The only thing missing now is a note from his doctor.
The only thing missing in the succession plan for the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office is a note from the doctor of Sheriff Bob Braudis saying the proverbial “peace officer” cannot finish out his 2010 term for health reasons.
Braudis was sworn in yesterday as Sheriff for a sixth term and as we reported accurately more than six weeks ago Undersheriff Lorrie White was pushed into retirement to make way for Braudis factotum Joe Disalvio to move up into White’s #2 seat. Braudis again promised to serve out his term through 2010. But then Braudis also said he was at a wellness center this summer and not in alcohol rehablitation, and he also said he had never taken drugs while serving as Sheriff of Pitkin County.
In a silver mining town, the word of the Sheriff is not exactly gold.
In the Aspen Daily News story on the shakeup, there was no quote from White whatsoever, a curious oversight. And entirely missing from any local coverage was the additional revelation that Deputy Sheriff Michael Ferrara, a key figure in all mountain investigations and rescue operations, left the force at the end of 2006. In a department that trumpets its stability, both the Undersheriff and a Deputy Sheriff are now gonzo.
Con,
What does it tell you that there is nary a comment to this blog?
Con,
What does it tell you that there is nary a comment to this blog?
Dog Day Afternoon:
I am enjoying the irony of you, of all canines, breaking the silence by saying there are no comments, thereby making a comment, and rendering you point inaccurate if not downright moot.
Bravo! That’s a trick shot if ever I’ve seen one.
Having said as much, I have this comment on your comment: I really don’t care whether anybody comments or not. That’s not the point of what I write. I write it because I feel it’s important, and the last thing I need after many decades of this endless cycle is the approval of anyone else.
One other point: This post, like the last one about Braudis, is a setup for the next and the next, should they become necessary. This story, with the new information about Ferrara, will stay in our database forever after, readily accessible to corndogs, horndoggers, and TeleDogs at will, thereby forming a chronology of the Sheriff’s long day’s journey into night.
So comment away. Or not.
Best, Con Man!
Dog Day Afternoon:
I am enjoying the irony of you, of all canines, breaking the silence by saying there are no comments, thereby making a comment, and rendering you point inaccurate if not downright moot.
Bravo! That’s a trick shot if ever I’ve seen one.
Having said as much, I have this comment on your comment: I really don’t care whether anybody comments or not. That’s not the point of what I write. I write it because I feel it’s important, and the last thing I need after many decades of this endless cycle is the approval of anyone else.
One other point: This post, like the last one about Braudis, is a setup for the next and the next, should they become necessary. This story, with the new information about Ferrara, will stay in our database forever after, readily accessible to corndogs, horndoggers, and TeleDogs at will, thereby forming a chronology of the Sheriff’s long day’s journey into night.
So comment away. Or not.
Best, Con Man!
This really is a great story. You’re so right – this is important stuff we NEED to know about. Personnel changes in a county department. Bravo, Michael. You really blew the lid off this one.
I’m dying to know – what did Braudis say when you called him for comment?
And what about Lorrie and Joe? I’m sure Lorrie has some searing comments about being “pushed” out. Heavens knows that after 30 years of work someone certainly wouldn’t CHOOSE to retire – the only way out must have been being kicked out. Everyone knows that.
And someone else LEFT the force? You mean there’s a government department in Pitkin County with vacancies??? Should we call the attorney general’s office??? That sounds like a cover-up! What did Ferrera say when you interviewed him about leaving? I bet it was juicy! Wait – he does know who you are, right? You made several attempts to contact him by phone and in person right?
Um, you DID call Braudis, DiSalvo, White and Ferraro, right? They DO know who you are, right? You have made attempts to introduce yourself and get both sides of the story, or even one side, right? You were at the swearing-in ceremony, right?
This really is a great story. You’re so right – this is important stuff we NEED to know about. Personnel changes in a county department. Bravo, Michael. You really blew the lid off this one.
I’m dying to know – what did Braudis say when you called him for comment?
And what about Lorrie and Joe? I’m sure Lorrie has some searing comments about being “pushed” out. Heavens knows that after 30 years of work someone certainly wouldn’t CHOOSE to retire – the only way out must have been being kicked out. Everyone knows that.
And someone else LEFT the force? You mean there’s a government department in Pitkin County with vacancies??? Should we call the attorney general’s office??? That sounds like a cover-up! What did Ferrera say when you interviewed him about leaving? I bet it was juicy! Wait – he does know who you are, right? You made several attempts to contact him by phone and in person right?
Um, you DID call Braudis, DiSalvo, White and Ferraro, right? They DO know who you are, right? You have made attempts to introduce yourself and get both sides of the story, or even one side, right? You were at the swearing-in ceremony, right?
John J:
I think you’re new. Welcome aboard. We really did have a pressing need for another professor of journalism like yourself. My guess is you are a journalist yourself or at least someone who keeps a close (self-appointed) watch on journalism.
Your analysis of talking to every person involved on the record is spot-on when it comes to journalism. But I regret to inform you that neither Aspen Post nor this particular post is journalism. Your comments are therefore displaced and would perhaps be better dispatched in the general direction of our local newspapers here in Aspen.
The bad news for you, JJ–given your welcome scrutiny of the journalism business–is that none of us here on Aspen Post suffers from the same obligation as your journalistic friends and/or heroes, but the good news is that there are many journalists in town who are absolutely required to dig like hell and talk to everyone on every story. That’s their job, not ours, and as you know the results are uneven.
Here’s the question for you, John J: how come a lowly blogger can beat both local papers on such an obvious story, one that everyone was talking about. Could it be that the newspapers have erected an iron curtain around the real story (stories) in the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office? The question for you, Professor, is what town are THEY living in–and why you don’t hit them like a sledgehammer for the way they’ve neglected this story going back to the Little Annie’s drug bust?
Taking a shot at a blogger for shedding light on a story that requires sunshine strikes me as too easy for someone with your talents.
So here’s my challenge to you. You obviously have a working knowledge of journalism. How you came by that is your business, but I would like to offer you the role of Aspen Post’s resident media critic–unedited and unfiltered as everyone is here. Why don’t you stop mucking about and hold the big boys and girls in town to task?
Consider that an open invitation.
Best, Michael Conniff!
John J:
I think you’re new. Welcome aboard. We really did have a pressing need for another professor of journalism like yourself. My guess is you are a journalist yourself or at least someone who keeps a close (self-appointed) watch on journalism.
Your analysis of talking to every person involved on the record is spot-on when it comes to journalism. But I regret to inform you that neither Aspen Post nor this particular post is journalism. Your comments are therefore displaced and would perhaps be better dispatched in the general direction of our local newspapers here in Aspen.
The bad news for you, JJ–given your welcome scrutiny of the journalism business–is that none of us here on Aspen Post suffers from the same obligation as your journalistic friends and/or heroes, but the good news is that there are many journalists in town who are absolutely required to dig like hell and talk to everyone on every story. That’s their job, not ours, and as you know the results are uneven.
Here’s the question for you, John J: how come a lowly blogger can beat both local papers on such an obvious story, one that everyone was talking about. Could it be that the newspapers have erected an iron curtain around the real story (stories) in the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office? The question for you, Professor, is what town are THEY living in–and why you don’t hit them like a sledgehammer for the way they’ve neglected this story going back to the Little Annie’s drug bust?
Taking a shot at a blogger for shedding light on a story that requires sunshine strikes me as too easy for someone with your talents.
So here’s my challenge to you. You obviously have a working knowledge of journalism. How you came by that is your business, but I would like to offer you the role of Aspen Post’s resident media critic–unedited and unfiltered as everyone is here. Why don’t you stop mucking about and hold the big boys and girls in town to task?
Consider that an open invitation.
Best, Michael Conniff!
Ouch! Did I hit a nerve? You seem rather defensive. The Con Man doth protest too loudly, methinks.
Regardless, I accept! What do bloggers on your site get paid? It must be a lot since you seem to talk an awful lot about how successful you are.
I guess years of newspaper reading have failed to show me the light – I don’t think someone resigning after 30 years on the job is such a bad thing. I hope to be able to retire after 30 years on the job. Could it be that you’re a little jealous? You’re probably around the age where you’d like to think about retiring, but the one banner ad on your site probably won’t support that, huh?
You’re not a journalist when you get called out for making up a story, but you’re a journalist when you’re not on this site (or at least a proud unemployed one)? You get called out for shoddy facts and you hold up your might blogger shield as a defense. That’s pretty weak. You can write about Braudis and present everything as fact but have absolutely nothing to back it up. Yup, pretty weak.
And your site is unedited and unfiltered? Well then poor Lost Sailor’s comments right after my first once must be lost in cyberspace, since you don’t do any editing, right? Or did he (or she) hit a nerve, too? Careful, let’s not hurt the Con Man’s feelings.
Ouch! Did I hit a nerve? You seem rather defensive. The Con Man doth protest too loudly, methinks.
Regardless, I accept! What do bloggers on your site get paid? It must be a lot since you seem to talk an awful lot about how successful you are.
I guess years of newspaper reading have failed to show me the light – I don’t think someone resigning after 30 years on the job is such a bad thing. I hope to be able to retire after 30 years on the job. Could it be that you’re a little jealous? You’re probably around the age where you’d like to think about retiring, but the one banner ad on your site probably won’t support that, huh?
You’re not a journalist when you get called out for making up a story, but you’re a journalist when you’re not on this site (or at least a proud unemployed one)? You get called out for shoddy facts and you hold up your might blogger shield as a defense. That’s pretty weak. You can write about Braudis and present everything as fact but have absolutely nothing to back it up. Yup, pretty weak.
And your site is unedited and unfiltered? Well then poor Lost Sailor’s comments right after my first once must be lost in cyberspace, since you don’t do any editing, right? Or did he (or she) hit a nerve, too? Careful, let’s not hurt the Con Man’s feelings.
yea mike – what up wit dat? my sails are down and my anchor’s in , round and round the compass spins – I’m drifting…….
yea mike – what up wit dat? my sails are down and my anchor’s in , round and round the compass spins – I’m drifting…….
Hmmm…Interesting stuff….so what is really going on?
Funny how it was known since April of last year that White was going to retire and Joe was tapped then. But not announced until after the elections. Why was that, if it is such a great thing to be honoring 30 years of service? Why the quiet out the back door approach by the Sheriff’s dept?
And what about Grady? How come he wasn’t considered for the job? He has been doing an excellent job as patrol supervisor? Guess he didn’t make the good ol boy cut or maybe he didn’t want the job.
See, the thing is, it’s not about who is filling what positions, it’s about the behind the curtains shell games with in the dept that should raise some eyebrows, guess we may live in OZ after all. And don’t look for any answers in the local papers or even them asking any questions…it’s business as usual for them. Another glass of Kool-Aid anyone?
Hmmm…Interesting stuff….so what is really going on?
Funny how it was known since April of last year that White was going to retire and Joe was tapped then. But not announced until after the elections. Why was that, if it is such a great thing to be honoring 30 years of service? Why the quiet out the back door approach by the Sheriff’s dept?
And what about Grady? How come he wasn’t considered for the job? He has been doing an excellent job as patrol supervisor? Guess he didn’t make the good ol boy cut or maybe he didn’t want the job.
See, the thing is, it’s not about who is filling what positions, it’s about the behind the curtains shell games with in the dept that should raise some eyebrows, guess we may live in OZ after all. And don’t look for any answers in the local papers or even them asking any questions…it’s business as usual for them. Another glass of Kool-Aid anyone?
JJ:
You accept? Excellent. Welcome aboard. You’ll be paid exactly what you are worth.
Cheers, Michael!
JJ:
You accept? Excellent. Welcome aboard. You’ll be paid exactly what you are worth.
Cheers, Michael!
What was it you were saying about Chuck on the radio this morning? That he never backs up any of his statements with facts? That it’s impossible to have a discussion (certainly an intelligent one) with someone who throws around accusations with absolutely no proof?
On second thought, I am going to respectfully decline your offer to “blog” for your site and you’ll find me commenting here no more. I’m positive I can find other sites to read and other programs to listen to – one where the host and editor (by the way – if your site is “unedited,” then isn’t the editor position unnecessary?) does more than blow a bunch of hot air.
Cheer, John!
What was it you were saying about Chuck on the radio this morning? That he never backs up any of his statements with facts? That it’s impossible to have a discussion (certainly an intelligent one) with someone who throws around accusations with absolutely no proof?
On second thought, I am going to respectfully decline your offer to “blog” for your site and you’ll find me commenting here no more. I’m positive I can find other sites to read and other programs to listen to – one where the host and editor (by the way – if your site is “unedited,” then isn’t the editor position unnecessary?) does more than blow a bunch of hot air.
Cheer, John!
JJ:
Sorry to lose you but I can understand why you would want no part of this dialogue. Of course, you’re always welcome to call my show.
What I would say to you is this: like you, those who disagree with my position on the Sheriff have come after me for months with personal attacks, both online and in real life. These attacks have the advantage of taking the focus away from their hero’s actions and inactions. Few of these attacks address the substance of my concern–that the Sheriff operates above the law.
Is there anything that I’ve written about Pitkin County that hasn’t held up? Was the Sheriff not in alcohol rehab? Did he not disappear and then put out the false word that he was in a “wellness clinic”? Did the Aspen Daily News not proudly admit to “pro-Braudis” coverage? Why did people laugh out loud on Squirm Night when Braudis said point-blank that he had never taken drugs while Sheriff of Pitkin County? Or when he said drugs were a “core” problem for the APD even after the big bust in his jurisdiction at the Conoco at the ABC? Did he not dispute damaging statistics that his own office provided?
Maybe you know something I don’t know but now we’ll never know. Your loss but ours, too.
Best, Michael!
PS I challenged you to hold the newspapers to a higher standard and you flinched. Why wouldn’t a person of your knowledge and regard for the truth want to hold their feet to the fire as a matter of course? Perhaps you could even force them to justly compensate those who write letters to the editor.
JJ:
Sorry to lose you but I can understand why you would want no part of this dialogue. Of course, you’re always welcome to call my show.
What I would say to you is this: like you, those who disagree with my position on the Sheriff have come after me for months with personal attacks, both online and in real life. These attacks have the advantage of taking the focus away from their hero’s actions and inactions. Few of these attacks address the substance of my concern–that the Sheriff operates above the law.
Is there anything that I’ve written about Pitkin County that hasn’t held up? Was the Sheriff not in alcohol rehab? Did he not disappear and then put out the false word that he was in a “wellness clinic”? Did the Aspen Daily News not proudly admit to “pro-Braudis” coverage? Why did people laugh out loud on Squirm Night when Braudis said point-blank that he had never taken drugs while Sheriff of Pitkin County? Or when he said drugs were a “core” problem for the APD even after the big bust in his jurisdiction at the Conoco at the ABC? Did he not dispute damaging statistics that his own office provided?
Maybe you know something I don’t know but now we’ll never know. Your loss but ours, too.
Best, Michael!
PS I challenged you to hold the newspapers to a higher standard and you flinched. Why wouldn’t a person of your knowledge and regard for the truth want to hold their feet to the fire as a matter of course? Perhaps you could even force them to justly compensate those who write letters to the editor.
Jeez MC, I was not picking on you, just wondering what you thought of the fact that no one else has really picked up this story line of yours.
A little touchy there, wouldn’t you say?
Jeez MC, I was not picking on you, just wondering what you thought of the fact that no one else has really picked up this story line of yours.
A little touchy there, wouldn’t you say?
A little.
Best, Michael!
A little.
Best, Michael!
Nice baiting technique – you are the master!
need some more rope ther pardner?!
Nice baiting technique – you are the master!
need some more rope ther pardner?!