What Is Wrong With Mick Ireland?

May 30th, 2007 at 06:49am Michael Conniff 2

My radio show "Con Games" is heard in what I lovingly refer to as "The Golden Triangle" from Aspen to Rifle to Vail, so it's not really an Aspen show any more. That means if I dwell on the hyper-local--like the Aspen's Mayoral race--I run the risk of losing my listeners between Rifle and Vail. But every now and again I risk the slings and an arrow or two for an hour interlude about what's right in front of my nose.

The result: a Mayoral debate Tuesday between Mick Ireland, a former Pitkin County Commissioner; and Tim Semrau, a former Aspen City Councilor.

This is about Mick, as you might have guessed. He's intelligent, witty at times, and he cares plenty about Aspen. He's also nice to children and kind to animals: I've seen this with my own eyes. And I like the idea of a candidate for Mayor who rides his bike everywhere, even if it means he might arrive wet and smelly to a debate. Furthermore, there are many people I respect in town who back him to the hilt.

Not only is Mick Ireland not all bad, but there's plenty of good that he brings to the table.

Even so, under no circumstances can I condone his behavior leading up to and following Tuesday's "Con Games."

First of all, you have to realize Mick has no cell phone and doesn't always have his calendar with him--an odd concatenation of habits for a Mayoral candidate, let alone a Mayor, but certainly no cause for disqualification from the race. Whenever I've asked him to come on the show--three times now--it always feels like a shell game. He has a home phone but he says he's not always home, so Mick prescribes email for communication.

Fine. No problem there. But he never responded to my email confirming his appearance Tuesday after I had told him about it in person, so I was left promoting Semrau solo with the promise of more Mick later in the week--if only I could find him.

But there Mick was at the station Tuesday morning in bike togs and presumably ready to go. Great, I said, I'm glad you're here, and I forgot about my misgivings for the moment. I went over and shook his hand and he didn't look me in the eye but so what?

We all went into the studio, and Mick proceeded to read The Aspen Times cover-to-cover--and back--during the debate that followed. Now I know Mick was famous as the thrice-recalled County Commissioner prone to read the paper, eat his lunch, and tap on his computer during official sessions of that august body. But this was the first time he was doing it in my face, and it was not pleasant. I was still ready to give him a pass until he launched into his by now familiar "if you would just let me finish" diatribe used against all who question his wisdom in all things. That pissed me off, because up to that moment the debate with Semrau had played out with minimal interruptions of any kind. I thought it was a cheap shot, a diversion, and needless to say Mick never answered my question.

Nor did he shake my hand when he left. The last time he was on "Con Games" he had tried to duck out without a post-game handshake at all and then tried to shake lefthanded before I forced him to shake with his right hand like everyone else.

I can live with his lack of respect for me--life, unlike an election, is not a popularity contest--but I won't easily forgive him for the disrespect he showed my audience and the process. Mick Ireland is easily the rudest person I've met since I moved to Aspen four years ago, and I have to wonder why the city seems so inclined to embrace him so.

I don't have a long list of requirements for the Mayor of Aspen, but it sure would be nice if he could at least be polite. Is that so much to ask of a man whose power emanates from the people?

Entry Filed under: Aspen, People, Pitkin County, Race For Mayor 2007, Affordable Housing

11 Comments Add your own

1. Wharf Rat | May 30th, 2007 at 12:00 pm

I sympathize with you, Con Man, because in my book people who disrespect others are the lowest class of life form in our class-distinction society. If Ireland wants to go on your show, he should treat you with dignity and respect. Otherwise he should stay home.

As a member of the audience, I don't feel disrespected, because we are on the other side of radio waves and don't really know or care whether an interviewee is belching, stinking, reading, munching on a banana, or playing "whoops" with the handshake.

So while I think your contention that you are trying to protect your audience somewhat melodramatic, I am glad you shared your personal discomfort as to the treatment you received. It is certainly relevant to the election, as the mayor is in large part an ambassador of his or her city. I'd like to see the issue addressed with Giuliani in the presidential race....
2. Michael Conniff | May 30th, 2007 at 8:09 pm

Thanks, Rat. Don't get me wrong--I was personally upset--but I was even more upset by what his behavior represents: a man who will have to change dramatically (remember "The New Mick"?) if he hopes to govern in an inspired way.

Best, Con Man!
3. Mitch.Mulhall | May 30th, 2007 at 10:21 pm

[...I was even more upset by what [Mick Ireland’s] behavior represents: a man who will have to change dramatically (remember "The New Mick"?) if he hopes to govern in an inspired way.]

Michael,

Have you just made Tim Semrau your next Rick Magnuson?

If so, who do you like in the Democratic Primaries? Obama or Clinton?

Cheers,
4. Post Staff | May 31st, 2007 at 4:17 am

Mitch:

If you stay in the business of missing my point you will have to put up a shingle.

This has nothing to do with who wins or who loses. This has to do with accountability, whether it's the Sheriff of Pitkin County or the Mayor of Aspen.

Mick, unlike Braudis, has to govern: he has to be inclusive, and the New Mick is (so far) a myth. That's bad for him and for everyone who actually cares about Aspen.

I don't like to be conned, as you know, and I like the people to know what they're getting themselves into.

Best, Michael!
5. PJ | May 31st, 2007 at 6:53 am

I listened as Mr Ireland played the aprt of himself. He is a rude, arrogant, disrespectful man. His behavior Tuesday on Con Games is the way he behaves at Commissioner meetings, and it is the way he will run City Council meetings.
I hope Tim wins the race. He will bring respect and the art of listening. If Aspen elects Ireland the City is in big trouble.
6. TeleDogTwo | June 1st, 2007 at 2:34 pm

How do we know any of this is true? Where is your fact based research? This is all hear-say as far as I can see. How is this any different from me telling you crazy stories about Toni?
7. TeleDogTwo | June 1st, 2007 at 2:36 pm

Sorry PJ, but Mick wins and in a land slide as the saying goes.

The fact is both candidates can be arrogant asses.
8. Jeff | June 1st, 2007 at 4:47 pm

I listened. Mick was incredibly lame. To have him and his ilk deciding the fate of downvalley commuters just sickens me. The arrogance came through the radio like a black tar dripping from the speaker.

One other thing. The BIG LIE in all this is the 60% target for housing Aspen workforce. 60% is not a fixed number, it is a moving target and indicates a willingness to accept growth. Don't Mick and other blathering politicos realize that every time they house a few more people, yet more people are needed to serve them and thus the number of necessary employees will always grow as a function of how many residents are added to a region. In other words, they might eventually house somewhere around 60% of the workforce, but to keep that number up it'll require creating ever more employee housing in a spiral of growth that NEVER ENDS.

So, the true colors of the anti-growth folks is coming out. They like growth, as long as it's government funded and controlled. Only problem is, if Aspen is gradually converted to a huge metropolis of government employee housing, what kind of jobs does that create? Instead of high paying construction jobs on second homes, you'll get ever more service jobs. Like being Mick Ireland's maid.
9. matt j | June 3rd, 2007 at 4:20 pm

The 600 and someodd units denied by the antigrowth folks at W/J , as one example, has caused at least 600 more commuters from downvalley.
I am too busy paying taxes , but was not Mick the commissioner big on anti-growth / pro-commuter?
I will say he is one of the people most responsible for global warming in this valley with all the commuting he caused.
Wonder what the diesel mileage is on those RFTA buses?
10. B Jon Traylor | June 4th, 2007 at 11:15 am

'El... I ain't the smartest feller out der.... butchya see?.. where I-uhcomes frum, if an Electud efficiul gots to face what too or threeze recalls... wellpardna -- thatsasayin' sumthin rite ders! Yessireeebob.
-- Jim Bob Jumback
11. Wharf Rat | June 4th, 2007 at 1:29 pm

It's funny that my comment would be elevated to front and center page status five days after I wrote it--oh wait, I mean the day before the election. Who exactly is getting conned? I suppose I don't mind being the tiny pawn of an election agenda, but I don't want to be accused by Churchill of being a little Eichmann. I'll just take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to both mayoral candidates--godspeed at the helm of the good ship Aspen!