A Quick Aside--Why I'm Blogging for the Aspen Post

Now that I've written two blog posts, I want to give a quick aside in my posts about the Sheriff's race on my intent and philosophy in blogging on this subject (I may blog on other subjects as well). I hope to blog at least once a week, and so now at the outset I want to put my cards on the table. Foremost, I want to make clear that I think this race should not be about personalities--I don't know Bob Braudis personally but he seems like a stand-up person--but the policies and need to reinvigorate an office.

I think the Aspen Post is a great forum, particularly in that you can be unfliltered in your views and forthright in your intent. I don't agree that, despite Bill O'Reilly's in your face claims, there is any "spin-free" writings about politics. Blogs, and even "mainstream" news outlets, are spin zones. Thus, herein lies my agenda.

Continue Reading Add comment August 10th, 2006

What Happened To "If You Don't Want It Printed, Don't Let It Happen"?

Last Saturday's Aspen Daily News story finally uncovered where Bob Braudis was for the last four weeks--in rehab at the Desert Canyon alchohol and drug clinic.

But how it became news was due not to any initiative at the paper to find out why Bob was missing for (most of) seven weeks, but to what can fairly be called a "trick" by Rick Magnuson.

I don't personally like the trick. It's not nearly to Karl Rove depths, and Rick was 100% forthcoming in disclosing what he did, but it was a trick. And in Pitkin County, we should be debating the issues.

However, what is also clear is that the local press abdicated any responsibilities in taking action in rooting out this story. And without the trick, it would likely have been unreported by an "official" news source.

Continue Reading 3 comments August 9th, 2006

Braudis Absence Highlights Accountability Lapse

Bob Braudis returned to office two Mondays back after a seven week absence. During his leave, as reported in the Daily News, senior officials in Pitkin County could not attest for his whereabouts.

Reading and following this story, I'm a bit dumbfounded.

Personally, I can not recall any organization--public or private--where the leader/CEO/chief leaves mid-job unaccounted for almost two months, returning "refreshed" as if nothing serious has happened, without any implications.

How can you run an effective and efficient operation being absent for
two months, without clear communication to your constituents and
stakeholders where you are, how you can be reached, and how key decisions are made?

Continue Reading 8 comments August 2nd, 2006