Wellington Webb’s Fraudulent Defense Of Park Hill Golf Course

by Mark Smiley | Jul 26, 2019 | Editorials

There he defiantly stood on the veranda of the public Park Hill Golf Course, the three-time former mayor of Denver, Wellington Webb, who is still very much a political powerhouse in the city. He had called an emergency press conference to give out a clarion call to all citizens to save 155-acre Park Hill Golf Course as open space against the ravages of one more rapacious high-density developer, this time Westside Investment Partners, Inc. and its unctuous CEO and snake oil salesman Andrew Klein.

Webb was eloquent and passionate about a subject near and dear to his heart. After all, as he pointed out, as mayor he had done more than any other recent mayor for parks and open space in the City and County of Denver. Moreover, his critique of what is happening in Denver as a result of the Hancock administration was absolutely spot on. He accurately noted the destruction the Hancock administration had brought and was continuing to bring to the Queen City of the Plains. He declared:

“As our city has transformed drastically in the last few years, we cannot allow precious open space to become another casualty of development.

“Once developers chip away at this open space, there will be no excuses to go after more, including our parks.

“I think open space and park space is one of our most important commodities. If we allow this park space to be sold and redeveloped into a concrete jungle, I believe no park in Denver is safe.

“Because what do we get in its place? Housing like that across the street, where you walk out the door and you’re on the sidewalk with no greenspace.”

“Once this is gone, it’s gone for good. It’s gone forever — gone for our children, our children’s children. Gone for what?

“That’s not the Denver I remember. But when I came here from Chicago, I didn’t want Denver to be Chicago. I wanted Denver to be Denver.”

We could not have said it better ourselves. Westside’s Founder and Managing Principal Klein tried to con Webb and the public by asserting that he would build “affordable housing” and maybe if the neighbors begged pathetically enough, a grocery store with a nice large parking lot. Webb correctly understood that such claims by Klein were little more than “a trick to garner support.” Klein will brutally rape Park Hill for every penny he can get out of it, while buying off whatever neighborhood quislings he can to mimic lines that he feeds them.

But there is one big problem with what Webb did, and it shows that he doesn’t really care about what is happening to Park Hill Golf Course or Denver as a whole. Michael Hancock and his merry band of destructive high-density developers would not be in power today if it were not for Wellington Webb. If Webb had given the same Park Hill speech and call to action just a few weeks before the June mayoral runoff between Michael Hancock and Jamie Giellis, then Jamie Giellis would be mayor and Park Hill Golf Course would have been saved.

What is, in fact, important to Webb is that all of his friends and acquaintances got their concessions at DIA renewed resulting in millions in profits for them. His daughter Stephanie O’Malley was appointed early on by Hancock to be Manager of Safety, an all-powerful position that oversees the police, fire and sheriff departments. This post was one that she was totally unqualified for. When her ineptitude became too embarrassing, he gave her the odd title of simply “Mayoral Appointee” with no responsibilities or job requirements for which she brings down a six-figure salary. She has the ultimate no work job all thanks to his Honor and his administration.

Webb lives in Park Hill and his neighbors have been begging him to speak out and oppose the sale for months. He has come out now when it simply doesn’t matter anymore. The sale to Westside took place a little over a week later for $24 million. Westside’s only problem is that in 1994 under the Webb administration, the Clayton Trust took $2 million in return for a conservation easement keeping the open space for perpetuity. Westside and Klein must get the easement cancelled and the property rezoned by the City Council.

Webb has urged citizens to petition, protest and pressure the mayor and the City Council not to lift the easement and/or grant the rezoning. He notes that incumbent council members including two of the mayor’s strongest allies lost re-election bids largely in reaction to the excessive development scheme in their districts.

But Webb knows the three new council members will make no difference whatsoever in a 13-member City Council filled with corrupt lackeys of the mayor. Going to City Council meetings in Denver is a joke. The elected officials couldn’t care less what the public thinks. Klein and Westside would not have paid $24 million for the property if the fix was not already in with the mayor’s office and the City Council and Webb knows it.

Webb’s entire charade concerning Park Hill Golf Course was done so he can tell his neighbors and friends that he did “all he could do” to prevent the destruction of the neighborhood when, in fact, he did nothing when it really mattered. If you live in Park Hill and see the old mayor wandering around you may want to note to him the saying attributed to Abraham Lincoln, that: “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” He has been caught this time in his sham defense of Park Hill Golf Course and at least some of his neighbors now know it.

Even Wellington Webb should be ashamed of himself.

 — Editorial Board

Park Hill Golf Course — First Acid Test Of New City Council

by Mark Smiley | Jun 21, 2019 | Editorials

The June municipal election runoff is over and the Denver voters in their inestimable wisdom have decided they want four more years of Mayor Michael Hancock and the crony capitalists that control him. Political newbie Jamie Giellis ran a spirited campaign and the mayor had to strongly rely on the race card to besmirch her for his victory. He was greatly aided in his race baiting by The Denver Post, Colorado Springs Gazette, Channel 9, Channel 7 and Channel 4. Giellis had no money to counter the endless ads and mainstream stories calling her a bigot.

Somewhat contradictorily the voters threw out Hancock’s closest allies on the City Council, Albus Brooks and Mary Beth Susman, along with Wayne New. The mayor’s people also tried to save Brooks by sending out a flyer with Candi CdeBaca’s logo on it urging Latinos to vote, and that it is “Time for this monkey to go!” [African American]. The trouble with that tactic was that CdeBaca is both Hispanic and African American and the racist flyer was clearly the work of the Hancock/Brooks slander machine that worked so successfully to smear Giellis. This time it didn’t work. CdeBaca, for that and many other reasons, probably will not be a lackey for the Hancock administration.

There will be five new faces on the 13-member City Council and the question is whether the new council will have any more of a backbone than the old one to stand up to the high-density developers that run the mayor’s office. That question will be quickly answered as it has just been announced that the 200-acre Park Hill Golf Course will be sold to the worst of the worst high-density developers, Westside Investments LLC, a firm that is also planning the destruction of the Loretta Heights campus.

The seller of the property is the Clayton Trust which runs the Clayton Early Learning Center. The Clayton Trust was set up after the death of real estate mogul George Washington Clayton in 1899. He left his entire estate to help orphan boys between the ages of 6 and 10 but has been a tempting target of municipal and corporate corruption ever since. The Clayton Trust was originally administered by the City and County of Denver but was turned over to an independent board after city officials were caught selling various parcels of land to their friends at far below market value. No, Michael Hancock did not invent municipal corruption in the City and County of Denver, but his administration has only helped to bring it to new heights.

Of course, the trustees could not be trusted not to loot the Trust so in 1997 the city gave the trust $2 million to mandate the remaining land to be open space. The money and other funds of the Trust have been utilized to run the Clayton Early Learning Center on the grounds. There appears to be no reason to have the Center other than to enrich the rapacious women who run the Center, exploiting poor minorities with very young children who are grateful for whatever handouts and care the Early Learning Center can provide, and who are in no position to protest their contemptible treatment.

The new City Council will have to approve the sale, negate the open space constriction and approve high density development with a fraudulent claim of improving “affordable housing.” It will be interesting to watch how District 10’s newest councilman Chris Hinds responds. Hinds was able to overthrow incumbent Wayne New by pointing out how New failed to criticize the Hancock Administration and let development go on unabated in Cherry Creek North. Hinds was greatly aided in his victory by various unions and the far-left Working Families Party which got its start in New York City and was instrumental in getting Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez elected to Congress. Hinds pounded New for being the only city council person who was not a registered Democrat (New is registered as an independent.)

Less emphasized by Hinds was a position that he was a great proponent of high-density development with the standard caveat that he would be for it as long as it would assist “affordable housing.” It is assumed he would be the poster boy for the destruction of one of the largest open spaces in Denver so long as he could fraudulently claim it assisted “affordable housing.”

Candi CdeBaca was also greatly assisted in her victory by the Working Families Party and is a professed Marxist. It is a sign of the times that we endorsed CdeBaca. As a practical matter we are willing to take an honest Marxist like CdeBaca who actually cares about Denver over an absolute crooked crony capitalist like Albus Brooks. Our fear is that Hinds will combine his far-left politics with the sleazy, crooked, crony capitalism of Albus Brooks to become just one more Hancock lackey. His actions regarding the sale of the Park Hill Golf Course will indicate early on whether our fears are well placed or not.

• Editorial Board

Denver Municipal Election Runoff Endorsements

by Mark Smiley | May 25, 2019 | Editorials

Normally, the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle only endorses candidates in Districts which are part of our circulation area. This time, however, we believe this to be a make-or-break election for the future of the city. We are, therefore, endorsing candidates in all runoff races as well as Initiated Ordinance 302. We acknowledge if incumbent Michael Hancock wins his race against Jamie Giellis there is a little hope that the next four years will be any better than the last disastrous eight years. If Giellis wins, however, she will need allies to fight against the high-density developers that are not going to go gently into that good night. Our endorsements are as follows:

MAYOR – JAMIE GIELLIS. Michael Hancock has been the worst mayor of Denver since Wolfe Londoner (1891-1893) who ended up in jail, which would be the fate of Hancock if there were any justice in this town. Londoner was the puppet of the whisky barons of Denver while Hancock is the tool of the high-density developers. If given a choice between the two, high-density developers have been a far more malevolent force than the whiskey barons ever were. Jamie Giellis is a bright new face with an urban planning background which is badly needed in the city. Can she survive the last minute desperate and vicious mudslinging of his Honor and his allies? We certainly hope so, but only time will tell.

CLERK AND RECORDER – PEG PERL. This one was easy. Paul Lopez is wholly unqualified for the position as he demonstrated in the only debate. Moreover, he has indicated that he will politicalize the position which is exactly what is not needed. Peg Perl is very well qualified to run the office in a fair and equitable manner for all the residents of the city.

INITIATED ORDINANCE 302 – YES. The city dodged a bullet when the Olympic Committee chose Salt Lake City over Denver to bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics. Only high-density developers and certain businessmen wanted to bring the Olympics to Denver and they couldn’t have cared less what the citizens of the city thought. Next time, if this proposal passes, Denver will have to ask the voters of the city what they think before wasting large sums of money for a project that would benefit only a very few.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10: WAYNE NEW. Wayne was one of four councilmen who ran in 2015 opposing the reckless and wasteful developments of Mayor Hancock in Cherry Creek and across the city. Some feel Wayne has not done enough to oppose the Mayor and his policies, but behind-the-scenes resistance leader Rafael Espinoza says Wayne was his greatest ally and fought with him in many of the key fights, not all of which were successful. Newcomer Chris Hinds is an attractive candidate in many ways, but the behind-the-scenes support for him of the city’s unions and people who are often allied with high-density developers make him a risk that he will become just one more person who actually only listens to the rich and powerful in the city.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 – AMANDA SAWYER. Little controversy here. Incumbent Mary Beth Susman has been the lackey for high-density developers in her District and across the city. She was even caught taking written instructions from developers and their lobbyists on exactly what to say in City Council meetings. Her door knocker advertisement states: “A Leader Who Listens.” Anyone who has been to a City Council meeting where a high-density development is being considered would know that tag line should be: “A Councilwoman Who Listens Only to Developers.” Amanda Sawyer got involved in the race after helping with one of the few neighborhood victories in stopping the ill-considered Green Flats development on Holly. It would be nice to have a councilwoman who actually does listen to the everyday citizens.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 – AMANDA SANDOVAL. Hopefully, City Council meetings will have another Amanda on the dais fighting for the neighborhoods that have been ignored for so long. Sandoval has been the chief of staff for Rafael Espinoza, the leader in the fight against high-density developers, and will continue his great work. Her opponent is the intellectually limited fireman Mike Somma who will be little more than a parrot for the city’s unions.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 – Veronica Barela. In District 3 there is only one candidate who has expressly opposed the disastrous Sloan’s Lake mega project sponsored by the outgoing councilman Paul Lopez and the Brownstein Farber Law Firm. Barela’s longterm advocacy for the District demonstrates that she is willing to fight against the powers to be in the city. Her opponent is immigration rights activist Jamie Torres who has not demonstrated the same resolve.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 – Candi CdeBaca. Last, but not least, this race pits Mayor Hancock’s presumed successor, Albus, “The Buddha” Brooks, who spends his time looking for handouts from the rich and powerful. Candi CdeBaca’s surprisingly strong showing in the initial round indicates that District 9’s residents are tired of being forced out of Denver by high-density developments pushed by Brooks, and are ready for a change.

• Editorial Board

‘In a Democracy People Get The Leaders They Deserve.’ — Joseph de Maistre

by Mark Smiley | Apr 29, 2019 | Editorials

On Election Day May 7 we will all learn who the leaders are in the City and County of Denver that we “deserve” particularly as pertains to the next mayor. There are no excuses for us this election cycle. Four years ago, Mayor Michael Hancock ran unopposed so we can hardly blame ourselves for re-electing him to a second term.

Eight years ago, our excuse was, sure, he was inexperienced, badly lacking in basic knowledge of important civic issues, but he was an engaging African American councilman with an incredible feel good saga of arising from poverty to prominence. Back then we just didn’t want to look behind the curtain and see developer Pat Hamill and the executive crony capitalists of the hilariously named “Colorado Concern” to see who would really be running the city, with Hancock the mayor in name only.

We now know with absolute certainty that his Honor is a moral and intellectual pigmy. If his rude, foul mouthed son is any example, he is an equally disgraceful father as he is husband.  Hancock spends his time going to ribbon-cuttings in between workout sessions and chasing and harassing women here in Denver, and out of town in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. We discovered shortly after his first election that he is a john that cavorts with prostitutes and is shameless in endlessly lying to try to cover it up. We learned last year from a policewoman that he harasses women who work for him and uses taxpayer money to gain their silence.

What Hancock has done to the city in eight short years is in its own way truly amazing. He has destroyed parks and open space throughout the city at the whim of high-density developers. Homeless street people control portions of the 16th Street Mall where the smell of urine and feces permeates the air for outdoor diners. Beautiful boulevards like Speer Boulevard have become concrete canyons with buildings pushed right up to the street. The Cherry Creek Bike Path has become, in part, a heroin needle drop-off point. He championed, along with Councilman Albus “The Buddha” Brooks, to make Denver the heroin capital of the West with so-called “Safe Injection Sites” only to be shot down at the state capitol thanks to a state-wide revolt.

A City Hall awash in tax funds has done nothing for the neighborhoods he and his compliant City Council and Planning Commission are destroying. Not providing adequate parking in new developments has not stopped people from using cars but rather made streets clogged and virtual parking lots at certain times of the day.

The one positive aspect to the homeowners of Denver has been the ever-increasing value of homes and condominiums in the city. But that party appears to be over with price of homes decreasing the last few months as the quagmire that Denver has become is ever more evident to potential home buyers.

There are three great candidates for the office — urban planner Jamie Giellis, former state legislator and lawyer Penfield Tate III and Colorado Latino Forum Lisa Calderón. Each was featured at length last month on Page 3. So why in the world would anyone vote for Mayor Hancock this time? The city’s only daily paper, the sad and ever shrinking Denver Post gave a it a try in its endorsement of Mayor Hancock for a third and final term. It is broadly known that that The Denver Post, (which is no longer located in Denver but housed in its production plant in Adams County) is financially dependent on the City and County of Denver which is bailing it out of its white elephant office building across from City Hall and the State Capitol.

In its endorsement, The Denver Post could not name a single accomplishment of Hancock in his eight years in office. Instead the paper proffered that we all should look forward to future projects such as the revitalization of the National Western Stock Show Complex (which Hancock originally tried to pawn off on Aurora) upgrades for the 16th Street Mall which Hancock has effectively destroyed and bond money for roads and bike lanes etc. How pathetic. The Post notes the many personal failings of Hancock but states “accusations that he is in the back pockets of developers . . . miss the mark.” Yeah, right.

In a bizarre, concluding paragraph, the paper declares that we must re-elect Hancock because “he is the only candidate ready to meet the challenges if this nation faces an economic downturn.” What in the world is the editorial board of this 130-year-old paper talking about? Michael Hancock is utterly inept at everything he has ever done. He could not manage his way out of a paper bag. Maybe The Denver Post is referring to his handlers like developer Pat Hamill but the paper should at least have the guts to say so.

One could sense The Denver Post Editorial Board was ashamed of what it had composed and argued. The Comment Section in the paper on the editorial was devastating with virtually every comment mocking and laughing at the editorial. One of the less vitriolic, but apt comments, was one that stated the Editorial Board should have published the editorial on April Fool’s Day rather than April 12.

On the evening of May 7, we will learn whether we will have assured a third term for Michael Hancock or we will have a runoff between Hancock and one of the challengers. If it is a Hancock third term, we can look in the mirror and realize that Denver’s greatest enemy is ourselves. If it is a runoff, we can all gear up for a battle royale to try to save the city, we love.

• Editorial Board

Hippity Hop: Valley Hoppin’ Down Bunny Trail Filling Baskets With Fun

by Mark Smiley | Apr 1, 2019 | Editorials

Begin Spring Fling At Sunrise Services, Egg Hunts, Bunny Bolts Then Dine On Scrumptious Spring Lamb

Holidays are always about family in the Cherry Creek Valley but none brings more smiles than Easter. Truly unique worship experiences including the 72nd Annual Red Rocks Sunrise Service plus family egg hunts and bunny bolts fill the day with happiness and joy.

Moreover, family and friends also spend the day enjoying incredible holiday feasts. There are dozens of Easter brunches around town or those lucky enough can enjoy spit-roasted whole lamb served annually at Denver’s Monaco Inn Restaurant.

Here is our Egg’stra special selection of Easter things to do: Easter Services

Red Rocks Sunrise Services

On Resurrection Sunday April 21, the Colorado Council of Churches will host its 72nd Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 4:30-7:30 a.m. This is a truly unique worship experience that draws people from across the Cherry Creek Valley, all of the Rocky Mountain area and rest of the nation.

In previous years, an estimated 11,000 people attended the service. For many attendees who don’t regularly attend church, this is a special opportunity to hear the gospel. Given the spectacular venue and the service, it’s no wonder that so many people have this event on their “Bucket List.”

Given the extraordinary turnout for this worship service, it is recommended that attendees arrive close to 4:30 a.m. Once the Amphitheatre is at capacity, police handling traffic will not allow additional access. Remember to dress warmly as it can get quite cold before the sun rises.

Easter Grand Encampment

The Knights Templar Association of Colorado has announced that the Western States Easter Grand Encampment has moved from Salt Lake City to Denver.

The Encampment is from April 18-21 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown, just minutes away from the Scottish Rite Consistory where Easter service will be held on April 21, 6:30 a.m., Doors will open at 5:30 a.m. Breakfast will be available at the Consistory following the ceremony.

The Colorado Easter Sunrise Service has been celebrated and conducted by the Knights Templar of Colorado for 94 consecutive years. Not only do the Templars participate, but every other Masonic body as well. Registration: wseo-denver.com.

More Easter Services

Augustana Lutheran: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on E. Alameda Ave.

Bethany United Methodist: 9 and 10:30 a.m. services located on W. 1st Ave.

Catholic Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: 8:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. mass located at Logan and Colfax Ave.

Cherry Creek Spiritual Growth Center: 10 a.m. services located on E. Yale Ave.

Christ Lutheran: 6:30 a.m. sunrise worship; 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on S. Broadway.

New Covenant Christian: 6 a.m. sunrise worship; 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Ivanhoe St.

Montview Presbyterian: 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Dahlia St.

St. John’s Episcopal: 7:30, 9 and 11:15 a.m. Eucharist rites located on Clarkson St.

St. Paul’s Lutheran: 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Grant St.

Trinity United Methodist: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on Broadway.

Easter Eating

Thanksgiving is the undisputed king of Valley food holidays nonetheless at many eateries Easter is just as satisfying. The reason is simple, Easter is the Thanksgiving of spring. At many restaurants you can eat to the point of bursting but without the family pressures of Thanksgiving.

The hunt is over: Here’s where to break bread with family and friends this Easter weekend over brunch, lunch or dinner:

Dining Delights

Monaco Inn Restaurant

Celebrating Easter is much more than an epic holiday meal at the Monaco Inn Restaurant — it’s a Valley tradition stretching back more than 30 years. Easter without Colorado spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries at this family run eatery just south of Leetsdale on Monaco at Tennessee is hard to imagine.

Savor the fresh roasted lamb served with roasted oven Greek potatoes, a Greek salad or Avgolemono soup with a glass of wine. Begin your Easter celebration with a flaming Greek cheese Saganaki appetizer, Opa! End the holiday enjoying Galaktoboureko, the traditional Greek dessert made with a custard in a crispy phyllo pastry shell.

Serving Easter Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Make your reservations early. Information: 303-320-1104.

Easter Breakfast

Dave & Busters

This American food and arcade game fun spot on S. Colorado Blvd. is serving breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to a full breakfast buffet you receive a “power card” with unlimited video game play. Coffee, tea, soda and juices are provided. Also included are photos with the Easter Bunny (bring your camera or phone) plus arts & crafts. Information: 303-209-2907.

Other Breakfasts: In connection with sunrise services the Bethany United Methodist Church at 3501 W. 1st Ave. is serving breakfast at 9 and 10:30 a.m. During this year’s Easter Grand Encampment the Scottish Rite Consistory at 1307 Grant St. will serve breakfast following the ceremony.

Best Brunch Bets

Celebrate Easter Sunday by enjoying a special brunch at a local restaurant. There are buffets to share with families plus eateries where you can spend time on the patio soaking up springtime outside with mimosas.

Charcoal Bistro

Charcoal Bistro, the eatery on Old South Gaylord in the Wash Park neighborhood is serving Easter brunch with a buffet of sweets and starters followed by ala carte entrees of your choice.

Edge Restaurant

The Edge Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown is serving a brunch buffet with bottomless mimosas. Brunch item selection will include a raw bar, special carving selections and Easter themed dessert.

Fire Restaurant

Fire, the restaurant in the Art Hotel in the Golden Triangle adjacent to the Art Museum, offers a brunch buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu includes a raw bar, herb crusted leg of lamb, whole smoked salmon and Easter desserts. Parking is complimentary and there will be a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny.

Ocean Prime

This seafood and steakhouse with locations in Larimer Square and on Belleview Ave. in Greenwood Village offers a special Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Features include blood orange mimosas, lobster toast, crab & eggs, braised short rib surf & turf and a blackened salmon salad.

Easter Egg Hunts

Easter Eggstravaganza

The annual Glendale Sports Center’s annual egg hunt is at the Infinity Park Sports Field located at 4599 E. Tennessee Ave. in Glendale on Saturday April 15, 10 a.m. sharp. The event is divided into three age groups: 0 to 3, 4 to 6 and 7 to 19, all starting at the same time. Bring an Easter basket plus camera or phone to create great memories for you and the kids. The Easter Bunny will be hopping by for a visit. Information: 303-639-4711.

Children’s Museum Bunny Trail

The annual event on the Marsico Campus is April 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no age limit. The Easter extravaganza is full of art projects, treats and an Easter Bunny visits. Hop your way over with the kids and grandkids for a good time with normal museum admission.

Bunny Bolt 5K-10K

The 6th annual event is Saturday April 15 for the whole family, not just the little ones. Held in City Park on N. York St. it features Denver’s only Golden Egg Hunt for adults. As you move along the course if you find the precious golden eggs you win awesome prizes. There’s also a free yoga class plus prizes ranging from race t-shirt to a goody bag and free photo downloads. Bring the kids for the 1K Rabbit Rush, the massive Easter Egg Hunt, face painting, balloon artists and photos with the Easter Bunny.

Rueth Easter Egg Hunt

This event is at the Fleming Mansion located at 1510 S. Grant St. on April 13, noon to 3 p.m. The hunt has treats, face paintings, games, sack races and giveaways. For ages 1 to 5 the egg hunt begins at 2 p.m. while ages 6 and up begin at 2:15 p.m.

Faith Mountain Egg Hunt

Sponsored by Faith Mountain Church this is Lakewood’s largest egg event with 20,000 candy filled eggs to give away. Located at 12344 W. Alameda Pkwy, the event is April 20, 9 to 11 a.m. In addition to the egg hunt there are carnival games, bounce houses and the Easter Bunny.

Dining Delights: Easter is the Thanksgiving of spring annually celebrated with Colorado spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries. Antigone Tsikoudakis, right, and Sonny Balafas check lamb being cooked outside at Denver’s Monaco Inn Restaurant.

Initiative 300: Could Be The Crown Jewel Of The Hancock Era

by Mark Smiley | Feb 25, 2019 | Editorials

Almost every mayor of Denver who has two or more terms in office has some project or initiative that highlights what the individual wanted to accomplish in public office. For Mayor Robert Speer it was Speer Boulevard and the City Beautiful movement. For Mayor Stapleton it was the Mountain Park System and Civic Center Park. In the case of Mayor Wellington Webb, he was justifiably proud of what he was able to accomplish with Confluence Park and Mayor Federico Peña fought tirelessly for Denver International Airport.

But what about Mayor Michael Hancock? He has been able to destroy and/or monetize parks and open space throughout Denver. He has been able to take the 16th Street Mall, the pride and joy of Mayor McNichols, and turn it into a dangerous place at times that reeks of urine and feces emanating from the alley ways. He has been able to destroy or damage neighborhoods throughout the city with ugly high rises built right to the curb. He has driven out African-American families who have been in the city for generations with his gentrification efforts and making affordable housing in the city a thing of the past. He has turned the once beautiful Speer Boulevard into a concrete canyon. Driving about Denver has become a chore almost any time of the day and parking has become scarcer and scarcer. If he and Councilman Albus Brooks have their way they will have defacto legalized heroin/meth use and sales with so-called Safe Injection Sites.

What could represent and highlight these and many other similar achievements by his honor. We suggest Initiative 300 could do the trick. It would alter the municipal code of Denver to provide a right to rest in any public space in Denver and to live in any motor vehicle on any street without being asked to move. It allows for people to eat, share and serve food in public places. It would make it a crime to harass any person exercising these rights and would override any and all laws of Denver or the State of Colorado that are in contradiction of these provisions.

How perfect can you get to represent the ideals and aspirations of the Hancock Administration. This initative would help to destroy the enjoyment of most people in Denver of those parks and open spaces that Mayor Hancock hasn’t already closed or monetized. It would solve the affordable housing crisis since one could live almost anywhere within a tent and drive down home values so that houses would be “more affordable.” These wonderful legal provisions would also apply not only within the boundaries of the City and County of Denver, but also to the Denver Mountain Park system which would not only apply to Red Rocks concerts and Evergreen Golf Course but apparently to Winter Park.

Initiative 300 applies not only to parks and open space but any public space any land owned or leased by the City and County of Denver or any property upon which there is an easement for public use which would include the sidewalk in front of your house and any street median by your home. Asking too loudly for the person camped out in front of your house not to urinate or defecate on your lawn could be deemed a form of harassment subjecting you to arrest.

The only real obstacle to this initative is the fact that high density developers who control the mayor’s office and who want to destroy the city and its parks and open space for their own profit and fun, are opposed. How dare the homeless advocates make the city an undesirable place to live and work when the high-density developers are doing a bang-up job on their own. The flotsam and jetsam over at Colorado Concern, who runs the day-to-day operations of the city along with the mayor’s Chief of Staff Alan Salazar, will put money in to defeat the proposition. Mayor Hancock himself has been strangely silent on the matter afraid to alienate anyone on either side of the issue with his dubious re-election campaign in full swing. But his silence is in part understandable as he is spending a significant part of his time chasing and harassing women down in Atlanta away from prying eyes.

But we as citizens of Denver all owe it to our beloved mayor who we have elected twice (once without any opposition) and who will, in all likelihood, be re-elected for a third term given the enormous war chest he has built up from high-density developers. It is not easy to destroy a once beautiful and very livable city especially when you have money to burn, but Hancock is helping to achieve the same and Initiative 300 could, in fact, be the crown jewel ode to his time of public service.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to attract thousands of drug-addicted street people from across the country to the Mile-High Queen City of the Plains to share our new utopian vision provided by Mayor Hancock. Vote “Yes” on Initiative 300, and help the mayor destroy our once beautiful city.

— Editorial Board