Recreation Destination Trains

To whom it may concern,

Would you be willing to authorize joint powers authorities between local, regional, state, and federal governments with private industry to develop high speed rail lines to ski resorts across the country? Most traffic to these areas is regional, and with the appropriate infrastructure in place, this would both reduce congestion and improve development along these corridors. High speed rail along these existing freeways would reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and create an efficient transportation option for both customers and employees. It would also encourage the development of walkable, sustainable communities around these transit stops and focus the growth surrounding this industry in areas with existing infrastructure. These new ski rail lines would support dense development and promote growth in the town centers of these resorts.

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Ski Resorts

To whom it may concern,

While snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain in northern California, I began to question the environmental practices of the ski resort industry. I had found out that Mammoth used to have night skiing, but terminated the practice when it was determined that the bright lights disrupted nocturnal owls. While this is a small victory that affected operations, this anecdote merely distracts us from the structural and logistical issues facing the nation’s ski resorts. Environmental degradation appears to be a necessary evil to provide recreation opportunities to the public and to generate the funds necessary to ensure continued operations and restoration projects on these federally owned lands. Since most of these resorts were developed out of pristine wilderness, virtually every intervention is an impact on the environment. They require roads for access, power for the lifts and facilities, and water and sewer for the subsequent development. Forests are clear cut to make paths for skiers, development occurs on hillsides and atop significant ridgelines, and undisturbed forests are converted into vast recreational areas. Resort towns that spring up at the base of the slopes are not sustainable and completely reliant on the outside world for goods and services. Additionally, many ski resorts have snow machines, consuming massive amounts of water. Virtually every mountain resort is only accessible by the automobile. A few resorts, like Winter Park in Colorado, do have trains, but for the most part long distance and regional transit systems in this country are inefficient, aging, or non-existent. Since nearly all ski resorts are located within National Forests, what types of conditions could you apply to these businesses to encourage alternative transportation and a more sustainable development pattern?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Gay Marriage

To whom it may concern,

Gay marriage is one of those issues that seems to lie under the surface of public consciousness, waiting for its day either in court, the next State ballot measure, or during elections. I can understand how some people find being gay and homosexual activity abhorrent. As a heterosexual, I truly do not understand it either. But that does not give me the right to prevent someone from their pursuit of happiness. This country was founded on the concept of individual liberty, and to limit someone’s freedom, especially when it involves a couples love and commitment, seems very un-American. While some States allow gay marriage, and others have outright banned the practice, the federal government must take action. As the issue expands across the country, it does take on national implications. If anything, traveling to one state from another to be married must relate to the federal government’s authority to regulate inter-state commerce. Additionally, it appears imminent that the federal government should object to any State writing discrimination into their Constitution. It is illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation, and marriage very much fits into the Constitution’s pursuit of happiness clause. Marriage is traditionally the union of a man and a woman for the purpose of reproduction. This very narrow definition should remain, but other definitions should be created. Only marriage, common law marriage, and civil unions with their corresponding rights and privileges exist in the United State. Perhaps we should look to Europe, where several countries have up to 15 legally defined levels of commitment. With all that said, I remain bewildered why anyone who is not gay even really cares about this issue. Does this administration favor federal legislation to support equal rights for gays, will you leave it to the States to decide one by one, and/or would you support the expansion of the number and types of commitment?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Lead Bullets

To whom it may concern,

There are many objectives that could and should be completed under the banner of the "green" movement. A litany of projects could be implemented in order for this nation to become more sustainable. While some projects are of a higher priority than others, there remains a vast array of projects that could be considered low hanging fruit. These projects could easily be changed with legislation, amendments, and even executive orders. One of these low hanging fruits, for example, is the lead content of ammunition. With the hundreds of thousands of rounds that go off in America every year, a significant amount of lead waste is left to pollute the water and land. These munitions could easily be replaced by more benign copper bullets. With the many “green” projects ongoing in your administration, have you thought about forming a blue ribbon commission to comprehensively review the myriad small-scale projects within both the federal government and the nation as a whole?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Justice in Darfur

To whom it may concern,

As the UN Tribunal on Darfur unfolds, the primary issue of concern is not the court’s ability to prove whether government sponsored attacks on its own population occurred, or to even prosecute and convict those that are found guilty. The primary concern is the issuance of justice. If Sudan or any other government that may one day provide these people with sanctuary will not release those convicted, then the tribunal’s core objectives are faulty. In this situation and others, the United Nations' best principal is perhaps the harbinger of its own demise; national autonomy. Sure several countries can collectively apply diplomatic or economic pressure to another, but the UN cannot force one nation to do anything it does not want to. Maybe Bashir and the others who are responsible for these crimes against humanity will one day be extradited to the Hague, but until these individuals are held accountable, a UN tribunal remains relatively ineffective. With this is mind, how will this administration seek to bring justice to the people of Sudan and in particular Darfur? Since your administration would be providing its input late in the game, so to speak, will you then focus more on reconciliation and providing humanitarian support?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Tax Havens, Loopholes and Delinquencies

To whom it may concern,

A proposed bill in the US Senate seeks to shut down international tax havens that have deprived the US treasury from nearly $100 billion a year. This new law and several other loopholes in existing tax law are currently being targeted in order to shore up dwindling funds in hard economic times. Other tax provisions are being changed or allowed to expire to bring in yet more revenue. With all of this accounting going on in Washington D.C., it makes you wonder why most of this was not done sooner. Surely someone will claim economic hardship during this process or its enforcement. While most of this is practical, some of it is based on the new direction of this administration (i.e. rethinking oil, gas, and timber leases on federal lands). However, we should be simultaneously streamlining future revenues and pursuing delinquent accounts. Many State governments are essentially shaming companies that do not pay their taxes by creating websites with their contact information. Others are threatening to revoke business licences if companies do not pay their bills with interest. Can and will the federal government take up similar measures to ensure that back taxes will be paid?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

The Independent Thought Party

To whom it may concern,

Following up on my previous posting, I would like to propose a third political party; the Independent Thought Party. The sole purpose and intent of this new third party is to provide the resources and platform for individuals to bring their message to the people. This new party will give a voice to anyone whose message is of relevance to the public and whose vigor is proportionatly propels that message forward. It will support local, state, and national candidates whose ideas transcend traditional party lines. In this way, it will be a party of leaders, without centralized control, and armed only with the popular support that its leaders engender. This flexibility of the party and the diversity of its candidates will create a nation of debate, diplomacy, and dynamism. Do you think a political party like this has a place in America?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP