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REGULAR MEETING ASPEN CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 14, 2021
At 5:00 p.m. Mayor Torre called the regular meeting to order with Councilors Doyle, Hauenstein,
Richards, and Mesirow in attendance.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Truth Paradise aka Donald Fice – Mr. Paradise said he has been a citizen of Aspen for 35 years. Thank
you for taking on the incredible task of running this town especially with COVID etc. He feels the mask
mandates are a violation of the constitution of the United States of America. This is a violation of our
rights, and it very clearly states in our declaration, we have certain inalienable rights. The county
commissioners have presumed to take away our right to wear a mask. He loves the commissioners and
says they are good people, but they have a misunderstanding of the law. He would like for council to
have a quorum and come to a decision and speak out. If you agree with me, speak out. Please weigh in
because it’s the most important subject of our time. I beseech you to take this seriously and please
speak your mind. I want to hear from you. Mayor Torre asked him if he would still be wearing a mask
right now if the mandate was not in place and Mr. Paradise said no.
Ellen Kessler – Ms. Kessler said she is here to speak about puppy mills. Spoke about a golden retriever
named Goldie. She was found in a box and was dying of starvation. She said this doesn’t just happen in
faraway places, but these puppies end up here in our stores in Colorado. The state of Colorado has
struggled for three years to pass something to say that this can’t happen in our stores. Please pass an
ordinance here in Aspen. You can be the change. Do it for Goldie and the millions of others like her.
Rudi Taylor – Ms. Taylor said she is the founder of a foundation based in Berthoud. The primary mission
is to end puppy mills through awareness. Please pass an ordinance in Aspen. This isn’t an anti-business
ordinance, it’s anti-cruelty.
Councilor Mesirow said putting together an ordinance would take staff time and we have no puppy mills
or pet stores here. It feels a bit disingenuous to pass something in a place where this issue isn’t going to
happen.
Joyce Cohen – Ms. Cohen said she would like to stress that even if Aspen never has a pet store, we need
to push this to pass on a statewide level. Aspen is very influential. If the states sees cities like Aspen
passing this ordinance, we are likely to have more backing. It would take minutes to put together and is
budget neutral.
Mike Maple – Mr. Maple lives at 1250 Mountain View Drive and said he would like for council to ask for
people’s addresses who are making public comment.
Amy Gab – Ms. Gab said she is confused about who is putting together the mask ordinance. As part of
the hockey league, we’ve had two games instead of six. She’s been told that the Aspen city council is the
one who suspended the games. Playing in a mask is nearly impossible, and it feels like we are being
punished. She’s all for no mask.
Bill Guth – Mr. Guth said he lives on Bleeker Street and would like to speak on Ordinance #24 which is
being presented tonight.
Mayor Torre said it’s a public hearing and he should rejoin for that conversation later.
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