Time Machine: 50 years ago, president declares a state of emergency in New Jersey from Vail
Vail Trail/Vail Daily archive
20 years ago
Dec. 17, 2004
A cause of death had been determined for snowboarder Michael Combs, who was found dead on Vail Mountain earlier in the week.
Combs, 42, who was the boyfriend of Clint Eastwood’s daughter, was found in the trees along Riva Ridge in a gully that was hidden from view.
Combs had been reported missing a day earlier after he did not meet Alison Eastwood at a Vail restaurant.
Coroner Kara Bettis said Combs died of a seizure disorder, the Vail Daily reported.
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30 years ago
Dec. 23, 1994
Locals were leaving Vail, the Vail Trail reported.
“According to 1990 Eagle County census figures the number of second-home or visitor-oriented housing units has increased by 1,600 since 1980 to 5,138 units,” the Trail reported. “Eighty percent of that housing stock is located in Vail.”
The Trail, quoting locals said the balance between the number of permanent and visitor housing units is “out of whack with what long-time locals remember it to be or believe is desirable.”
The Trail quoted Orv Petersen, a database developer who has lived at Vail International since 1974, as saying when he moved in, the 54 condos in the development were divided between one-third locals, one-third Denverites, and one-third from beyond.
“I am the last remaining local living there,” Petersen said.
Census data showed that 75 percent of Vail’s 5,168 dwellings currently are seasonal or part-time residences.
40 years ago
Dec. 21, 1984
A committee that was formed to study affordable housing in Eagle County met with officials to discuss affordable housing alternatives, the Vail Trail reported.
“There was a consensus of committee members that the nature of the affordable housing problem has changed drastically in recent years,” the Trail reported. “The transient workers who needed a place to stay so badly that they were willing to pay whatever they had is now a thing of past, according to many committee members.”
However, another affordable housing problem was afoot for “middle management level persons, or those striving to stay here and looking for better jobs,” the Trail reported.
“Those are the people, the committee found, that affordable housing solutions need to address.”
50 years ago
Dec. 27, 1974
From Vail, President Gerald R. Ford declared a state of emergency for New Jersey, accepted the resignation of the executive director of the 撸先生 on International Economic Policy, prepared his State of the Union speech, and told Americans he might consider making public a report on allegations of domestic spying by the CIA.
New Jersey was experiencing severe storms, high winds, and abnormally high tides, and Ford’s action permitted the use of federal funds in relief efforts in designated areas of the state.
William Eberle, executive director of the 撸先生 on International Economic Policy and special representative tor trade negotiations, resigned amid reports that he was dissatisfied with the new staff setup at the White House.
Before arriving in Vail, Ford had asked CIA Director William Colby to write a report on domestic spying by the CIA after published reports during the Nixon administration said the CIA maintained files on 10,000 American citizens. While in Vail, Ford received a call from Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who said he had received the report. When asked if he would disclose its contents, Ford said he would not rule it out.
Ford also asked his top economic advisors to come to Vail for a meeting to review the current economic situation as part of his preparation for his upcoming State of the Union address.
Amid all that, however, “he has made time to ski nearly every day,” the Vail Trail reported. The press was invited to take photographs of him skiing down the Simba run with his daughter, Susan.
60 years ago
Dec. 24, 1964
Several big-name skiers were in Vail training for the American International race, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
The Alpine Training Camp included 104 racing trainees and eleven coaches and was set to last through Jan. 1.
“Trainees are working toward the biggest race of the year 鈥� The American International to be held at Vail in March,” the Enterprise reported.
Big-name ski racers in Vail included Jean Saubert, Tammy Dix, Jimmie Heuga, Billy Kidd and coaches Bob Beattie of CU, Willy Schaeffler of DU, and womens’ coach Chuck Ferries.
