'Want to' has become a
'must have'
Vail Town Council candidate questionnaire
- Scott Pittman
Daily Staff Report
October 27, 2005
1. Why are you running for Vail Town Council?
I am running for council in order to serve the citizens and community
of Vail, and to bring their voice and opinion to council.
2. What are the biggest issues facing Vail right now?
• Redevelopment and change.
• Focus and vision.
• Infrastructure (i.e. fire department, sewer, roads and rights of
way, rezoning, etc.)
3. What are Vail's greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Vail's greatest strength is in its people, and why they live here.
Vail's greatest "weakness" would be skiing, and I hope that never
changes. There are no weaknesses, only opportunities to change.
4. What is your position on the proposed conference center? Why?
I am fully in favor of the convention center. Convention season would
bring lots of dollars to Summer Vail, and to the town of Vail, and to
its constituents. It will open up a world of opportunity to expand our
summer base, expand winter parking, and provide a venue that can hold
1,000 or so inside. The town has already approved hundreds of new
hotel beds, and we will need to fill those beds. What was once a "want
to" is now a "must have."
5. The planning commission unanimously endorsed a plan for
redevelopment of the Crossroads complex in Vail Village earlier this
year. Do you support that plan, and, if not, what specific changes
would have to be made to this plan to make it acceptable?
I do support the Crossroads redevelopment. I do support the planning
commission endorsement, as long as:
• The plaza be ample and accessible enough for the summer activities
it currently hosts (Teva climbing rock, children's pony ride, et.
al.);
• The plaza faces the International Bridge;
• The plaza is at street level (Meadow Drive).
6. Redevelopment is under way in Vail Village and Lionshead, and major
redevelopment is planned in West Vail and West Lionshead. How would
you seek to influence this development?
I live in Vail Commons, which is in West Vail. I frequent those
businesses. I would seek the concerns of those businesses, and their
approvals. I would seek the concerns of home-owners, and their
approvals, as they are my neighbors, friends, and co-workers in Vail.
My influence would reflect their concerns and approvals. Their
collective consciousness is far greater than mine.
7. This year's community survey shows residents said parking is the
top issue facing the town. How would you deal with this issue?
Parking has been, is and possibly will be the single biggest issue the
town has to resolve. How can we put 10 pounds in a 5-pound bag? Do we
reduce the amount or build a bigger bag? I suggest we have to do both.
As a stop-gap, would people be willing to park and ride? We can park
250 cars in a convention center garage ... somewhere in the future?
8. Does Vail need to be more welcoming to middle-class families? If
yes, how?
Vail should welcome all, and not exclude any single portion of its
visitors. After all, it is the visitors that allow us to live, work
and play here. By being better hosts, we can be better. Demographics
might suggest that we cater to more middle-class families than 10
years ago. By creating more family-oriented fun, we can look forward
to the same results 10 years from now.
9. Ask and answer your own question that will help voters decide how
to vote.
If you had to choose between one hotel or 20 luxury homes to be built,
which one would you choose, and why?
The luxury home does not buy T-shirts. The luxury home only has four
pairs of skis that rarely need waxing. The luxury home prefers an
intimate dinner at home versus an intimate dinner out. The luxury home
can sleep 10, when they're in town. I would certainly choose the
hotel. Here's why: A family can't afford a luxury home in Vail, but
they can afford three nights in a hotel and all the services and
recreation that Vail has to offer. The idea is that if ya' got a good
thing, share it, and in sharing, you get to keep it!
Vail, Colorado
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