime/pollution/poverty/real congestion/environmental degradation etc. Our challenge is to manage our prosperity and desirability, problems of affluence and not of dire need. And yet since “every topic is fodder for fighting” as Roger says, there is little hope of rational discussion of anything. No wonder we’ve been arguing about the Entrance to Aspen for 27 years. When is a traffic jam not a traffic jam? When it’s a symbol, an opportunity to pick sides, nostalgia for a glorious past that isn’t with us anymore. In my campaign for mayor I’ve suggested several changes to our affordable housing program, including changes to the appreciation cap and increasing limits on improvements to existing units by owners. I believe conditions have changed in the last twenty years, that those who once entered affordable housing expecting to move up to the freemarket either here in Aspen or even downvalley quite often no longer have that option. I also have updated the real number needed to reach our 60% goal (289 units) using the city’s accepted methodology, have proposed three specific projects to achieve that goal in five years, have questioned the use of the $100 million accumulating dollars in our fund, and asked for a revisioning of this program. I’ve been surprised by some of the reactions to my suggestions, including the Andy Stone’s column last Thursday. He states I have declared that the problem with affordable housing is “people aren’t making enough money from it,”rather than focusing on creating more units which is the real problem. Others have reacted with unexpected vitriol contending the appreciation cap is a sacred covenant entered into by AH homeowners, a covenant never to be violated. Really? I thought it was a city program supported by a tax bringing in millions a year, subject to review like every other rule the city makes up. Why wouldn’t we consider a change that could benefit thousands of our citizens? Especially if we can create enough units to reach our community goal? Why is it so hard to take a rational look at the facts, and consider a change? I never said people’s profit via affordable housing ownership was a problem, I said maybe its time to look at a change that could benefit many. After all, some official years ago decided 3% was a magic number for appreciation of units that might not have so much magic anymore. Roger, near the end of his column states “the biggest change in Aspen over the years has occurred in my perspective.” Probably true of many of us. How would Walter Paepke’s dream of making Aspen the “Athens of the West” be greeted by the current City Council? What’s happened to transform potential Aspen visionaries into “perpetual antagonists?” Perhaps as a community Roger’s column is the most important issue to discuss in this election season. Tim Semrau

Entry Filed under: Politics, Aspen, Pitkin County, Race For Mayor 2007