This update post is brought to you today by ‘guyinathinsuit’, co-founder of ‘smalltown7'.
"From August 6 2012, on through her own testimony admission under oath on August 13, 2012, the President and CEO of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association was named by fourteen sworn under oath individuals as the primary leader of a vigilante group of three women who sought to take the law into their own hands over a period of five years.
With the now publicly documented power and assistance of the 9th Judicial District Office of the District Attorney Martin Beeson.
With the now publicly stated cooperation in local media by Virgili herself, and by the publicly documented through her own testimony: apathy of GSCRA, the City of Glenwood Springs City Council, COGS administration and city tourism boards (past and present). With the Glenwood Springs Police Department and Garfield County Sheriff’s cooperation due to their now publicly documented through the district attorney's office own sworn admissions; absence of enforcing and protecting the law over the five year period in question; these fourteen individuals spoke in different ways regarding Marianne Virgili’s leadership of this vigilante effort.
What is especially noteworthy in each of these individual testimonies is that none of them retracted in any way how significant and involved Virgili was as she gathered them in her effort. Most gave detail and were not reluctant in doing so.
One of Virgili’s cohorts was named repeatedly by the majority of testimony; with the third woman involved being made the obvious scapegoat by Virgili herself under oath as the trial heated up and pressure on the prosecution increased. Locals recognize that pattern of Marianne in shifting blame and dirtying of others hands any time she is put into an unfavorable public eye. ‘smalltown7' does not condone the actions of the third woman of this group but does recognize her vulnerability to that unbridled power now.
What is ironically noteworthy in further testimony by Virgili on 13 August, are her admissions under oath of her use of GSCRA credit for personal use and her justification of her actions once again being accepted as a proper use of public funds by the GSCRA Board of Directors.
Locals can think back to the year 2005 and the ‘odd’ use (still not fully accounted for in 2012) of $86,000 plus change of public funds within GSCRA and accused by former whistles as inappropriate use of public funds and reimbursements.
Locals can now add on an admitted on 13 August 2012, by Virgili, of nearly $11,000 (spent in 2008) for personal use that was "paid back" by John and Marianne Virgili on an undisclosed by the District Attorney date in 2009 and only after still yet another exposure by a whistle blower.
All local business owners can continue to watch Marianne, as spokesperson on behalf of this one 501C-6 organization, rob them of their voice and proclaim through local print media that they can rest safely in their beds at night as long as she and her vigilantism is at the helm of our business community.
One of my co-founders of ‘smalltown7' coined a phrase a few years back that I am going to borrow part of now:
"The irony does not escape me.." that any resident of 81601, who blindly follows the power of a few in our business community that are headed by such individuals as Virgili and GSCRA, can also rest easy in their beds at night knowing that the full, totalitarian power of the state is behind GSCRA and such people as Marianne no matter how unethical, unlawful and presumptuous their actions may be.
Roughly a year or so ago, ‘smalltown7' announced here on safeplace that we pulled more than a decade of CORA and FOIA records on tourism board contracts, funds spent and various other information. We then took that information and laid it out side by side with hard and dated evidence of Virgili’s now admitted under oath vigilante efforts, what the court and public have had held back from their view by the power of the state over the past three years in hard evidence of wrongdoing by Virgili and the actual production of viable tourism gain against accommodations revenue in 81601.
Last week, after realizing that the testimony of Virgili herself gives now more publicly documented proof of ‘odd’ handling of public funds by Virgili and the decision making by GSCRA to justify all that Marianne does; we logged that information into a detailed time line spanning from 2004 through to present day.
The trail of swift and near immediate social and business retaliation to anyone, whistle or otherwise that dares to speak up in either question or protest of any abuse by GSCRA or Virgili, is documented from 2004 so very clearly in our time line we all had to step back and triple check the data.
Between city records, public revenue records, hard data from all who have suffered over the years at that hand of vengeance and the now sworn admissions by others and Virgili herself as to specific dates; there is no denying that the City of Glenwood Springs, all related city, county, federal law enforcement and the 9th Judicial District have turned their eyes and backs on investigating valid complaints over the years.
‘smalltown7' has seen nothing in the outcome of the vigilante efforts of Marianne Virgili to sway us from our support of the latest whistle. In fact, after now seeing the catastrophic abuse of the power of the state and the near rape of law and ethics by the state in its blind support of Virgili and cohorts; we stand more firmly than ever behind the latest whistle as she moves through the appellate process.
The outpouring of email to us since Virgli’s testimony and the testimony of 14 others naming Marianne has been tremendous.
We agree with you that the supporting of Randi Lowenthal’s newest efforts to boost small business within 81601 is to be supported heavily and we encourage you to throw monetary support to Randi’s resource. We thank COGS City Council for finally recognizing Randi’s efforts are the best for our business community.
Coming up in early September at city council is a request for COGS to release to the current tourism marketing vendor of GSCRA, the additional funds left over from the accommodations tax collections. JUST SAY NO. Until the day comes when the City of Glenwood Springs takes full stewardship and responsibility for every questionable decision made by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association; JUST SAY NO to the release of more public funds into that non-profit entity's hands.
We agree with you that there is no place within our business community for any organization, but especially one in a position of the trust of a non-profit, that abuses their power to such an extent it brings harm of any kind to a business or individual within our community. Boycott and speak up against in whatever way you can safely do so. The depth of overwhelming arrogance and self-righteous declaration of being above the law was so pronounced as I sat in the gallery and watched this trial; I was ashamed to be a member of the bar here in the 9th. Our legal communities within our district are currently filled with similar feeling members.
As strong and dare we say, now powerful conservative voices within our community, we urge you to vote for Democrat Sherry Caloia for District Attorney of the 9th and completely clean house on every available seat upcoming within our BOCC and City Council. For the first time in my life, I am voting blue instead of red on a number of those upcoming seats. You should too.
Out of consideration for the appellate efforts of the latest whistle, comment ability on this post is blocked.
‘smalltown7' once again turns the volume back on, turns it up and keeps talking."
Showing posts with label whistleblow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whistleblow. Show all posts
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Current Watch: Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce. City Council Brings Forward Ordinance Changes to Protect Tourism Fund
(Below this post today is a summary of the long standing whistleblower issues surrounding our Chamber of Commerce. The primary issue being the surrounding of the Tourism Marketing Contract and alleged misappropriation of public funds. )
On July 1st, 2010, our City Council meeting begins the process of covering proposed changes to the relationship between the public Accommodations Tax, the current Tourism Board and the tourism marketing contractor in our Chamber of Commerce. http://alturl.com/wv7y
Smalltown7 has reviewed the current council packet and the proposed changes to the existing Ordinance.
We state again that we will take the win.
We state again that it is not enough.
Especially now that the wording of proposed change is reviewed.
This proposal is a watered down, designed to make politicians happy piece of milk toast.
Change will come for sure and it is good change. It’s also change that has no accountability except for 'future' board, council and city administration. There are no answers to any of the list of issues below.
Issues brought time and time again before City Council.
Will there ever come a day when the general public gets their answer to the very simple questions of ‘Where is the estimated 14 to 18 million dollars flowing through suspect Chamber coffers? All of it and not just surface scanning of receipts and expenditures? Is there anyone at all in charge of these funds who is willing to show transparency and accountability to the people?’
Smalltown7 feel that in the future there will be. Thanks to this hard fought, but still way too small win.
We remain thanking City Council for the effort made so far.
We remain challenging you to do better.
What say you, all followers of this blog watch?
When you look through the decades worth of issues below this post; is this effort by council enough for you?
How are you feeling about the public disgrace surrounding Glenwood Springs right now?
• Currently, our President and CEO, Marianne Virgili remains under investigation, as does our Chamber. Currently, our Chamber of Commerce Board and our City Council are public disgraces for their continued apathy and blind eyes that ultimately authorize breaches of ethics directly traceable back to this organization. Breaches so extreme they are shocking. Breaches of ethics that are traceable back at least 13 years now.
• Currently, we have major political races in our county. County races that ironically have ties directly back to the Chamber. Alleged illegal acts performed within a county owned building that the Chamber sits in and our public funded by Tourism Visitor’s Center operate through. Not one commissioner doing anything about any of the allegations. We currently have one of the founders of the Tourism Board concept, Tom Jankovsky, trying desperately to distance himself from the Chamber as he runs for County Commissioner against incumbent Democrat Tresi Houpt. Should we elect a powerful commissioner’s seat to someone who not only has been blind for a decade but who also apparently has the type of ethics that condone and allow this mess to effect all of us in such adverse ways?
Smalltown7 does not believe so and announced this week our support of Ms. Houpt, the Democratic incumbent.
Should the public allow an obvious biased local media to continue to attempt to brainwash by using artful spin tactics and wordsmithed press releases handed to them by our marketing vendor?
Smalltown says absolutely not. Continuing local commentary and their work here. Pointing out the seemingly small discrepancies that later turn into things that can blind a public for years and cause all to have to wade through and sort out to get to the full truth.
• Currently, we have a growing population following this watch, that is so fed up and filled with both disgust and horror at the extreme abuses of power present in our town; that one of our members coined the phrase: “..a puss filled, malignant tentacle..” in describing for a local forum how deep these issues of years infiltrate.
We all are watching impending change from the empowerment of smaller voices gathered together. The sub community of this town that holds up higher standards for our officials, civil liberties free from encroachment, common sense with practical applications and a zero tolerance policy for the unjust, unfit and obviously lacking individuals and policies that presently shape portions of our community.
Yes, smalltown7 takes the win coming at all of us this Thursday night.
No.
It is not nearly enough.
Live feeds of City Council meetings can be found on meeting night on the City of Glenwood Springs website. http://alturl.com/s5ty
You do not have to be present in order to speak up.
Let go of feeling pushed or bullied to do so.
There is no mandatory requirement to be publically displayed in order to speak your mind.
With the track record of protection that our city officials have towards anyone speaking up; there are few in their right mind who would speak publically.
Send an email to any councilman. Watch for openings in local media to voice your opinion.
Keep talking.
If you are one of the quiet ones listening, listen to all and do so actively not passively. Brainwashed and spun for decades ends in present day. Remember threads, remember all the facts. Eventually, speak up and be heard.
Here is the summary of complaints against the sole source marketing vendor; the Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce:
All of these issues tie into the public accomodations tax because of the long standing sole source governship by the chamber. Since we have a Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors acting on bruised egos now instead of complete and total fiscal responsibility to all citizens in the 81601 zip code; the list below is sorted into two sections. The first being what the people can push hard and forward on with likely a good result now. Power is in your corner. The second part of the list will either be forced to scandal resolution or die a natural death with no accountability or restitution for citizens when the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association finishes it's current spiral downward.
It is worthy to note:
“The claims from all actual whistleblowers who have spoken up since the late 1990's to
current day are all the same. It’s important to note that none of these people collaborated
or even knew each other at the time they came forward with their claims."
Part one of summary. Directly related to public funds:
• There are false line items within the 1/4 allotment for expenses contracted to the Chamber ea. year in the marketing contract. Items such as $20,000 to $25,000 for building rent when the building is rent free from Garfield County. Travel related expenses that don’t exist. Equipment that either was not purchased for Chamber use or was logged as a new purchase when old equipmentwas actually still in use. The claim of the expenses never being forensic scrutinized has held up over the years. No audit or transparency has been made public. As recently as February 2010, close to one year after the last complaintant came forward City Council notes (minutes of 2/6/10) the heated debates over this issue.
• Credit card use as allegedly fraudulent. Trips for travel with employees that showed a few
dozen credit cards being shuffled to pay for lavish hotels, meals, travel and gifts. Much of the use being done under the disguise of being tourism related work trips. Until the last whistleblow, it was not known how many cards were out there. It was only known that all the incentives,
rewards, air miles earned from card use were never used by anyone other than
the Chamber President and CEO. That the cards high balances, averaging around $8,000 per month, were always paid off in full every month. It was also brought forward that often new cards were brought in and balances shuffled instead of paid off.
• Vehicle expense logs as false. 5000 miles per month and upwards logged as actual
miles driven and then billed out as expense. Far less reported in actual drive miles
based on the schedule of how often driver was out of building. Again, supposedly tourism related. Issue becomes a question of double dipping, possibly triple dipping. Tourism related expenses are supposedly a part of expense reimbursement in the Tourism Marketing Contract.
• False mailing lists created based on direct and reported as power abusive
instructions to employees to create them no matter how or where names and
addresses were obtained. The items passed through billing meters and the City was
charged. Old complaint, but still valid because it was never resolved except to slap wrists at the chamber.
• Hand picked within the Chamber the oversight board in the Chamber Board of Directors.
At the inception of the Tourism Board, they too were hand picked and selected as
sitting members. Council Minutes of 06/03/10 reveal that has now been changed
and ordinance is being drawn up (first reading July 1, 2010 council meeting) to eliminate all but the City of Glenwood Springs control over the Tourism Fund. The Chamber Board of Directors to remain as the governing power of the non-profit Chamber Resort Association. ***Headed to resolution.
• Misuse, for intentional purpose to harm political campaigns and whistleblowers, the use of Chamber of Commerce infrastructure in the powerful database and search optimizing ability of the computers purchased through the Tourism Fund Marketing contract.
• Complaints of no RFP issuance, ever, on this large of a public contract. ***Should resolve in the future with the new Tourism Board structure in place.
• Complaints of a non profit organization acting instead as a for profit marketing
company. The reasoning behind the for profit appearance was because the
argument from the chamber, every year, to others having a chance at the award was
that the chamber “owned” all that it had created within the Tourism Marketing
Contract. Website, reservations control, etc. etc. At the high dollar monies being
discussed, it would show a very high profit margin for this 501c6 non-profit organization.
Part two of summary:
• Complaints from the membership/small business sector that the Chamber of
Commerce was supposed to serve took/takes a backseat to their work as a
marketing company for the tourist industry. Numerous and costly to the public
entities over the years have had to be created to compensate. Downtown
Development, Downtown Partners, etc.
• Legitimacy in awards to the Chamber and head personnel. Complaints that most of
the awards and accolades to it’s sitting President and CEO were self applied for
rather than earned.
• Complaint of misuse of employee rights in hiring and firing. The change the
Chamber implemented after the 2005 situation was to start hiring 1099 contractors
instead. The current complaint is that these contractors actually are housed for
their work duties within Chamber walls.
• Complaint of being harassed via internet and email to her new employer in another
state, by one of the 2005 era of complaintants.
• President and CEO, Marianne Virgili named as a primary suspect in felony complaints filed to authorities by a private citizen that span in date range from December 2008 through to current day.”
On July 1st, 2010, our City Council meeting begins the process of covering proposed changes to the relationship between the public Accommodations Tax, the current Tourism Board and the tourism marketing contractor in our Chamber of Commerce. http://alturl.com/wv7y
Smalltown7 has reviewed the current council packet and the proposed changes to the existing Ordinance.
We state again that we will take the win.
We state again that it is not enough.
Especially now that the wording of proposed change is reviewed.
This proposal is a watered down, designed to make politicians happy piece of milk toast.
Change will come for sure and it is good change. It’s also change that has no accountability except for 'future' board, council and city administration. There are no answers to any of the list of issues below.
Issues brought time and time again before City Council.
Will there ever come a day when the general public gets their answer to the very simple questions of ‘Where is the estimated 14 to 18 million dollars flowing through suspect Chamber coffers? All of it and not just surface scanning of receipts and expenditures? Is there anyone at all in charge of these funds who is willing to show transparency and accountability to the people?’
Smalltown7 feel that in the future there will be. Thanks to this hard fought, but still way too small win.
We remain thanking City Council for the effort made so far.
We remain challenging you to do better.
What say you, all followers of this blog watch?
When you look through the decades worth of issues below this post; is this effort by council enough for you?
How are you feeling about the public disgrace surrounding Glenwood Springs right now?
• Currently, our President and CEO, Marianne Virgili remains under investigation, as does our Chamber. Currently, our Chamber of Commerce Board and our City Council are public disgraces for their continued apathy and blind eyes that ultimately authorize breaches of ethics directly traceable back to this organization. Breaches so extreme they are shocking. Breaches of ethics that are traceable back at least 13 years now.
• Currently, we have major political races in our county. County races that ironically have ties directly back to the Chamber. Alleged illegal acts performed within a county owned building that the Chamber sits in and our public funded by Tourism Visitor’s Center operate through. Not one commissioner doing anything about any of the allegations. We currently have one of the founders of the Tourism Board concept, Tom Jankovsky, trying desperately to distance himself from the Chamber as he runs for County Commissioner against incumbent Democrat Tresi Houpt. Should we elect a powerful commissioner’s seat to someone who not only has been blind for a decade but who also apparently has the type of ethics that condone and allow this mess to effect all of us in such adverse ways?
Smalltown7 does not believe so and announced this week our support of Ms. Houpt, the Democratic incumbent.
Should the public allow an obvious biased local media to continue to attempt to brainwash by using artful spin tactics and wordsmithed press releases handed to them by our marketing vendor?
Smalltown says absolutely not. Continuing local commentary and their work here. Pointing out the seemingly small discrepancies that later turn into things that can blind a public for years and cause all to have to wade through and sort out to get to the full truth.
• Currently, we have a growing population following this watch, that is so fed up and filled with both disgust and horror at the extreme abuses of power present in our town; that one of our members coined the phrase: “..a puss filled, malignant tentacle..” in describing for a local forum how deep these issues of years infiltrate.
We all are watching impending change from the empowerment of smaller voices gathered together. The sub community of this town that holds up higher standards for our officials, civil liberties free from encroachment, common sense with practical applications and a zero tolerance policy for the unjust, unfit and obviously lacking individuals and policies that presently shape portions of our community.
Yes, smalltown7 takes the win coming at all of us this Thursday night.
No.
It is not nearly enough.
Live feeds of City Council meetings can be found on meeting night on the City of Glenwood Springs website. http://alturl.com/s5ty
You do not have to be present in order to speak up.
Let go of feeling pushed or bullied to do so.
There is no mandatory requirement to be publically displayed in order to speak your mind.
With the track record of protection that our city officials have towards anyone speaking up; there are few in their right mind who would speak publically.
Send an email to any councilman. Watch for openings in local media to voice your opinion.
Keep talking.
If you are one of the quiet ones listening, listen to all and do so actively not passively. Brainwashed and spun for decades ends in present day. Remember threads, remember all the facts. Eventually, speak up and be heard.
Here is the summary of complaints against the sole source marketing vendor; the Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce:
All of these issues tie into the public accomodations tax because of the long standing sole source governship by the chamber. Since we have a Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors acting on bruised egos now instead of complete and total fiscal responsibility to all citizens in the 81601 zip code; the list below is sorted into two sections. The first being what the people can push hard and forward on with likely a good result now. Power is in your corner. The second part of the list will either be forced to scandal resolution or die a natural death with no accountability or restitution for citizens when the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association finishes it's current spiral downward.
It is worthy to note:
“The claims from all actual whistleblowers who have spoken up since the late 1990's to
current day are all the same. It’s important to note that none of these people collaborated
or even knew each other at the time they came forward with their claims."
Part one of summary. Directly related to public funds:
• There are false line items within the 1/4 allotment for expenses contracted to the Chamber ea. year in the marketing contract. Items such as $20,000 to $25,000 for building rent when the building is rent free from Garfield County. Travel related expenses that don’t exist. Equipment that either was not purchased for Chamber use or was logged as a new purchase when old equipmentwas actually still in use. The claim of the expenses never being forensic scrutinized has held up over the years. No audit or transparency has been made public. As recently as February 2010, close to one year after the last complaintant came forward City Council notes (minutes of 2/6/10) the heated debates over this issue.
• Credit card use as allegedly fraudulent. Trips for travel with employees that showed a few
dozen credit cards being shuffled to pay for lavish hotels, meals, travel and gifts. Much of the use being done under the disguise of being tourism related work trips. Until the last whistleblow, it was not known how many cards were out there. It was only known that all the incentives,
rewards, air miles earned from card use were never used by anyone other than
the Chamber President and CEO. That the cards high balances, averaging around $8,000 per month, were always paid off in full every month. It was also brought forward that often new cards were brought in and balances shuffled instead of paid off.
• Vehicle expense logs as false. 5000 miles per month and upwards logged as actual
miles driven and then billed out as expense. Far less reported in actual drive miles
based on the schedule of how often driver was out of building. Again, supposedly tourism related. Issue becomes a question of double dipping, possibly triple dipping. Tourism related expenses are supposedly a part of expense reimbursement in the Tourism Marketing Contract.
• False mailing lists created based on direct and reported as power abusive
instructions to employees to create them no matter how or where names and
addresses were obtained. The items passed through billing meters and the City was
charged. Old complaint, but still valid because it was never resolved except to slap wrists at the chamber.
• Hand picked within the Chamber the oversight board in the Chamber Board of Directors.
At the inception of the Tourism Board, they too were hand picked and selected as
sitting members. Council Minutes of 06/03/10 reveal that has now been changed
and ordinance is being drawn up (first reading July 1, 2010 council meeting) to eliminate all but the City of Glenwood Springs control over the Tourism Fund. The Chamber Board of Directors to remain as the governing power of the non-profit Chamber Resort Association. ***Headed to resolution.
• Misuse, for intentional purpose to harm political campaigns and whistleblowers, the use of Chamber of Commerce infrastructure in the powerful database and search optimizing ability of the computers purchased through the Tourism Fund Marketing contract.
• Complaints of no RFP issuance, ever, on this large of a public contract. ***Should resolve in the future with the new Tourism Board structure in place.
• Complaints of a non profit organization acting instead as a for profit marketing
company. The reasoning behind the for profit appearance was because the
argument from the chamber, every year, to others having a chance at the award was
that the chamber “owned” all that it had created within the Tourism Marketing
Contract. Website, reservations control, etc. etc. At the high dollar monies being
discussed, it would show a very high profit margin for this 501c6 non-profit organization.
Part two of summary:
• Complaints from the membership/small business sector that the Chamber of
Commerce was supposed to serve took/takes a backseat to their work as a
marketing company for the tourist industry. Numerous and costly to the public
entities over the years have had to be created to compensate. Downtown
Development, Downtown Partners, etc.
• Legitimacy in awards to the Chamber and head personnel. Complaints that most of
the awards and accolades to it’s sitting President and CEO were self applied for
rather than earned.
• Complaint of misuse of employee rights in hiring and firing. The change the
Chamber implemented after the 2005 situation was to start hiring 1099 contractors
instead. The current complaint is that these contractors actually are housed for
their work duties within Chamber walls.
• Complaint of being harassed via internet and email to her new employer in another
state, by one of the 2005 era of complaintants.
• President and CEO, Marianne Virgili named as a primary suspect in felony complaints filed to authorities by a private citizen that span in date range from December 2008 through to current day.”
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Current Watch: Glenwood Springs City Council puts start of initiative forward to completely change oversight of Tourism Board and Chamber
ihttp://alturl.com/8bhx
Tremendous progress, albeit at the snail's pace our City Council is noted for, is in process as a result of the June 3rd, 2010 Glenwood Springs City Council meeting.
While the local newspaper is obviously being given limited information or is purposely not reporting all that is going on in the background regarding the Tourism Marketing Contract and oversight of the Chamber; smalltown7 is greatly encouraged by this progress.
We are also calling for fast movement in drafting the ordinance that changes oversight.
We are also calling for fast movement in putting together an RFP (Request for Proposals) for the 2011 awards. Kate Collins, former VP at the Chamber of Commerce resigned on May 5th, 2010. Kate's new firm, Write Brain Left, Inc. is one we are hoping makes a grab for the work. Also Kim Doose and her local company, Snap Storm Media. Both would be excellent candidates.
We remain calling for an immediate pull of the 2010 contract from the Chamber as mounting scandal is moving faster than our City Council. It is a question of protecting what little remaining legitimacy and dignity this community has where the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association is concerned.
As smalltown7 conferenced last night to make final plans on how to move off the Current Watch on the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association now that both goals have been met.
The goal of protecting public money is in process now after June 3rd.
The goal of law enforcement awareness of tremendous deception within the Chamber has been and remains being met.
So, what to do from here?
One of the ideas is to start a new section to this SafePlace blog. "Ongoing Status Watch". All updates can then be shortened and dropped right in there. Yes, we are now moving on to finish up what we have on the Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce. Watch here for that Current Watch to move forward.
Thank you, City Council. Now, get moving to clear us and put as much distance between the citizens and the Chamber as possible as the 9th Judicial District and City of Glenwood Springs begins to clean up the "multiple layers of deception" associated.
Congratulations again, Glenwood Springs. This is a very, very big win for our community.
Tremendous progress, albeit at the snail's pace our City Council is noted for, is in process as a result of the June 3rd, 2010 Glenwood Springs City Council meeting.
While the local newspaper is obviously being given limited information or is purposely not reporting all that is going on in the background regarding the Tourism Marketing Contract and oversight of the Chamber; smalltown7 is greatly encouraged by this progress.
We are also calling for fast movement in drafting the ordinance that changes oversight.
We are also calling for fast movement in putting together an RFP (Request for Proposals) for the 2011 awards. Kate Collins, former VP at the Chamber of Commerce resigned on May 5th, 2010. Kate's new firm, Write Brain Left, Inc. is one we are hoping makes a grab for the work. Also Kim Doose and her local company, Snap Storm Media. Both would be excellent candidates.
We remain calling for an immediate pull of the 2010 contract from the Chamber as mounting scandal is moving faster than our City Council. It is a question of protecting what little remaining legitimacy and dignity this community has where the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association is concerned.
As smalltown7 conferenced last night to make final plans on how to move off the Current Watch on the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association now that both goals have been met.
The goal of protecting public money is in process now after June 3rd.
The goal of law enforcement awareness of tremendous deception within the Chamber has been and remains being met.
So, what to do from here?
One of the ideas is to start a new section to this SafePlace blog. "Ongoing Status Watch". All updates can then be shortened and dropped right in there. Yes, we are now moving on to finish up what we have on the Eagle Valley Chamber of Commerce. Watch here for that Current Watch to move forward.
Thank you, City Council. Now, get moving to clear us and put as much distance between the citizens and the Chamber as possible as the 9th Judicial District and City of Glenwood Springs begins to clean up the "multiple layers of deception" associated.
Congratulations again, Glenwood Springs. This is a very, very big win for our community.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Current Watch: Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce: City Council Meeting Set to Decide Fate of Tourism Board
Today's post to SafePlace is authored by (2) former employees of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.
This post is dedicated to the group now widely known as smalltown8.
"Over 12 years ago now, we were the first employees of the Chamber to start the rise upward to expose a corruption that at the time was just becoming obvious.
A little over 12 years later. Coming along behind (3) additional episodes of more whistleblowers coming forward; the many who have had the courage to stand up have finally accomplished the goal of public exposure to protect the tourism tax revenues of our community.
The efforts span 12 years of rising public view.
They span at least 8 to 10 years of public concern in quieter ways prior to public view.
In summary, close to 20 years of concern over the lack of true and fiscally responsible oversight of one of the largest revenue bases in our community. A fund that has generated an estimated 18 to 20 million dollars of revenues into our city coffers.
On the 3rd of June, 2010, City Council sits down, with the eyes of a community and now unfortunately a minimum of additional 48,000 eyes and numerous world news feeds, to determine the fate of the tourism fund.
http://alturl.com/s4qa
For the first time in the history of the Tourism Fund, there is no ability to make decisions on these funds without answering to the public while doing so.
Council, on the surface has supplied rhetoric that they will final determine what type of accounting oversight there will be on these funds.
Council, on the surface has supplied rhetoric that there are many issues and concerns over the relationship with the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association and Tourism Board. Those issues to be thoroughly analyzed and the fate of the relationship and it's oversight is to be determined.
Council, on the surface has supplied rhetoric that the long standing non compliance City Council has indulged itself in by not putting the Tourism Marketing Contract out for RFP (Request for Proposals) each year is to be thoroughly analyzed and ear marked with a mind for acceptance to non compliance of standards (or) placed into compliance with all other contracts of this magnitude.
What Council has not yet done is provide a commitment to the public on transparency of all funds issued to the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association to date.
This upcoming commitment from our City Council is a major win for the community of Glenwood Springs.
Finally seperated from a single organization, the marketing portion of the Tourism Tax revenues now stands a chance to be tightly held and all of it's strength focused on the good of a community.
It is by no means all that needs to be done.
It is our hope, as (2) of the small voices who have managed to bring this win, that the rest of what needs to be done will see fruition as well.
Long standing change is at now at hand at the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association. Still yet another high employee, in Kate Collins VP of Tourism Marketing at the Chamber, resigned on May 5th, 2010. Marking another of so many of us who have fallen by the wayside. Kate's path did not follow whistleblowing. For that, we are glad for her. This is not a road to be wished on anyone.
A recent public cry rose up for the City Council meeting of June 3, 2010 to also hold discussion of securing the current contract now with the Chamber Resort Association.
There is no doubt in our community that scandal rocks, with more to come that pulls the Chamber of Commerce into public view.
For us, the avatars known as formerchamberlady and Former Chamber Employee, we join that cry to protect what may be remaining within the contract for 2010. Gone are the excuses always cried out from the Chamber that there would be no one to run it.
There is now.
The creator of our Tourism Marketing, known as the Marketing Guru, Kate Collins and her new firm Write Brain Left, Inc. should now be available to safehold the Tourism contract for 2010. It's a great fit as City Council makes plans to change.
You'll notice a change to the look of SafePlace today.
There are a couple of reasons for that.
The first, is that the clean up of a vile, malignant infection that has followed so many who go up against the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, is in process. A clean up that began with us, (2) employees over 12 years ago. That clean up remains supported fully by smalltown7 at a SafePlace.
The second is that we have decided as a group, to take the major win of public eyes forever now on the Tourism Tax revenues and their handling. And to let the Glenwood Springs Chamber move on. We feel strongly that we have managed to protect an asset of Glenwood Springs and the public can now join in our watch dog on City Council and City Management's stewardship of that asset until the time comes it is proven to be in good hands.
Here are the visual changes to the blog that you now see:
First, we are leaving only a few selected posts, specific to relevant events within clean-up of lives damaged.
One is the post of Marilyn LaMont, aka bigtown1, in her "Free Speech and the Unalienable Right to Protection by Authorities" post. Marilyn is one of two owners of a local business that has now seen the 'best' of our community. We remain welcoming Marilyn and Keith to the business community of Glenwood Springs and are also very glad to hear of the recent upsurge in day to day sales as the community we love and know reaches out to them, hoping that they stay with us.
The second post archive available to you is the post speaking to you of the real County of Garfield and City of Glenwood Springs and the love we all have of our community.
Good wishes to the Glenwood Springs City Council as they sit down on June 3rd, 2010."
This post is dedicated to the group now widely known as smalltown8.
"Over 12 years ago now, we were the first employees of the Chamber to start the rise upward to expose a corruption that at the time was just becoming obvious.
A little over 12 years later. Coming along behind (3) additional episodes of more whistleblowers coming forward; the many who have had the courage to stand up have finally accomplished the goal of public exposure to protect the tourism tax revenues of our community.
The efforts span 12 years of rising public view.
They span at least 8 to 10 years of public concern in quieter ways prior to public view.
In summary, close to 20 years of concern over the lack of true and fiscally responsible oversight of one of the largest revenue bases in our community. A fund that has generated an estimated 18 to 20 million dollars of revenues into our city coffers.
On the 3rd of June, 2010, City Council sits down, with the eyes of a community and now unfortunately a minimum of additional 48,000 eyes and numerous world news feeds, to determine the fate of the tourism fund.
http://alturl.com/s4qa
For the first time in the history of the Tourism Fund, there is no ability to make decisions on these funds without answering to the public while doing so.
Council, on the surface has supplied rhetoric that they will final determine what type of accounting oversight there will be on these funds.
Council, on the surface has supplied rhetoric that there are many issues and concerns over the relationship with the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association and Tourism Board. Those issues to be thoroughly analyzed and the fate of the relationship and it's oversight is to be determined.
Council, on the surface has supplied rhetoric that the long standing non compliance City Council has indulged itself in by not putting the Tourism Marketing Contract out for RFP (Request for Proposals) each year is to be thoroughly analyzed and ear marked with a mind for acceptance to non compliance of standards (or) placed into compliance with all other contracts of this magnitude.
What Council has not yet done is provide a commitment to the public on transparency of all funds issued to the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association to date.
This upcoming commitment from our City Council is a major win for the community of Glenwood Springs.
Finally seperated from a single organization, the marketing portion of the Tourism Tax revenues now stands a chance to be tightly held and all of it's strength focused on the good of a community.
It is by no means all that needs to be done.
It is our hope, as (2) of the small voices who have managed to bring this win, that the rest of what needs to be done will see fruition as well.
Long standing change is at now at hand at the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association. Still yet another high employee, in Kate Collins VP of Tourism Marketing at the Chamber, resigned on May 5th, 2010. Marking another of so many of us who have fallen by the wayside. Kate's path did not follow whistleblowing. For that, we are glad for her. This is not a road to be wished on anyone.
A recent public cry rose up for the City Council meeting of June 3, 2010 to also hold discussion of securing the current contract now with the Chamber Resort Association.
There is no doubt in our community that scandal rocks, with more to come that pulls the Chamber of Commerce into public view.
For us, the avatars known as formerchamberlady and Former Chamber Employee, we join that cry to protect what may be remaining within the contract for 2010. Gone are the excuses always cried out from the Chamber that there would be no one to run it.
There is now.
The creator of our Tourism Marketing, known as the Marketing Guru, Kate Collins and her new firm Write Brain Left, Inc. should now be available to safehold the Tourism contract for 2010. It's a great fit as City Council makes plans to change.
You'll notice a change to the look of SafePlace today.
There are a couple of reasons for that.
The first, is that the clean up of a vile, malignant infection that has followed so many who go up against the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, is in process. A clean up that began with us, (2) employees over 12 years ago. That clean up remains supported fully by smalltown7 at a SafePlace.
The second is that we have decided as a group, to take the major win of public eyes forever now on the Tourism Tax revenues and their handling. And to let the Glenwood Springs Chamber move on. We feel strongly that we have managed to protect an asset of Glenwood Springs and the public can now join in our watch dog on City Council and City Management's stewardship of that asset until the time comes it is proven to be in good hands.
Here are the visual changes to the blog that you now see:
First, we are leaving only a few selected posts, specific to relevant events within clean-up of lives damaged.
One is the post of Marilyn LaMont, aka bigtown1, in her "Free Speech and the Unalienable Right to Protection by Authorities" post. Marilyn is one of two owners of a local business that has now seen the 'best' of our community. We remain welcoming Marilyn and Keith to the business community of Glenwood Springs and are also very glad to hear of the recent upsurge in day to day sales as the community we love and know reaches out to them, hoping that they stay with us.
The second post archive available to you is the post speaking to you of the real County of Garfield and City of Glenwood Springs and the love we all have of our community.
Good wishes to the Glenwood Springs City Council as they sit down on June 3rd, 2010."
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