Mallett opposed fly fishing tournament, tourism

Citizen Team — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:35:13 +0000

As Executive Director of The America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament and small business owner on the fringes of Chaffee County, I think that something needs to be said. My staff and I contacted County Commissioner Jerry Mallett to help organize a World Class fly fishing event in Chaffee County (see the Mountain Mail dated 11-13-07 “Irish look at county for fly fishing tournament”). In the article Mallett said, “This is what we are looking for. We are a world class destination for hiking, biking, kayaking and rafting (and now) fishing. It’s the chance of a lifetime to put more focus on the river.” However, Mr. Mallett and Paul Goetz chose to add that the county would have to foot the bill for the teams. We never asked for any money from the county and the event was privately funded prior to talks with the county.

After months of planning and preparation for the event with Mr. Mallett we were called into Mr. Mallett’s office and told that we lacked validity and that the county didn’t need tourism and there was nothing else he could do for us. As I have been in the fly fishing industry for 20+ years this came as a shock to me and my staff.

So having international teams committed to come to the event we had to scramble to find another venue. The event was held on September 8th-12th in Frisco Colorado with seven international teams, the U.S. National Youth Fly Fishing Team, two U.S. National Fly Fishing Teams, Colorado Women’s Team and a Colorado Youth Team ages 10-15. It was our goal and remains our goal to promote the state of Colorado, international tourism, youth and women in our sport. We received television news coverage from 9news, Channel 7 and Fox Sports Network in Denver. Print news coverage from the Denver Post, Summit Daily and Vail Daily. Articles were also printed by other various international organizations as well as on the internet.

In closing this event would have had a great impact for Chaffee County tourism and the surrounding area for many years to come.

David Pehle
Executive Director, The America Cup

Chaffee County Commissioner introductions

Citizen Team — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:23:44 +0000

In District One, incumbent Jim Osborne has decided not to seek re-election. Seeking his seat are Republican Dennis Giese and Democrat Susan Bristol. In District Two, incumbent Democrat Jerry Mallett is seeking re-election. Mallett’s challenger is Republican Frank Holman. Commissioner District 3 incumbent Tim Glenn’s seat is not up for election until 2010.

Susan Bristol (D) – District 1

Year/place of birth:: 1945 – Corpus Christi, Texas
Occupation:: Coordinator, Build A Generation
Education:: B.A. in Psychology (University of Iowa)
Military service:: None or 18 years depending how you look at it ( I grew up in the Navy)
Spouse:: Harold Bristol
Children:: Three sons (ages 42, 32, 27)
Residency:: Resident of Buena Vista since 1970

Dennis Giese (R) – District 1

Year/place of birth:: 1948 – Sugar City, CO (Lower Arkansas Valley)
Occupation:: Retired (2005) as Superintendent from the Buena Vista School District R-31 after 34 years in Education; Currently Mountain Board of Cooperative Educational Services – Building Administrator, Arrowhead Program-Buena Vista; Owner/Operator – Dennis Giese Excavation, Inc.
Education: Masters Degree – Education/Secondary Administration – Western State College, Gunnison, CO; Superintendent Endorsement – University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Military service:: Six years in Colorado National Guard
Marital Status:: Separated
Children:: Two children (ages 34 and 30) and two step-children (ages 19 and 16)
Residency:: Resident of Buena Vista since 1978

Frank Holman (R) – District 2

Year/place of birth:: 1951 – Salida (Rio Grande Hospital)
Occupation:: Rancher
Education:: High School plus one year trade school
Military Service:: No
Spouse:: Sherry
Children:: Six children (Rachel, Chris, Jennifer, Netha, Melissa, Wes) and ten grandchildren
Residency:: “I’m the fifth generation of my family to live in Chaffee County”

Jerry Mallett (D) – District 2

Mike Rosso photo.