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Monday, May 21, 2012
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Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Breaking News / City Gov / Local News / Health Memorial scraps high-ranking position
Posted by Kirk Woundy on Tue, May 15, 2012 at 3:44 PM
A couple weeks ago, it was the CEO. Then it was the board. Today, it's the CSO — if that's what you can call the "chief strategy officer" at Memorial Health System — who's saying goodbye.
Carm Moceri will be leaving MHS, and apparently no one will be taking his place. Here's the press release:
- Courtesy Memorial Health System
- Leaving soon: Carm Moceri.
Memorial’s Chief Strategy Officer Position EliminatedMemorial Health System is eliminating the chief strategy officer position from its senior leadership team. This change is a result of the anticipated transition to University of Colorado Health, which is expected to occur later this summer after a public vote.
This position has been held by Carm Moceri, who will be leaving the organization. Moceri’s last day has not been determined.
The primary responsibilities of a chief strategy officer are, as the name implies, exploring and planning strategic initiatives for an organization. Until Memorial’s future governance is determined, there is a minimal need for strategic planning.
Moceri was asked to assist Memorial on a consulting basis in February 2008. Later, he was hired to oversee Memorial’s strategic planning. He played a critical role in positioning Memorial to withstand sweeping changes in the health care industry at the local, state and national levels.
Moceri began his health care career as a nurse before quickly rising to a leadership role. He has more than 20 years of executive experience, including as president of several hospitals in multi-hospital, multi-state health systems.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Breaking News / Media / Local News / Economy / Business Indy will take over Business Journal
Posted by Kirk Woundy on Mon, May 14, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Text from a press release going out momentarily:
The owners of the Colorado Springs Independent, the Pikes Peak region’s largest locally owned media company, will acquire the Colorado Springs Business Journal on June 1, 2012 from the Dolan Company, a national media conglomerate that owns more than 50 publications across the U.S.The new owners also will apply to service Dolan’s contract publishing of three local military newspapers: the Fort Carson Mountaineer, Peterson (Air Force Base) Space Observer and Schriever (AFB) Sentinel. More than 68,000 local adults read these publications in print, and thousands more via their popular web portals. (see below)
“Local decision-makers with long-term commitments to — and understanding of — our vibrant community are the key to success,” says John Weiss, publisher of the Independent and majority owner of the purchasing group.
“During the next three to six months, to ensure a smooth transition from national to local control, the Independent’s Executive Editor Ralph Routon and CEO Fran Zankowski will divide their time between both organizations. For the time being, former City Councilor John Hazlehurst will also report and opine for both the CSBJ and the Indy."
“We’re looking forward to making the Business Journal a stronger, more essential presence,” says Routon, whose local newspaper roots date to 1977. “Business is the most powerful force shaping the Pikes Peak region.
My mission is to ensure the Business Journal continues to provide timely, accurate and insightful reporting of critical interest to local decision-makers.”
“The current staff at CSBJ and the military papers is rock-solid,” said Zankowski, a longtime newspaper executive who has been at the Independent since 2005. “In the coming months and years we anticipate growing the current 20-person staff to publish even stronger print and online offerings.”
“We are psyched,” added Weiss, who co-founded the Independent 19 years ago. The 1978 Colorado College graduate continued, “Six months from now the CSBJ will be even more of a must-read for everyone interested in understanding the entrepreneurial, civic and demographic forces impacting local business decisions.”
Find out more about the change in Wednesday's Indy.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Breaking News / Politics The roots of Romney's obsession with gays
Posted by Bill Forman on Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:09 AM
As someone who mostly writes about music, I've pretty much kept quiet about the current presidential race, other than to chronicle former contender Jon Huntsman outing himself as a fan of avant-bluesman Captain Beefheart. (See "Huntsman Drops Out on Beefheart's Birthday.")
But this morning's Washington Post story on candidate Mitt Romney's "youthful indiscretions," to borrow a term from famous GOP philanderer Henry Hyde, is well worth noting — especially in a country where popular (and now presidential) opinion condemns discrimination against gays. Consider this prep school incident:
"John Lauber, a soft-spoken new student one year behind Romney, was perpetually teased for his nonconformity and presumed homosexuality. Now he was walking around the all-boys school with bleached-blond hair that draped over one eye, and Romney wasn’t having it.“He can’t look like that. That’s wrong. Just look at him!” an incensed Romney told Matthew Friedemann, his close friend in the Stevens Hall dorm, according to Friedemann’s recollection. Mitt, the teenaged son of Michigan Gov. George Romney, kept complaining about Lauber’s look, Friedemann recalled.
A few days later, Friedemann entered Stevens Hall off the school’s collegiate quad to find Romney marching out of his own room ahead of a prep school posse shouting about their plan to cut Lauber’s hair. Friedemann followed them to a nearby room where they came upon Lauber, tackled him and pinned him to the ground. As Lauber, his eyes filling with tears, screamed for help, Romney repeatedly clipped his hair with a pair of scissors.
The incident was recalled similarly by five students, who gave their accounts independently of one another."
Personally, I think Romney's history of intolerance and cowardice — seriously, a prep school posse? — is less than ideal for a would-be leader of the free world, or whatever U.S. presidents are calling themselves these days. But it does speak to the mindset behind his increasingly out-of-step views on same-sex marriages.
On the plus side, Romney no longer assaults gays with scissors. As far as we know.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Breaking News / City Gov Memorial board officially removed after only one resignation
Posted by Pam Zubeck on Wed, May 2, 2012 at 5:04 PM
Under orders to resign or be ousted, all but one member of the city-owned Memorial Health System dug in their heels and refused to step aside.
The council voted 7-0 Tuesday afternoon to ask the unpaid board to resign by 5 p.m. today or be removed, so that vote means the board was out at the designated time.
After that deadline passed, City Council released the following statement:
Council removes Memorial Board of TrusteesAs of 5 p.m. today, Council received one letter of resignation from Memorial Trustee Donald
Gazibara, MD. Per Council action on May 1, the following trustees who did not voluntarily resign were
removed by Council at 5:01p.m. today: James Moore, PhD, Vic Andrews, William Crouch, MD,
Yolanda Fennick, Paul Johnson, G. Jeff Murrell, Arlene Patterson Stein, PhD, RN and Dar Larson.
Marijane Axtell Paulsen, PhD resigned from the Board on Monday.At a special meeting on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 9 a.m., City Council will appoint a new Board of
Trustees consisting of at least five members but no more than 15 members. At least one council
member will be appointed to serve as an ex officio member. Karen Anthony, MD, Chief of Staff for
Memorial Health System, will remain in her role as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees, per
the bylaws of Memorial Hospital.
The removal happened because of the board's action to give outgoing Memorial CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy a $1.15 million severance package, which includes 18 months salary, a car and money for career development. McEvoy had been at the hospital less than five years.
The board contended the agreement was in line with industry standards, even though it was three times more than McEvoy's contract provision for six months severance pay.
One board member, Dr. Don Gazibara, did resign today, and Marijane Paulsen resigned Monday for a reportedly unrelated reason.
The rest of the board issued a statement through the PR department at the hospital. Those members include board chair James Moore, Vic Andrews, Bill Crouch, Yolanda Fennick, Paul Johnson, Jeff Murrell and Arlene Stein.
The statement in full:
We, the Memorial Health System Board of Trustees, in fulfillment of our fiduciary responsibility, refuse to resign from our posts and will wait for City Council to remove us at 5 p.m. today.
To step down voluntarily is to concede that politics is more important than doing the right thing or
making tough decisions. That is a concession we cannot, in good conscience, make.The Board has never wavered in its commitment to the best interest of the health system, and we therefore
regret this action taken by City Council. For years, this volunteer group of seasoned executives and professionals has dedicated thousands of hours of service and experience to Memorial. We are proud of our work. Under our governance:
-Memorial’s quality and safety has improved.
-Memorial’s financial value has improved.
-Employees at all levels have received pay increases to bring them to market standards.
-Memorial has been positioned for potential long-term success with University of Colorado Health.Despite the public outcry over our latest decision, we remain convinced it was fair and appropriate. The
gross mischaracterizations at the heart of this outcry are saddening, for history of this event will be
written in a way that does not reflect reality. Although we will soon no longer be leading Memorial, our dedication to its mission remains steadfast.Words cannot express the pride we have in our employees, physicians and leadership. During a time of
great uncertainty, our team has continued to provide outstanding care. The board remains supportive of the likely University of Colorado Health lease arrangement and hopes that the broader community will also see the wisdom of this relationship. We have been honored to serve as guardians of Memorial Health System, and we are grateful to have had this opportunity.
- James P. Moore, PhD, Board Chair on behalf of seven citizen volunteer trustees
Ex-officio members of the board, chief of staff Dr. Karen Anthony and auxiliary president Dar Larson weren't affected by the council's edict.
Council will meet at 9 a.m. Friday to appoint five people from the local health care industry to serve on the board. The University of Colorado Health System lease is expected to be placed on a special ballot for an August vote.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Breaking News / Local News / Health UPDATE: Memorial board affirms McEvoy severance, heads for showdown with City Council
Posted by Ralph Routon on Tue, May 1, 2012 at 7:02 AM
Today at 4 p.m., the Colorado Springs City Council will convene for a special meeting with one agenda item, "the governance of Memorial Health System," though that apparently means resolving two issues.
One, whether to rescind the Memorial board's $1.15 million severance agreement with departing CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy, reaffirmed Monday by the MHS trustees.
Two, but possibly being addressed first, whether to remove the MHS board effective immediately.
The meeting will take place in the Council chambers at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave.
Indications are that two Council members will be absent, Bernie Herpin and Brandy Williams, meaning only four votes would constitute a majority instead of the usual five.
—————FIRST UPDATE, POSTED AT 8:41 P.M. MONDAY——————
Memorial Health System CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy spoke by phone Monday night with Indy senior reporter Pam Zubeck, who reports the following:
McEvoy says the board several years ago adopted a pay philosophy of compensating in the middle of the market. He says the severance package falls within those guidelines and is "an extension of that philosophy."
His departure, he says, is by mutual agreement, because the board had agreed "when the day comes when I can't advance the well-being of the organization" he would leave. "When everyone is looking toward this new day," he says, referring to the lease with University of Colorado Health System, "the board and I agree this organization is better without me." He also says, "Having me around was starting to be a lightning-rod issue."
"I think the conclusion we came to was my presence was no longer advancing the organization strategically," he says. "I was becoming a bit of a lightning rod, distracting from the alignment in the community" with the UCH lease, on which voters are expected to vote in August.
He called the board's earlier consideration of retention pay for executives about a month ago "due diligence" on an issue that should have been addressed years earlier. He also said his contract was "out of whack with the market," leading the board to increase his severance pay from a half year's pay, roughly $338,000, to roughly 18 months pay or $1 million.
"It's the board's job to put a separation package together for me," he says, though he adds that he did consult an attorney for help with the separation agreement's details. "The board made the decision. I realize it's a lot of money to the average wage-earner, and I respect that."
McEvoy says he has no plans for his future yet but would like to remain in the administrative end of health care, rather than return to clinical work, which brought him here nearly five years ago as an emergency room doc. He says he will "exit as gracefully as possible, take a deep breath with my family" and "let the bruises heal and get back in the game."
He wouldn't speculate about whether his departure and severance package would help or hurt the chances of voters approving the UCH lease, saying, "I supposed that depends on how people choose to act and how the community decides what's best for the community. I needed to get out of the way so people can focus on the real issues. This is a big opportunity ahead for us."
He said he still believes converting Memorial to an independent nonprofit is the best way to go, but the UCH relationship "has great potential," he says. "I think the box we're creating is better than the box we have," he says. His regret, he says, is that he didn't realize earlier that his enthusiasm for the conversion to an independent nonprofit was being construed as his idea instead of "our idea." He also regrets that he wasn't able to communicate the message more effectively.
Monday night, the Memorial board of trustees also released this statement:
The Memorial Health System Board of Trustees stands by its separation agreement with outgoing CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy, including the financial terms as originally agreed upon. We recognize the unpopularity of this action, but it is the right and responsible thing to do.While this action has been portrayed by the media and others as outrageous, the reality is that this is a fair – and conservative – severance package for a CEO of a health system this size. By virtually any standard, the role and associated compensation agreements for the CEO of a half-billion-dollar health system cannot accurately be compared to a typical city manager’s.
The Board recognizes that City Council is considering removing Trustees from our appointed seats. While we accept these risks, we urge Council not to take such action, for it could imperil the health system at a critical time. Removing Memorial’s governing body could result in a downgraded bond rating and complicate negotiations with University of Colorado Health.
The Board’s focus must always be on the best interest of the health system. Our goal is to keep Memorial as strong and healthy as possible through the anticipated transition to UCH in the months ahead. At that time, UCH and City Council would appoint the health system board.
This commitment to a strong and healthy Memorial is one we should all share because our patients and community stand to benefit from what is to come.
——————ORIGINAL POST, 6:13 P.M. MONDAY———————
Memorial Health System's board of trustees, in a special meeting late Monday afternoon, reaffirmed its earlier vote to give outgoing CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy a $1.15 million severance package.
After nearly 90 minutes in executive session, the Memorial board voted 8-1 to move forward with what board chair James Moore called "an existing legal contract" tied to McEvoy's departure, effective Friday.
Now the matter goes to City Council, which will convene a special meeting Tuesday afternoon with Memorial as the only agenda item. One of Council's options would be to remove the board immediately, with Council either taking over governance of MHS or appointing a new board.
McEvoy did not attend Monday's meeting, because he was traveling back to Colorado Springs from a medical conference. It was not clear whether he would go to the Council meeting Tuesday.
Regardless, though, it's unclear whether Council has the authority to negate the severance agreement, which initially was negotiated on April 19 before the MHS board officially approved it last week.
Before the vote taken Monday, Moore announced that board secretary Marijane Axtell Paulsen, former president of Colorado Technical University and Pikes Peak Community College, had resigned during the meeting.
The single "no" vote came from Dr. Karen Anthony, Memorial's chief of staff, who said afterward that "the public outcry changed my mind ... I was not comfortable with the fallout."
Moore acknowledged the negative public reaction, but insisted that McEvoy's severance package was "low by industry standards." Moore added that to un-do that package would damage Memorial's chances of "attracting competent executives in the future."
As for what might happen with City Council, Moore refused to speculate. Several Council members have expressed their disgust with the McEvoy deal, but it's unclear if there would be enough votes to oust the MHS board. City Attorney Chris Melcher is expected to address legal issues with Council before any decision is made.
"I'm trying to decide whether to wear my funeral suit," Moore said, not laughing. He said he has served on Memorial's board for nearly 10 years.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Breaking News / Local News / Health UPDATE: Hente calls special Council meeting Tuesday after Bach's request
Posted by Ralph Routon on Sat, Apr 28, 2012 at 5:18 PM
- File photo
- Mayor Bach asks Council to take immediate action.
City Council President Scott Hente just announced, at about 5:15 p.m. Saturday, he was calling a special Council meeting Tuesday in response to Mayor Steve Bach's request earlier in the day.
Hente sent an e-mail to Bach, Council and staff saying the following:
This morning, Jan [Martin] and I met with the leadership of the Memorial Hospital System Board of Trustees. As a result of that meeting, I am making the following announcement:Under the authority granted me by the Rules and Procedures of City Council, I am calling a Special Meeting of City Council for 4:00 PM on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The meeting will be in Council Chambers at City Hall. The one agenda item for the meeting will be the governance of Memorial Health System.
Please take the necessary actions, with at least 24 hours notice, to post the appropriate notifications for this meeting. I would also request, Aimee, that you work with the City Communications Office and make sure that an appropriate press release is issued with regards to this meeting.
Respectfully,
Scott Hente
President, Colorado Springs City Council
——————ORIGINAL POST, 9:08 A.M., SATURDAY, APRIL 28——————
It may be Saturday, but Mayor Steve Bach isn't letting off days hold him back from pursuing the Memorial Health System board's controversial decision to give outgoing CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy a severance package worth more than $1 million.
This morning, Bach has sent an e-mail to City Council President Scott Hente, asking Council to step in and prevent the MHS board from finalizing the deal with McEvoy. Bach requests that Hente call a special meeting of Council this week to take action, and to remove the Memorial board if necessary.
Bach's e-mail in its entirety:
Scott,This is to respectfully ask that you contact James Moore immediately to request a hold on executing the McEvoy severance agreement. Also, this is to respectfully ask that you hold a special session of City Council early next week to vote on giving the MHS Board current direction on this matter.
The planned 18-months severance for Dr. McEvoy is not consistent with the 6 months specified in his employment agreement nor is it consistent with Council's longstanding policy limiting severance for senior managers for the general municipal government to not more than 6 months.
In the event the MHS Board does not promptly comply with Council's directive after your vote, then I respectfully suggest that Council terminate the entire Board, substitute Council as the Board and reduce the severance to no more than 6 months.
It is essential to the success of our City that Council and I do everything possible to rebuild citizens' trust in our municipal government. Council's swift, resolute action on this matter is important toward that end. While I understand that MHS reports through it's Board to Council, not to the Mayor, my thanks to your colleagues and you for considering my counsel.
Steve Bach
Mayor
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Breaking News / County Gov / State Gov / Local News / Politics Local GOP surprises some incumbents; Dems will contest HD 17
Posted by Chet Hardin on Sat, Mar 24, 2012 at 6:00 PM
- File photo
- Sallie Clark still is on the ballot, but her Republican challenger obviously has support as well.
County Commissioner Sallie Clark and veteran state lawmakers Larry Liston and Amy Stephens found out Saturday that their years in elected office won’t guarantee them anything in the 2012 primary election on June 26.
At the local Republicans’ county assembly, at Liberty High School, Clark lost the top ballot position for the GOP primary in her bid for a third term in Commissioner District 3 to rookie challenger Karen Magistrelli. Also, after serving the limit of four terms in the state House, Liston was out-voted Saturday in his bid for top billing in a state Senate race by Owen Hill, who never has served in public office.
And in the House race between two incumbents pitted against each other by reapportionment, House Majority Leader Stephens of Monument lost the top primary ballot position to Rep. Marsha Looper of Calhan by a slim margin.
Meanwhile, highlighting the Democrats’ county assembly at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, delegates were surprised to learn that the party will challenge Republican state Rep. Mark Barker in an effort to regain the House District 17 seat that Barker won in 2010.
Tony Exum Sr., a retired local firefighter who ran unsuccessfully for a City Council at-large position last year, and who had previously declined local Dems' overtures to run in HD 17, stepped up. Exum made the decision late in the week after meeting with party officials. When he was introduced Saturday by state Rep. Pete Lee, the delegates greeted Exum with a standing ovation.
Other Republican incumbents fared better: County Commissioner Amy Lathen soundly defeated challenger Phil McDonald, who will now have to petition onto the ballot. Commissioner Dennis Hisey prevailed over Auddie Cox. State Rep. Janak Joshi also won by a large margin over challenger Mike Garner for a House seat.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Breaking News Sale of Ivywild to Bristol/Blue Star complete
Posted by Matthew Schniper on Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 4:39 PM
District 11 just announced the completion of the sale of the former Ivywild elementary school to Mike Bristol, Joseph Coleman and Jim Fennell.
You may recall our coverage for the envisioned Ivywild project, dating back to July, 2010, which we updated this past February.
The gist is that Bristol Brewing Company will gain a much-needed increase in brewing capacity as well as new office space in Ivywild and an expanded tasting room, complete with food offerings. An offshoot of the Blue Star, the Old School Bakery, will also find a home there, likely integrating coffee service.
"I'm just excited," says Bristol. "We've had so much support from the neighborhood and community and we're excited to get this built for them and us."
Several other community tie-ins have been planned, including the construction of a greenhouse and community gardens via Pikes Peak Urban Gardens that will grow products for elements of the new Ivywild. A gymnasium will allow space for such activities as yoga classes and KRCC community events; and an arts component (gallery space, etc.) is also in serious discussion.
"We're really excited about what's gonna happen," says Coleman. "If we achieve what we're hoping to achieve, it should be very, very cool."
You can read the full D-11 press release here:
News_Release-Ivywild_Sale-3-21-12.pdf
- Matthew Schniper
- Ivywild investors Mike Bristol (left), Jim Fennell (middle) and Joseph Coleman, as photographed back in the former elementary school in mid 2010. Yes, this project has been a while in the making.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Breaking News / Sports Manning agrees to five-year deal, news conference this afternoon
Posted by Ralph Routon on Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Four-time MVP quarterback Peyton Manning has agreed to a five-year, $96 million contract with the Denver Broncos, the Denver Post is reporting.
The Post also says Manning's deal includes "injury protection for the Broncos."
Manning arrived in Denver this morning and will be introduced at a 1 p.m. news conference. He reportedly has also received permission from long-ago Denver quarterback Frank Tripucka to wear No. 18 in Denver. The number had been retired by the Broncos.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Breaking News / Sports Manning chooses Broncos; Tebow likely to be traded
Posted by Ralph Routon on Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Peyton Manning apparently wants to join the Denver Broncos. ESPN and other media are reporting that the four-time NFL most valuable player has instructed his agent today to negotiate a contract with Denver.
Various sources also are reporting that, as soon as Manning's deal is done, Denver will trade young quarterback Tim Tebow. Recent reports have indicated that the Jacksonville Jaguars are interested, and Tebow grew up there before playing at the University of Florida. New England also reportedly has expressed interest in Tebow.
The 35-year-old Manning, who will turn 36 on Saturday, ranks third in NFL history in three categories: touchdown passes, 399; passing yards, 54,828; and completions, 4,682.
Manning, who sat out the 2011 season after undergoing neck surgery, was released March 9 by the Indianapolis Colts, who decided not to pay him a large bonus and plan instead to take a quarterback with the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Manning visited and considered several teams, most notably the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers. But his first visit was to Denver, and his longtime relationship with Denver legend John Elway, now in charge of the team's football operations, was obviously an important factor in Manning's decision.
Longtime Denver linebacker Tom Jackson, now an ESPN analyst, said on the cable network that anyone who cares about the Broncos should be thrilled because "they just acquired the quarterback of our generation."
Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil, talking on ESPN, called it "such a historic move by our organization ... but I don't want to put too much pressure on Peyton."
Friday, March 9, 2012
Breaking News / Media / Local News / Business Business Journal apparently will be sold
Posted by Ralph Routon on Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 10:19 AM
More change is coming to the local media market: The Colorado Springs Business Journal is reporting on its website that the paper will be sold by its parent, the Dolan Company, which is headquartered in Minneapolis.
Dolan also is selling another of its properties, the Mississippi Business Journal. There was no indication in the CSBJ report about buyers, timing or selling prices. Employees apparently were told because the possible transactions would be part of Dolan's quarterly report to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dolan has owned the local weekly publication for more than two decades.
The full story is at csbj.com, but here's how it begins:
The Dolan Company has entered negotiations to sell two of its properties — the Colorado Springs Business Journal and the Mississippi Business Journal.Executives from Dolan, a publicly traded company, are not commenting about who the buyers are, or about the selling prices of either publication. Business Journal employees were notified hours before the company filed its quarterly earnings report with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dolan owns newspapers in 21 markets.
“In 2011, management committed to a plan of action to dispose of two of our smallest-market operating units within the Business Information Division,” the filing said. “We expect the sale of these assets to occur in 2012, and as such, have classified the results of the operations — including the impairment charges and certain exit costs, as discontinued operations.”
Monday, March 5, 2012
Breaking News / Politics / Military Obama to speak at AFA graduation
Posted by Pam Zubeck on Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 10:12 AM
President Barack Obama will be the speaker at the graduation of the Air Force Academy Class of 2012 on May 23.
The president usually rotates with the secretary of defense, Air Force secretary and vice president in giving the keynote address during the graduation ceremony, traditionally staged at Falcon Stadium.
"We're waiting on the announcement to come out," says Lt. Col. John Bryan, director of communications at the academy. "Yeah, that's been the game plan all along. It's our turn to get him in the rotation."
Since the academy hadn't yet disclosed officially that the president would speak, there was no immediate information as to how to obtain tickets other than a reference on the academy's website here about cadets being given as many as they like.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Breaking News / Politics Cover story update: Conservative Colorado group scores points with Supreme Court
Posted by Bill Forman on Sat, Feb 18, 2012 at 2:02 PM
On Friday night, ATP scored a significant victory as the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Montana Supreme Court decision, thereby suspending the state's restrictions against super PAC's directly influencing the political process.
By all indications, this is a prelude to the Supreme Court reviewing a case that's likely to brings the whole controversy around Citizens United v Federal Election Commission back into the political and media spotlight. National polls have shown little public support for the ruling that enables corporate super-PACs to funnel unlimited amounts of money into influencing political campaigns.
Currently, groups like ATP, whose stated goal is to fight "radical environmentalism" and to "crush Gang Green and their anti-business allies," do not have to reveal where their money comes from — or, for that matter, where it goes.
During our interview last month, American Tradition Partnership Executive Director Donald Ferguson admitted his group served as a conduit for some serious money during 2010's Montana political campaigns, but assured me "it was not over $500,000."
In an interview for the same story, Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock defended his state supreme court's decision, while insisting that the blunt wording of its attack on ATP for "questionable tactics and blatant hypocrisy" was justified.
"I think if you read the dissent in the Citizens United case, those four justices were uncharacteristically blunt about their concerns," said Bullock, who's also running for Montana governor this year. "So our Montana Supreme Court, in looking at Western Tradition Partnership and the number of lawsuits that they have filed, I think they've expressed some concerns about what this organization is and what's behind it."
Look for those and other questions to be revisited as this story continues to play out.
Read the full Indy cover story here.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Breaking News / Local News / Politics Bruce gets six months in jail, six years probation
Posted by Ralph Routon on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Douglas Bruce has been sentenced to six months in the Denver County Jail, starting Friday, and six years of probation for his December conviction on three felony counts and one misdemeanor for tax evasion.
Denver District Court Judge Anne Mansfield ordered this afternoon that Bruce serve the jail time, then submit to closely supervised probation supervised by the economic crime unit of the Denver District Court. It means he also will have to make known all of his financial activities and accounts.
Afterward, Bruce called himself a "political prisoner" and said he would appeal, and prevail.
Mansfield, during a 15-minute statement, was sharply critical of Bruce's behavior, saying he showed no remorse, no admission of guilt, did not obey court orders during the trial and that "he's never wrong."
The 62-year-old Bruce, who did not speak at the sentencing hearing, appeared for a few moments to be avoiding jail time, according to Twitter reports from the courtroom. But that suddenly changed when Judge Mansfield ordered the six-month sentence. He could have been sentenced to as long as 12 years for his conviction. Mansfield made it clear, however, that if Bruce violates any of the 20 conditions for his probation, he will have to serve more time in jail. He also will have to pay all back taxes, plus interest.
The prosecution recommended at least two years of jail time and also asked for more than $20,000 in prosecution costs. Bruce will have a month to file an answer and the judge will make a determination.
Prosecutors also told the court that the Internal Revenue Service has asked for their files on Bruce and will be doing an investigation as well.
Attorney David Lane, who represented Bruce at the hearing, told Mansfield that Bruce shouldn't go to jail and that he was a victim of a witch hunt.
Bruce has told media he has prepared a seven-page appeal of his conviction.
It also came out in the hearing today that a court reporter found evidence given to Bruce in the street outside the courthouse, tossed aside following trial.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Breaking News / Sports / Local News Air Force fires Reynolds as basketball coach
Posted by Ralph Routon on Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Jeff Reynolds had a tough act to follow as Air Force's head men's basketball coach.
For nearly five seasons, Reynolds tried to bring the AFA program back up to where it had been earlier in the last decade, when former head coaches Joe Scott, Chris Mooney and then Jeff Bzdelik changed the Falcons' personality and produced huge successes.
But in the end, Reynolds was simply overmatched. This was a pivotal season for him anyway, but after Air Force fell into a six-game tailspin over the past month, AFA athletic director Hans Mueh wouldn't defend his coach any longer.
Tuesday afternoon, Reynolds was fired effective immediately, not given the chance to even finish the season. One of his assistants, Dave Pilipovich, will finish the season as Mueh begins looking for a replacement.
Air Force actually still was 11-10 for this season, but only because of a stack of wins against inferior nonleague opponents before Mountain West Conference play began. After winning their MWC opener at Boise State, the Falcons have lost six in a row, capped last week by an 81-42 blowout defeat at home to New Mexico and a 67-49 loss at Colorado State. Reynolds' overall record was 63-82.
With only one game scheduled this week, here Saturday against Boise State, Mueh met with the players and then made the decision. At the announcement, he talked about wanting to give the Falcons a chance to enjoy their remaining games. He also hinted that Reynolds' intense style had worn down the players.
It's too early to speculate on what direction Air Force might take next, but Mountain West schools have been able to hire some highly visible coaches in recent years, such as Steve Alford at New Mexico, Steve Fisher at San Diego State and Lon Kruger at Nevada-Las Vegas. (Kruger left after last season for Oklahoma.)
From the AFA news release, quoting Mueh:
Why was this decision made?“It wasn’t just a slide in wins and losses, but it was a slide in the look in the player’s eyes. They weren’t having fun playing this game anymore. And when it isn’t fun playing a game that you love, it is time to make a change. We are all about producing leaders of character for the Air Force and we feel strongly that the athletic program we offer at the Air Force Academy is part of that leadership development. This one wasn’t doing what we hoped it would do as a leadership development tool. With all due respect to coach Reynolds, it was time to make a change and infuse a little bit of energy, laughter and fun into this program and to the great athletes that are out there.”
Was there any one incident that went into this decision?
What had everything to do with this decision is trying to get these young men back to this game that they have loved since they were three or four years old and going out and having fun. I could care less if we don’t’ win another game, but I care a lot about their atmosphere and attitude out on the floor. I want them to jump up and high five each other. I want them to smile. I want them to give it their best shot out there and whatever happens happens.
Why was the decision made now?
There are a couple reasons. This is a break in the schedule. This is halfway through the conference schedule and there is a lot of basketball left. This was a real opportunity during this dead week when we don’t have a Wednesday game to assess this and I felt that after all the data I took in, I had to make the move now.
Later, Air Force released the following statement from Reynolds: "Janet and I would like to thank all the staff and their families, the players and their families and fans for the past four and one-half seasons. We appreciated the opportunity and everyone’s support to coach at such a great institution, the Air Force Academy. While I am very saddened and disappointed with the decision, I do think our staff did many good things. I want to thank Dr. Mueh and the leadership at the Academy for the opportunity. I wish the program much success."
