Interesting Politico article about the last two mayors (Colorado Springs, Penrose: real estate, hotels)

[otowi]

The Short, Unhappy Life of a Libertarian Paradise - POLITICO Magazine

[mtngigi]

Very interesting. Even though I live in Manitou, I'm always interested in the politics of CS, because many times, their decisions have a direct impact to this part of the Pikes Peak region as well.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by mtngigi

Very interesting. Even though I live in Manitou, I'm always interested in the politics of CS, because many times, their decisions have a direct impact to this part of the Pikes Peak region as well.

I live in the county but not the city and likewise, the city elections and politics often impact us even though we are not in the city proper.

[orngkat]

This quote made me chuckle.
"“This town is so easily scammed,” says John Hazlehurst, himself a former council member and now a columnist with the Colorado Springs Business Journal. “Why? Because we’re hicks. It’s really that simple.”
As a newcomer, it makes sense to me now why this potentially great city seems backwards and uninspired.

[TCHP]

For better or worse, COS has culturally ingrained its self to seek monied and altruistic benefactors rather than develop, seek approval for, and integrate comprehensive civic planning. This began with the city's founder William Palmer who not only created the basic layout but donated hotels, park lands, and buildings. It continued at the turn of the last century with Winfield Stratton donating more parks, more buildings, and adding street cars and free concerts and a zoo. It continued into the 20th century with Spec Penrose and the Tutt family adding world class resorts, creating tourism promotions, attracting the military infrastructure we currently have, and developing and managing a huge trust that still exists. Later in the 20th century the Hunt and Hill families have created huge amounts of high end residential real estate along with further development of tourism related infrastructure.

As a result, the city powers tend to talk about plans, kick ideas around, and then look for someone else who has money, contacts, and motivation to implement the change. Combined that with entities such as ultra conservative evangelical groups and anti-tax zealots who fight the creation of internal methods to create the means to fulfill these needs, and the city still tends to fail at follow through.

Since the 1980s, the altruistic and deep pocketed benefactors that made Cos what it was during the last century have not materialized and instead, those we attracted and tried to trust with our plans have actually caused the city much more grief and much more expense as they failed in their efforts.

[Trump_Fan1]

Originally Posted by TCHP

For better or worse, COS has culturally ingrained its self to seek monied and altruistic benefactors rather than develop, seek approval for, and integrate comprehensive civic planning. This began with the city's founder William Palmer who not only created the basic layout but donated hotels, park lands, and buildings. It continued at the turn of the last century with Winfield Stratton donating more parks, more buildings, and adding street cars and free concerts and a zoo. It continued into the 20th century with Spec Penrose and the Tutt family adding world class resorts, creating tourism promotions, attracting the military infrastructure we currently have, and developing and managing a huge trust that still exists. Later in the 20th century the Hunt and Hill families have created huge amounts of high end residential real estate along with further development of tourism related infrastructure.

As a result, the city powers tend to talk about plans, kick ideas around, and then look for someone else who has money, contacts, and motivation to implement the change. Combined that with entities such as ultra conservative evangelical groups and anti-tax zealots who fight the creation of internal methods to create the means to fulfill these needs, and the city still tends to fail at follow through.

Since the 1980s, the altruistic and deep pocketed benefactors that made Cos what it was during the last century have not materialized and instead, those we attracted and tried to trust with our plans have actually caused the city much more grief and much more expense as they failed in their efforts.

Very informative post.