by Mark Smiley | Feb 27, 2015 | Editorials
February 6, 2015
Dear Friends,
First they took our park, now they want to buy a council seat.
I joined the Friends of Denver Parks with an undying belief that no matter whom the foe that we as “citizens” — the most important title an American can hold — gives us the right to stand up against the rich and powerful. During my entire 12 years as mayor, I always looked for ways to maintain and acquire new park space. The parks we have are a contract we take out between us and the citizenry, and the legacy we leave for future generations.
I joined your effort publicly and financially because it is my belief that what happens in one part of the city will then be repeated in another part of the city. My message is a resounding: “Leave our park land alone.” Do your business deals on non-parkland. If they get away with this, the rich and powerful will try to take other parks and buy our council seats.
I believe this is already happening in Council District 4. The reason I so strongly support candidate Halisi Vinson for the Council District 4 seat is that the group who took the park are now supporting one of her opponents, a nice woman whose main interests really has been school issues.
What residents of District 4 need to be aware of is that Halisi’s opponent is taking thousands of dollars for her campaign from the people who took the park. They even rejected your signatures calling for a public vote on taking the park land, which has been officially called a park since 1955.
First they take your park, now they think they can buy your council seat.
Halisi Vinson supports District 4 residents and the city’s parks. I urge you and your friends to support Vinson because she is the candidate whose only interest is District 4.
I am engaged is this race because I don’t like any business deal that takes our parks. I will never forget in 1991 you stood up against big money to support a man in tennis shoes for your mayor.
Let’s do it again, and donate today. Remember they first took our park now they want to buy a council seat.
To learn more about Halisi and how you can help her campaign visit: http://halisivinson.com/
Or contact her at: halisi@halisivinson.com
303-550-1247 (cell)
Donate Today
Wellington E. Webb
by Mark Smiley | Feb 27, 2015 | General Featured
Patsy Brown Takes The Reins
by Charles C. Bonniwell
The 114-year-old University Club of Denver elected its first female president Patsy Brown, a broker associate with Kentwood Real Estate-Cherry Creek. Founded in 1891, the Club was based on the Athenaeum Club in London and the University Club of New York and required having a degree from a university, college or similar institution of higher learning which was not common in the 19th century. Of course, there have always been exceptions.
One of its earliest members was Henry Wolcott who helped found the Denver Club and the Denver Country Club. He was one of the most powerful businessmen and politicians in Colorado in the 1890s but never even graduated from high school. An honorary degree from a local college was arranged to meet the degree requirement.
The Club’s present home at 1673 Sherman Street is a neo-classical mansion that was built in 1895 in what was then a residential neighborhood of Capitol Hill. Major additions were added in 1923, 1957 and 1980. Today it is part of upper downtown abutting the towering Lincoln Center Office Building. The mansion has eight banquet rooms including the famous College Room ballroom designed by Temple Buell with stained glass windows containing painted glass medallions of college shields. The facilities make it a unique destination for weddings, holiday parties, dinners and other events.
The mansion also contains a fitness area, billiard tables as well as singles and doubles squash courts along with a reading library. Members also have access to over 100 reciprocal clubs both in the United States and abroad.
The University Club of Denver is probably best known for its annual Twelfth Night celebration going back over 100 years. The event is often attended by many of Colorado’s best known politicians. The musical revue lampoons the top events and individuals both locally and nationally.
Brown’s election to the Club’s presidency represents the culmination of over a
half century battle over female membership. The University Club was founded as an all male institution and seen in part like a fraternity for adult men. The concept of accepting female members was first raised in the early 1940s when World War II cut membership by two-thirds.
By the late 1980s, based on a United States Supreme Court ruling, the government of the City and County of Denver threatened to revoke city licenses, including the Club’s liquor license, unless women were admitted and the dispute made the local news. After various votes which failed to amend the bylaws to admit women, a vote of 374 to 26 was taken to approve the change in the membership requirements from “a man” to “a person” effective January 1, 1991.
The Club just established a new membership category for individuals who have been members for 50 years or more and there are 25 such individuals. Today approximately 25 percent of the members are female along with, of course, wives of male members.
One of those longtime members stated, “Having a coed club is neither better nor worse than an all male one, just different. For me some of the camaraderie and uproarious fun has been lost but there has been a great civilizing effect by mixing the sexes in membership and that makes going to the club on an everyday basis far more enjoyable.”
The new president joined the University Club in 2004. A Denver native, she went to Kent School for Girls after attending Morey Middle School and then on to the University of Colorado at Boulder. She married and moved to the small town of Eldora, Illinois, where her husband was a bank president and she taught at local public and private schools which she thoroughly enjoyed. Moving back to Colorado at the start of the century she decided to go into the real estate field.
As president of the University Club, she notes that one of her main goals is to get the word out about the Club so that it isn’t necessarily the best kept secret in Denver. She loves showing off the Club to people who may have never heard about it. When she asks members what they like best about the University Club they note it is a place for friends to meet and socialize. They tell her that it is a chance to mix and mingle with distinguished individuals from all different fields of endeavor and all different ages. She adds that the Club seems to attract by nature individuals who are witty and fun.
Individuals interested in inquiring about possible membership in the University Club can go to the Club’s website www. uclubdenver.org.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 26, 2015 | Main Articles
Planning Board Approves Development; Showdown Is March 31 Before City Council
by Glen Richardson
A storm is brewing in Denver’s Crestmoor neighborhood. Up in arms over the latest development proposed at the Mt. Gilead Church property, residents from Crestmoor, Lowry and surrounding neighborhoods packed Eisenhower Chapel Jan. 6 hoping to ward off a zoning change proposed by Metropolitan Homes. Then during a Feb. 1 snowstorm, many demonstrated in front of the church property. Finally on Feb. 10 Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman facilitated a meeting between neighborhood leaders and Metropolitan Homes to see if the parties could find common ground. The developer did make concessions but did not alter plans for density and other issues.
Peter Kudla, founder of Metropolitan Homes, is seeking the zoning change so he can build a 120-unit, three-story apartment complex on the 2.3-acre site at Cedar and Monaco. The change in zoning would increase the density from 2.6 units per acre or about one home on each one-third acre to a density of 52 units per acre. Before it was finally dropped, the Alpert-Eisen development proposed for the same property eight years ago and widely covered by the Chronicle (July and August 2007) ended up being about 56 units.
The Denver Planning Board on Jan. 21 voted to approve the zoning change in the neighborhood of single-family homes despite opponents outnumbering supporters during the six-hour hearing. Planning Board members did express uneasiness about the proposal but said they were not allowed to consider potential problems to traffic due to inadequate parking or safety issues. If the rezoning passes the City Council’s Neighborhood & Planning Committee, first reading by the full City Council was scheduled for March 2 (no public testimony is allowed) followed by a second reading and public hearing set for March 31, 5:30 p.m.
Density, Parking Issues
Kudla purchased the property in October of last year for $1.8 million. The majority of residents in attendance at Eisenhower Chapel argued that the proposed increase in density would have a profound impact on the amount of traffic within the Crestmoor and Lowry residential neighborhoods. “The project will provide inadequate parking. The city allows fewer parking spaces in areas with good transportation options. We don’t have that option here,” declared one attendee. “Auto traffic will increase and more commuters will use side streets around Crestmoor Park as they try to avoid traffic congestion at Alameda and Monaco. Also, Crestmoor Park is used a great deal by children and families,” added another.
Residents also noted that the proposed zoning (S-MU-3 or a multi-unit three-story) does not limit the number of units a developer can put on a property. “Once the zoning is changed, if the zoning transfers with the sale of the property the new owner can do any number of units without seeking input or approval from residents,” one person warned.
Several of those in attendance noted the area is zoned for single-family homes and there is no compelling need to change the zoning. “Crestmoor is formally designated as an Area of Stability within Blueprint Denver, not an Area of Change,” someone else pointed out.
The church property itself also became a point of contention. A resident living next to Crestmoor Park in the patio homes behind Mt. Gilead Church argued in favor of the proposed development, suggesting the church was an eyesore. Another Crestmoor resident said, however, that the church had historic significance and should be registered as a historic place.
Feb. 10 Face-off
At the Feb. 10 meeting representatives from the Englewood-based development company refused to reduce the density of their proposed apartments. The developer has decided to allow additional parking and fewer two-bedroom units, but insists on building a 120-unit complex. Kudla now says they would build 50 two-bedroom and 70 one-bedroom units. Furthermore Kudla representatives said they would not consider building any kind of for-sale product including condos, townhomes or patio homes.
“We participated in good faith and were eager to negotiate,” attendees at the Feb. 10 meeting told the Chronicle. “We hoped that leaders from Metropolitan Homes would come to the table willing to offer neighbors a more appropriate project, but unfortunately they would not alter their plans for the proposed density and are not willing to consider anything but rentals.”
At that meeting Kudla representatives told the neighborhood group they will proceed with their application for a zoning change before the Denver City Council. The Crestmoor group says, however, the developers do not have the zoning that entitled them to build the project. “We can stop them if neighborhood residents tell City Council members that they don’t want this project. We think we can do much better than a 120-unit apartment complex.” They admit, nevertheless, that the March 31 hearing is critical and urge community members to attend and speak up.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 26, 2015 | Main Articles
by Glen Richardson
Perhaps the biggest fight in the upcoming Denver municipal election is in the 4th Council District where Councilwoman Peggy Lehman is term limited. While there are five candidates for the council seat, it appears to be coming down between two women, Halisi Vinson and Kendra Black, who represent dramatically different interests. To date the other candidates have not raised sufficient funds to get a strong political message out.
The 4th District is the southeast portion of the city from East IIiff Avenue on the north down to Belleview Avenue, and includes the neighborhoods of Wellshire, University Hills, Goldsmith, Hampden, Hampden South, Kennedy and Southmoor Park. (See map on Page 19.)
Black is viewed by Webb supporters as a candidate being wholly under the control of real estate developers and initiators of the destruction of the Hentzell Park natural area in the District that raised an uproar by citizens.
Halisi Vinson on the other hand is being backed by park advocates including former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb. The former mayor sent a blistering e-mail to interested parties throughout the 4th District and elsewhere declaring in the opening sentence: “First they took our park and now they want to buy a council seat.” (See the full letter on Page 3.)
He goes on to note, “What residents of District 4 need to be aware of is that Halisi’s opponent is taking thousands for her campaign from those who took the park. They even rejected your signatures calling for a public vote on taking the park land, which has been officially called a park since 1955.”
The e-mail has set off a firestorm of debate not only in the 4th District but across the city.
Black was the co-chair of the highly controversial 15 member oversight committee appointed to oversee the funds of the $466 million bond issue approved by voters in November 2012. Critics accused Black and her fellow committee members as being little more than “a rubber stamp for the district’s spending plans” according to the website Chalkbeat Colorado.
Among Black’s numerous endorsers and money contributors are Lisa Dannemiller, the disgraced Denver Park Manager who orchestrated the destruction of the Hentzell Park Natural Area for Mayor Michael Hancock. She oversaw the removal of longtime park advocates from the Park Advisory Board who opposed the mayor’s plans.
Another higher controversial contributor is Marcus Pachner. A lobbyist and political fixture, Pachner was paid by the International Risk Group to help smooth over the selling of 80 acres of Lowry Vista open space to the developer for $10 for massive mixed use development that outraged citizens in the 5th District. The appearance of Pachner on the money donation list of Black has drawn the ire of park advocates in the 5th District.
Additional endorsers include wealthy attorney Steve Farber whose law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP is widely despised by good government advocates but represents many of Colorado’s most powerful real estate developers, and CRL Associates another influential Denver lobbying firm for developers.
Webb admirer and park advocate Trish Abbott said, “Ms. Black’s endorsers include a rogue’s gallery of some of the greediest individuals in all of Denver. If she gets in office she will let them destroy the district so it will be unrecognizable in four years.” Webb noted in his e-mail, “ïf they get away with this, the rich and powerful will try to take other parks and buy our council seats.”
Another park advocate Richard Witholder urged District voters to go to Black’s website and review the Issues section where she refers to herself in the third person as in “We are fiscally responsible.” The fact she uses the royal “We” tells you everything you need to know about her.
She went on to note, “With Kendra Black you can say goodbye to any parks and open space in the District that the developers can grab along with massive high rises in local residential neighborhoods. Just look what they have done to Cherry Creek North, Lowry and Crestmoor. These fat cats and neighborhood busters are not giving her all this money for nothing.”
Other Vinson supporters note that Black appears to have little or no business experience other than her assertion of “witnessing my husband’s 25 years in small business.”
Webb in turn noted that Vinson is a fierce advocate for parks who has an MBA and 30 years of corporate and venture capital experience. Vinson states, “I will be dedicated to making sure that we maintain what we love about Denver, like our open spaces and parks, in the midst of change.” She is a member of the Hampden Heights Civic Association. She is married to Ric Crawley a former firefighter and city employee.
A review of the Candidate Financial Dis-closure Statements for “Halisi Vinson for Denver” show the largest contributors to her campaign to date are Christopher Dinkel, a Denver immigration lawyer, for $940; The Holt Group, a Denver law firm, for $1,000 as well as Mary Holt for $1,000 and Ty Holt for $500. Keith Kegley a Los Angeles IT entrepreneur for $1,000; Arthur Suazo a principal in Hudson Pacific, a commercial real estate firm in Los Angeles, for $1,000; and Crews of California, an airport gift shop in Las Vegas, for $1,000.
Black graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, as did Vinson’s son.
The supporters of Black, including Jeff Allen the COO of the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce, argue that Black has broad support and “she represents many diverse interests and she wants to represent all Denverites to make the city a better place to live in and work.”
Another supporter of Black, former Denver City Councilman Ed Thomas, noted that “real estate developers are important stakeholders in Denver and they deserve advocates like Kendra Black on the City Council to represent theirs as well as other business interests.”
A third supporter who did not want to be identified by name went on to declare, “What right does Wellington Webb have to tell us in the 4th District how to vote? Black has lived in this district most of her life and Webb has never lived within the District’s boundaries ever. He just wants to control everything.”
Both Black and Vinson have sought the endorsement of the AFL-CIO labor union which has not endorsed any candidate in the 4th District to date.
Given the wealth and influence of supporters of Kendra Black observers view her as the odds-on favorite for the council seat, but Vinson appears to be gaining a surprising amount of grassroots support according to activists in the 4th District who see a possible upset in the making.
The first round of the Denver municipal election is scheduled for May 5 and if no candidate gets a majority of the votes a runoff between the top two candidates will be held on June 2.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 26, 2015 | Glendale City News
by Marco Cummings
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
For the Glendale Raptors, a new season in the Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP) is well underway. But with four road games to start the team’s current campaign, many of Glendale’s rugby fans may find themselves acclimating to the 2015 version of their favorite team.
Like any sports team, the Raptors have not been immune to the inevitability of player movement. No less than 10 players from last season’s roster will not be joining the Raptors in 2015. Of note, three veterans have announced their retirement from the game, including back Mike Graham, forward Mike Kenyon and lock Casey Rock.
“There becomes a point in any sportsman’s career where you’ve got to make that decision. Age plays a factor, injury plays a factor, and lifestyle changes play a factor,” Raptors head coach Andre Snyman explained. “We’re unfortunate to lose those important veterans on the team, they were all a part of that.”
A devastating knee injury ended Rock’s playing career, but it hasn’t knocked him out of the sport. He’s staying on with the team to assist in coaching the forwards.
Added Snyman, “It’s great to see guys like Casey still be active and part of the club.”
The Raptors will also be missing another key piece from the team’s run to the PRP championship game last season in Justin Pauga. The 29-year-old CSU product made the offseason jump to the Raptors’ local PRP rival, the Denver Barbarians (nicknamed the Barbos).
“That was a bit out of the blue; it was unexpected,” Snyman said of the move. “It was disappointing because he was a star and a key player to what we were doing.”
Conversely, Glendale has snatched away their own player from Denver. The Raptors have added former Barbos back Iniki Fa’amusili, a 22-year-old with five seasons of competitive experience.
It should make the match between the Raptors and Barbos on March 7 at Infinity Park one to circle on the calendars.
“There’s always been rivalry between the Barbos and Glendale even before I arrived at the club four years ago,” Snyman elaborated. “It’s good because it’s easy to get the players motivated. It’s a bad thing sometimes because we’re always trying to build bridges between the two clubs. Hopefully the attitudes have changed to the point where we can all promote rugby.”
It will be one of four home games for the Raptors in March, which includes weekend contests against PRP opponents Olympic Club, Old Mission Beach Athletic Club and last season’s champions, San Francisco Golden Gate.
When it comes to player movement however, Glendale’s cupboards will be far from bare this season, with a new influx of incoming veteran recruits as well as players freshly coming up from the collegiate ranks.
Most impressive to Snyman has been the addition of USA Eagles pool players, props Ben Tarr and Nick Wallace.
“It’s no wonder they are Eagles,” commented Snyman. “[Tarr] and [Wallace] are really solid players.”
Another player that has impressed the coaches in training is 6-foot-1 Australian center Dan Flemming, a player which Snyman is “excited” to see in action during league play.
All in all, nearly 20 new players hope to be in the mix for selection this season.
Added Snyman, “The new players have really put their heads up and they’re trying to make a difference.”
Like every year since Infinity Park was first built, numerous sponsors have helped turn Glendale into RugbyTown USA. Of course, it all started with the stadium actually being built.
As Jennifer Julian Mathers, Marketing Manager of Turner Construction explained, “Turner Construction has a long-standing relationship with the City of Glendale and is honored to continue our partnership by sponsoring the Glendale Raptors and the Infinity Park Stadium. As the General Contractor of the stadium, sports center and event center, it has been a pleasure watching this project grow from a vision to a reality and beyond.”
Turner Construction is just one of the sponsors the Raptors have secured for the 2015 PRP season, a list headlined by companies which includes Butler Rents, 1st Bank, Alphagraphics and Xfinity by Comcast.
“A great deal of energy and civic pride has been generated as a result of this beautiful facility in the heart of Glendale and the resulting excitement about the sport of rugby,” added Geoff Graham, president of Alphagraphics. “Alphagraphics is honored to be involved with Infinity Park in a relationship that is as much a partnership as it is a sponsorship. Never before has our involvement in this business community provided us with so many lucrative business opportunities and relationships.”
Sponsors have not only been impressed by the facilities that Glendale has provided, but also the fan base that fills the stands during home matches.
“Each season I learn more about this great game and am continually in awe of the dedicated and growing fan base,” said Barb Wyatt, owner of Butler Rental Company. “It’s such an exciting time for the sport and with the approaching 2016 Olympics in Rio, we know the game is just getting started in the U.S. Butler Rents is proud to endorse the Glendale Raptors Rugby Football Club. Best of luck Raptors in the Spring PRP Season.”
The excitement and anticipation for the 2015 season is reciprocated by those within the club.
“We’re very fortunate to have all the sponsors on board and help in any way they can. We’d like to thank them to allow us to participate in a sport that we all love,” Snyman concluded.
