Hey, what's up with this blog?

by: Lisa Jones

Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 16:07:41 PM MDT

So it looks as if there will be no blogging here until I can do it myself. When I become sufficiently idle and irritated, I'll post something.

Thanks.

$450K for blighted block on Denver's west side?

by: McGuffey

Tue Sep 08, 2009 at 11:29:16 AM MDT

The park in the Westwood neighborhood will help right an injustice for residents who must travel a mile in each direction before they hit parkland, said Councilman Paul Lopez, who represents the area.

Except that Weir Gulch Park is only about half a mile from the proposed new park.

Will the neighborhood benefit from adding this mini park -- just 1.2 acres -- to the supposedly overburdened, budget-busting Denver parks system? Who can know.

For certain, the one who benefits most is the property owner, who will be getting a rich price from the city in a rough market. In addition, property owners immediately adjacent to the parcel will benefit. A little more than six months ago, one person acquired six rowhouse properties on S. Newton, just across from where the new park will be. What an amazing stroke of luck!

Some people will benefit from this deal. Is it "the people" of Denver? Not likely.

Quick, get a restraining order!

by: McGuffey

Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 09:31:24 AM MDT

Denver parks official Jude O'Connor got a restraining order against mayoral consultant Andrew Wallach because Wallach dared to criticize the performance of O'Connor and the Parks Dept. This is clearly and attempt to squelch criticism and intimidate critics.

Got the message, everyone? City employees have no qualms about using their city-paid time to use the court system against grumblers. Better think twice before e-mailing even the most diplomatically worded gripes to city council.

ET and sheriff arrest powers won't be on ballot

by: McGuffey

Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:09:12 PM MDT

The Denver ballot initiatives to establish an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission and expand the arrest powers of Denver Sheriffs will not be on the upcoming ballot, the initiative sponsors said yesterday. But the sponsors added that they plan on getting their initiatives on one of the possible ballots being held next year.

Meanwhile, Daniel Hayes' petition to have the Denver Police Department impound cars driven by people without a license - and require a $2,500 bond for them to get their car back - got the 4,000 signatures it needed to be placed on this November's ballot. However, the proposed initiative must get through Monday's protest hearing before being placed on the ballot.

More at Denver Daily News.

Poo Free Parks done, but questions remain

by: McGuffey

Tue Aug 25, 2009 at 09:55:33 AM MDT

Although [Parks chief Kevin] Patterson signed a draft contract with [Bill] Airy, he didn't sign the final draft of the contract.

What does that mean? Who signs "drafts" of contracts? Once it's signed, it's a contract. Sounds like Patterson has given Airy cause to sue the city for breach of contract. Denver allowed Airy to use the city logo on his car, website and marketing materials. Now Airy says:

"I'm hurt, I'm financially in a bad spot. I've got a 19-month-old baby here and my wife and I and we're stuck in a bad economy," he said. "Here I am taking a risk on my city... and I've got almost every dime I've ever saved up spent on this project, and now it's sitting in the garage."

Can a lawsuit be far off? If it comes to that Patterson ought to pay for it out of his own pocket.

Denver's jailhouse shame

by: Lisa Jones

Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 14:20:59 PM MDT

As its main expert witness, the city has hired Michael Haley, warden of Alabama's Mobile County Metro Jail, who moonlights trying to vindicate prisons in civil-rights lawsuits. The former president of the World Evangelism Bible College and Seminary charges at least $2,000 a day for his services.

Haley is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for civil-rights abuses in his jails. Why did Denver hire this guy?

As for the city, it once again has stuck its head in the sand, both on jail policies and the legal troubles of its own expert.

"We don't talk about witnesses while a case is pending," says litigation director Luis Corchado.

Read Greene's column here.

DIA slashes funds for auditor

by: McGuffey

Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 14:23:39 PM MDT

The Denver's auditor's office told a city council committee today that DIA is reducing the amount of money allocated to support the auditor's office. Because of tough economic times, DIA is cutting the budget of the city's primary watchdog.

(The Denver Auditor's office is paid for partly with general fund money and partly with funds from DIA.)

Millions more in contracts and funding, coupled with less scrutiny. The sweet deals for DIA and airport contractors just keep comin'.

Ads in Denver parks

by: McGuffey

Mon Aug 17, 2009 at 14:01:19 PM MDT

From "Poo Free Parks" promotional material:
   Top Ten Reasons to Brand Your Company with Us
   1. Association with the "Go Green" theme
   2. Opportunity to be the frst (sic) to brand your company in a place that has never before allowed it
   3. Exclusivity: No one else is allowed to brand themselves anywhere near these dispensers
   4. Great Reach: "18 X 12" signage display reaches commuters, dog owners, and general park visitors
   5. Great Frequency: people regularly walk their dogs and drive their cars along the same pathway viewing your message each time
   6. Provides a public service at no cost to the public, making you a friend of the taxpayer
   7. Increases brand awareness in a location where people tend to let their "guard" down
   8. New and unique medium that will undoubtedly generate media exposure and general public interest
   9. People love their pets and are more accepting of brands who are associated with them
   10. Involvment (sic) in community based projects positions your company as a resposible (sic) citizen

If Poo Free Parks were out in the parks picking up pet waste and disposing of it, it would be a public service. Providing pet owners with baggies, which responsible pet owners already carry with them, is not a public service. It's a thin justification for advertising in our public parks.  

Plunkett says personal favoritism affects coverage

by: McGuffey

Sun Aug 16, 2009 at 15:34:12 PM MDT

What does this have to do with Denver government? It partly explains why the Post editorial board has been an uncritical pushover and outright cheerleader for the Hickenlooper administration.

The Post endorsed Poo Free Parks without even acknowledging or understanding why neighborhood groups objected to the plan. The Post endorsed redesigning DIA before plans could even be hashed out. These are things the mayor is pushing for, so the Post goes along. Why? Hick's a decent guy.

The Post also uses its bias and power to thwart Hick's enemies, like councilman Chris Nevitt. Every time Nevitt proposes something the mayor doesn't like, the Post comes out against it. Nevitt is learning his lesson that if you don't get on board with Hick, you pay a price in the press.

Plunkett basically admits what we already know: The Post is a lackey for "decent" guys like Edwards and Hick.