by Mark Smiley | May 25, 2018 | Travel
City Forces Residents Into Mediation With Developer
by Mark Smiley
In the April 2018 edition, the Chronicle reported on a proposed condominium development called Green Flats that would be located on Holly Street, between Cedar and Alameda, south of the strip of businesses that includes Novo Coffee and Park Burger. The proposed project would have 27 condominium units, 40 uncovered parking spaces in back, a 20-foot setback from Holly street, and stand 35 feet high, seven feet higher than the Park Burger business complex.
On April 4, 2018, the overwhelming pro developer Denver Planning Board (an 11-person board appointed by Mayor Michael Hancock) entertained the application for this three-story condominium project. Residents from the neighborhood filed into the Planning Board meeting to speak in opposition.
All told, 17 people went on the record, some for, but mostly against the project. In a stunning turn of events, the Planning Board voted to deny the application finding that the “applicable review criteria have not been met.” The vote cast had six in favor, one opposed, and one abstention.
Residents who opposed this project had little time to celebrate . . . Most cities in Colorado prevent a similar proposal from being considered for at least a year, but not Denver. Instead the city forces the successful residents into immediate mediation with the developer with the city choosing a mediator who some claim leans toward being pro developer.
“The city is really pushing to have this developed,” said Denver realtor Denice Reich. “They are trading affordable housing for the myth replacement of affordable housing.”
Since the April 4 Planning Board meeting, the developer Jason Lewiston, president of Greenius LLC and the applicant representing the homeowners seeking the sale of their property Anna Dewitt, have submitted a revised application.
They are asking that all three parcels receive the same Urban Edge multi-unit 2.5 story designation that the current condos have only “with waivers.” The new application doesn’t include new plans, but now says there will be 25 units instead of 27. It is suspected by some opponents that the Planning Board’s staff recommended the amended application indicating it might be something the City Council finds acceptable. Critics charge that there is virtually no development the city doesn’t find acceptable.
The “mediation” was held on May 7, 2018, at Augustana Lutheran Church. According to some of the 24 attendees the mediator’s only task appeared to be to get a development that Lewiston would approve. The mediator made a list of questions and three residents were chosen to sit down with the developer and the applicants at a later date.
If you wish to follow what’s happening in this rapidly developing story, visit www. glendalecherrycreek.com or follow the Chronicle on Twitter, Facebook at @GCCChronicle.
Plan Denied: The initial proposed site development for a 27-unit condominium project on Holly Street was denied by the Denver Planning Board on April 4. On May 7, the city forced a pro developer on residents opposing the project.
Leading The Opposition: Denver Realtor Denice Reich has been opposed to the development on Holly Street stating that “they are trading affordable housing for the myth replacement of affordable housing.”
by Mark Smiley | May 25, 2018 | Editorials
The Colorado primary season will come to a dramatic conclusion on the evening of June 26, 2018. It has already been a topsy turvy primary season. The leading Republican candidate for governor, Walker Stapleton, had to abandon his petition drive after already submitting his petitions to the Secretary of State for fear that a large number of the signatures would be thrown out for using unqualified petition gatherers. Instead he went the Assembly route and only beat second place fi
Kent Thiry
nisher Greg Lopez, whose only claim to fame was being the young Mayor of Parker 30 years ago, by less than 10 points. Lopez was virtually an unknown individual at the beginning of the process. Lopez does not have any personal wealth and raised little or no money prior to the State Assembly, but he traveled all 64 counties of Colorado and gave a rousing speech at the Assembly.
In addition, six-term Congressman Doug Lamborn of El Paso County was thrown off the ballot by the Colorado Supreme Court for ineligible petition gatherers, only to have that decision overturned by Federal District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer.
Karen Kataline
On the Democratic side the three gubernatorial candidates — Jared Polis, Cary Kennedy and Mike Johnston — have raised and/or personally contributed record breaking amounts of money for their campaigns. Johnston hit a fountain of cash from anti-gun Bloomberg groups while Kennedy is being generously funded by Colorado’s public employee unions. Polis is perhaps the richest man ever to run for Colorado governor and is strongly backed by Bernie Sanders progressives.
The Democratic National Congressional Committee (DNCC) has recruited moderate “blue dog” candidates across the country in an attempt to win back the House from the Republicans. The DNCC has even run smear campaigns in Texas and other states against Bernie Sanders progressives in favor of their establishment candidates. In Colorado, progressive Levi Tillemann, a candidate for the Sixth Congressional District now held by Republican Mike Coffman, recorded Steny Hoyer, the second in command for Congressional Democrats, demanding he withdraw his candidacy in favor of DNCC candidate Jason Crowe, a lawyer who doesn’t even live in District Six.
But all of that brouhaha will be nothing compared to election night when who will take the primaries for the respective parties is absolutely unknown. This conundrum is due to three factors. First is Proposition 108, approved by the voters by a close margin in 2016. It provides that unaffiliated voters will get both a Democratic and a Republican ballot and they can choose one or the other. Prop 108 was the brainchild of disreputable and sleazy businessman Kent Thiry who spent millions to get it passed and desperately wanted to be Colorado’s governor in 2018. Thiry knows that the Democratic Party wanted nothing to do with him but he had calculated that a highly diluted Republican Party, with the help of unaffiliated voters, could be persuaded to make him its candidate if he spent enough money. Unfortunately, the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry. Thiry’s cutthroat and unprincipled business tactics in running DaVita, a kidney dialysis company, were devastatingly exposed by television comedian John Oliver in a segment of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” on HBO.
While Thiry’s political ambitions lay in tatters at least for 2018, the state’s voters are left with Proposition 108. Its intent was to allow middle of the road moderates, particularly Republicans, to prevail in primaries. Will it have that effect, no one knows. It will allow one party to play in the other’s primary. On the Republican side so-called “strategic voting” has become all the rage for the upcoming primary. Operation Chaos Colorado has been promoted by radio show host Karen Kataline who is urging Republicans to unaffiliate, get both ballots and vote for the weakest Democratic candidates. For example, most Republican strategists believe Jared Polis would be a far weaker candidate than Cary Kennedy in the day of the #MeToo Movement. Kataline points out that the Democrats have been playing this game for a long time, as demonstrated by the financial and other support that Democrats gave to Dan Maes in 2010, over a much more electable Scott McInnis.
Prop 108, in combination with the all mail-in ballot election, makes it almost impossible to determine who will vote and in what primary. Moreover, establishment candidates of both parties once had an enormous advantage due to the fact that The Denver Post seldom promoted or even covered lesser known candidates. The slow demise of The Denver Post, which no longer even has an editorial opinion writer, means that the lesser known candidates may have a greater chance of winning than ever before.
So get the popcorn out and watch the results roll in on the night of June 26. There may be some amazing upsets.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 27, 2018 | General Featured
by Glen Richardson
Veteran Newsman: Award-winning broadcaster Steffan Tubbs joined the lineup on Newstalk 710 KNUS radio this year.
Popular radio newsman Steffan Tubbs who anchored 850 KOA’s Colorado Morning Show for over a decade has joined 710 KNUS after the most challenging period of his life. Tubbs texted a highly confrontational girlfriend while intoxicated. She had previously been arrested for harassing him. She turned over the text messages to the Denver Police and he was arrested on July 30, 2017. He was charged with “domestic violence” by telephone with the legal authorities declaring that he used “vulgar language with the intent to annoy the victim.” He spent 36 hours behind bars until finally being brought before a judge.
His arrest photo led the evening news on FOX 31 News and he watched his life fall apart. He was suspended by KOA Radio and he saw friends and business acquaintances disappear. He credited his legal counsel with standing up for him when almost nobody other than his family, particularly his children, were willing to do so. All charges were dropped by the Denver District Attorney in October 2017. Notwithstanding the dismissal, KOA refused to rehire him and he found no one willing to give him an opportunity.
That was until 710 KNUS morning host Peter Boyles had him fill in for him and went to bat for him at the station. When Dan Caplis the evening drivetime host at the station retired to spend more time with his family and his highly successful law practice, Tubbs applied for the job.
He is now: “A longtime newsman, now with an opinion….” That’s the introduction you hear on Newstalk 710 KNUS radio at 4 p.m. every Monday through Friday as the veteran broadcaster begins his program. The “Steffan Tubbs Show” is on weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
“I thought I’d had dream jobs before,” Tubbs says. “But I’m absolutely loving my new position at 710 KNUS. I’m truly blessed. After 30 years as a newsman, I’m in a learning phase of how to incorporate news with talk. I value the opinions of o
Advocate For Veterans: Steffan Tubbs is a strong advocate for veterans. He was an embedded journalist with American troops in Iraq on several occasions. Here, he is pictured with U.S. Army WWII veteran Bill Brunger.
thers and even if we disagree I think we can have productive dialogue in a civil way.”
Tubbs has 30 years of news experience. He spent more than six years as a national correspondent with ABC News based in Los Angeles, and then moved to the other coast where he worked as a reporter and anchor for FOX5-TV in New York City. Tubbs says he returned to Denver in 2005 and for the next 12 years hosted the morning drive news program on KOA NewsRadio.
Tubbs has covered some of the most important stories not just in Colorado, but also throughout the country and the world. “I reported on the Oklahoma City bombings and subsequent trials, Columbine and 9/11,” Tubbs says. “As well as every type of natural disaster including fires and hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, drought and tornadoes.”
Tubbs’ broadcasting experience expands into sports as well. He reported on multiple Super Bowls, World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup finals and even the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. His numerous awards are a testament to the quality of his work. Tubbs is a four-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for national reporting, he’s received several Colorado Broadcasters Association awards and has twice been named best radio personality in Denver.
Tubbs also has a documentary film company where he says he funnels his passion for real, honest storytelling. His films focus on military men and women, who he proudly supports.
Tubbs says, “I end my show every day by reminding us the remember our troops.”
Drive Time: The Steffan Tubbs Show can be heard Monday through Friday from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. on Newstalk 710 KNUS radio.
The Steffan Tubbs Show launched in February of this year in the crucial afternoon drive time slot on Newstalk 710 KNUS. Tubbs says, “I am blessed and truly love what I’m doing in this new chapter of my career with 710 KNUS.”
His show rounds out the other top-rated programs including the Peter Boyles Show from 5 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and the Chuck Bonniwell and Julie Hayden Show weekdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Newstalk 710KNUS has led the coverage of the Denver Mayor Michael Hancock scandal and Tubbs says, “I think the Hancock scandal is a perfect example of how real news can be combined with the comments and questions of our audience.”
Tubbs adds, “I know we’re not reinventing the wheel with yet another new talk show but that said — I really think we have a unique opportunity to do a news program that integrates callers and opinion.”
A proud dad of two teenage boys, Tubbs notes he is very engaged on social media and loves to tweet and use Facebook posts before, during and after the show. You can follow the show’s Twitter @TubbsShow or @SWTubbs as well as The Steffan Tubbs Show on Facebook.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 27, 2018 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Glendale Raptors Lock Ben Landry powers through the Austin Elite defense as he aims to score a try with back row player Connor Cook in support. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Under cloudy skies and with intermittent rain and snow, the Glendale Raptors hosted Austin Elite Rugby at Infinity Park for both teams’ inaugural professional match on Saturday. The typically fickle spring weather in Colorado didn’t dampen the spirits of either team, with both displaying the high-level competition and poise that will be a mainstay of professional rugby in the United States. With temps in the high 30s throughout the first half, the inaugural season of professional rugby got underway. The season-opening game of the week, Saturday’s match was broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.
The Raptors Fan Zone, a tailgate-style party that begins two hours before kickoff, was also full and swinging despite the weather. The first thousand fans through the doors even received a free gift. Those in attendance had to split their time between a number of popular activities: the young and young-at-heart had their faces painted and got temporary Raptors tattoos, as well as enjoying trying their hand at the rugby toss game.
Fans of all ages looked on in wonder at the real birds of prey brought by special guests HawkQuest to further the Raptor-themed activities, interacting with eagles, hawks, and owls at close range. A highlight of their visit was the outstretched and nearly six-foot wingspan of a mature bald eagle, spread gracefully during the National Anthem. A professional photo booth also meant that fans could memorialize the historic day.
A young rugby supporter enjoyed face painting during the pre-game Fan Zone at Infinity Park before kick off of Major League Rugby between the Glendale Raptors and Austin Elite. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Boggy Draw Brewery’s tent was a popular stop as well, fans enjoying the local craft suds while washing down empanadas from Lazo Foods and wraps from the California Wrap Runner food truck. With the Raptors official sports performance partner Arcanum on scene to share their unique product line, and DJ RIPM spinning tunes, the excitement for kickoff began to build.
In the opening moments of the match two Raptors players were shaken up, a portent of the hard, aggressive play that would characterize the day. Austin was issued a yellow card 10 minutes in, but the Glendale side was unable to capitalize on the advantage. The Texas side drew first blood, touching down for five points 14 minutes in, and converting to take an early 7-0 lead: the points would prove the only ones Austin would put up in the opening half. Raptors flyhalf Will Magie converted a penalty attempt 21 minutes in to cut into the Austin lead. Plenty of penalties were seen throughout the day, as the two teams felt out their debut on the professional stage. Austin made its own penalty attempt at 30 minutes in, but was unable to convert.
The Fan Zone wasn’t the only place jumping for the Raptors home opener. The team’s VIP area was completely sold out, packed with longtime fans, members of the Raptors owners group, and anyone looking for Infinity Park’s royal treatment. The Raptors media room was also full, the season opener for Major League Rugby having attracted local and regional news personnel by the dozens, including longtime Denver news anchor and local celebrity Tom Green. The team’s new mascot, Rudi the Raptor, seemed to pop up all o
Glendale Raptors back row player John Quill takes the ball into contact against Austin Elite during opening day for Major League Rugby on April 21, 2018 at Infinity Park. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
ver Infinity Park on Saturday: dancing in the stands, giving high fives, patrolling the Fan Zone, and posing for photos. The O’Brien Rugby Shopping Maul was also packed to the rafters, with official Raptors merchandise flying off the shelves and into the waiting arms of excited fans, new and old.
Glendale responded to the initial Austin try in the 32nd minute, with a try of their own by back row Connor Cook — the conversion after by Will Magie seeming to give the Colorado squad new life. Rallying powerfully late in the first half, Raptor back row John Quill found the try zone at 37 minutes, converted again by Will Magie to increase the Glendale lead. Raptors Head Coach David Williams noted that the team seemed to gain momentum as the game progressed: “Once we gained some pressure through multi-phase attack and created opportunities, we did well. We let ourselves down a bit in the first half, giving Austin the ball back in easy territory.” Playing into injury time, veteran Raptors lock Ben Landry touched down for more points in the 41st minute. Magie went into the break perfect on kick attempts, giving the Raptors a 24-7 advantage at the break.
Official Raptors sponsors attended the game en masse, enjoying the atmosphere of the team’s professional debut. Official credit union Westerra had representatives on site, encouraging fans to open a Raptors VISA card the next time they stop by a branch, as were ambassadors for the team’s official hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites. Not just in the Fan Zone, Arcanum Sports Performance stayed on to watch the Raptors do battle with Austin as well, informing curious fans about their line of products. One of the team’s newest sponsor partners, historied distiller Tullamore Dew, hosted a tasting station where VIPs could sample their blended Irish whiskey.
The Raptors looked in form entering the second half, with fullback Maximo de Achaval touching down a try four minutes in. Magie converted to put the team up 31-7. Glendale’s Harley Davidson, who plays both winger and fullback, found the try zone again at 47 minutes, and with the successful conversion, further extended the Raptors lead. A minute later, the Raptors would lose Ben Landry for the remainder of the match, as he was red carded for a dangerous tackle. Austin capitalized on the penalty, finding the try zone at 52 minutes and converting to cut into the Glendale lead. The Texas team would put more points up at 59 minutes, converting to bring the match within striking distance.
A missed penalty kick by Will Magie in the 64th minute kept things even, and a flurry of penalties in the minutes that followed saw Austin again knocking on the door. The rough and tumble match again came to a head 72 minutes in, when Raptor Connor Cook was red carded for a tackle the ref deemed too dangerous. A yellow card on Raptor prop Kelepi Fifita just two minutes later would further Austin’s numbers advantage, meaning the Glendale side would finish the match three men down. Austin touched down for five in the 75th minute, but missed the conversion, bringing the score to 38-26 in Glendale’s favor. With time quickly running out, the Raptors secured victory off the foot of Will Magie. Burning precious seconds, Magie converted a penalty attempt to push the
The Glendale Raptors secure possession at a lineout in front of their home crowd at Infinity Park against Austin Elite Rugby during the opening Major League Rugby match. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Raptors advantage to 41-26 in the 80th minute, sealing the team’s first professional win.
Raptors Assistant Coach Ted Browner was happy with the victory: “It was great to get the win. Austin brought the physicality and that was a great wake up call for us. We’re all excited about the remaining season.”
Raptors Head Coach David Williams was also glad to secure the early season win, though acknowledged that conditions were not ideal: “Weather was an issue and both teams had to play to the conditions,” he said. “Once we stuck to our game plan and forced Austin to kick the ball back to us, we gained some momentum and turned it into points.” John Quill was named Man of the Match, the veteran back row man looking composed in his first professional Major League Rugby match. A longtime Raptor, Quill holds 25 USA Eagles caps. The Raptors second game of the regular season will see the team on the road, traveling to Seattle to take on the Seawolves in a sold-out Starfire Stadium on April 28 at 8:30 p.m. Mountain Time. The match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
Throughout the inaugural MLR season, CBSSN will broadcast the game of the week, with AT&T Sports or Cox Communications broadcasting non-game of the week matches along with ESPN+. Check out the complete regular season schedule, and purchase tickets to the rest of the home matches at Infinity Park. Be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 27, 2018 | Travel
Scholarships Will Help Fund YMCA Summer Camp Programming
by Mark Smiley
Finding high-quality, affordable childcare can be a challenge for any family. Every year, the YMCA of Metro Denver serves more than 2,700 children in summer day camps as a leading child services provider. By offering scholarships to those in need, parents have found a safe, nurturing environment without the high price tag.
In 2017, the YMCA distributed over $750,000 in scholarships across the metro area. This year in Glendale alone, the YMCA estimates they will award $30,000 in scholarships for child care at the Glendale Sports Center. For one working father, these scholarships have been invaluable to his family.
“The Y offers a helping hand when you need it,” said Jdell Garner, father to 9-year-old Rosa Garner, who attends YMCA summer camp and after school programming at the Glendale Sports Center. “The extra funding has been a blessing. Without them doing that, Rosa wouldn’t be here.”
YMCA summer camps feature field trips, fun physical activities and educational weekly themes which allow kids to learn, play and thrive in a secure environment. Rosa Garner said, “I look forward to being here and I feel safe at the YMCA.”
Since enrolling Rosa in childcare at the Y nearly five years ago, Garner has noticed a change in her character. He said, “Rosa is learning how to be a leader and a young adult when she’s at the YMCA. She interacts with supervisors, stays organized and welcomes new kids.
He continued, “It’s a very uplifting experience to have her here. She normally comes home very happy and as long as she’s happy, I’m happy.”
The YMCA is recognized as a leader in childcare not only for the safe environment but the imaginative activities that nurture a child’s spirit, challenge their minds and strengthen their bodies. There is also a strong sense that anyone and everyone is welcome and respected.
“The YMCA of Metro Denver believes everyone should have the opportunity to participate in YMCA membership and programs regardless of their ability to pay,” said Nicole Limoges, Executive Director of the YMCA Sports Branch and Glendale Sports Center at Infinity Park. “Luckily, we are able to provide the amount of financial assistance we do because of the generosity of our donors.”
The YMCA of Metro Denver manages the Glendale Sports Center, a state-of-the-art fitness facility featuring programs that support physical, intellectual and spiritual strength. Glendale summer camp scholarships go quickly each year. Limoges recommends applying for 2019 programming in early February. For more information on child care at the Glendale Sports Center managed by the YMCA, visit www.denver ymca.org/glendale/child-care-day-camps.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 27, 2018 | Editorials
The most recent scandals of Mayor Michael Hancock involving his sexual harassment of Police Detective Leslie Branch-Wise and the payoffs to hide his actions with taxpayer funds, have raised the uncomfortable question of exactly what function does the 13-member City Council actually serve?
The City Council costs Denver taxpayers millions every year. The individual Council members annually make $91,197 with City Council President bringing in $102,197. They recently gave themselves a 10.3% raise to be phased in. In addition, they have a plethora of generous government perks and benefits. Each has his or her own paid assistant as well as a generous allowance for an office. But that is just the tip of the iceberg with an entire staff for the City Council as a whole, travel benefits and the list goes on and on.
What do we the citizens get for all that money? It appears to be virtually nothing. The City Council simply rubber-stamps almost every high-density development brought before them from the Community Planning and Development Department, notwithstanding the pleas and howls of residents from across the city.
Yes, we have a so-called “strong mayor” form of government in Denver but it is not technically yet a dictatorship, although a majority of the City Council seem to treat it as such. While claiming that the City Charter gives them little power, the Council a few years back gave up its role in overseeing the parks and open space in the City and County of Denver. As a result, the Mayor has destroyed or monetized park after park from City Park to Hentzell Park to Overland Park and on and on.
In theory, under the City Charter the City Council appropriates all money to run the city, passes or changes laws and investigates wrong doing by various city officials. In fact, it performs none of those functions. The mayor prepares the budget and doles out small favors to individual council members in return for passing the budget and then rubberstamps all expenditures thereafter. No meaningful legislation has been passed for years other than changing the zoning laws to make them ever friendlier to high density developers.
The joke of the investigative powers of the City Council were on full display regarding Detective Leslie Branch-Wise. Councilman Rafael Espinoza wrote a confidential letter demanding an investigation into the sexual harassment by the mayor, which was leaked to the press. The City Council first declined to investigate saying they didn’t want to re-victimize Ms. Wise-Branch. When Branch-Wise in fact demanded that they investigate and have open hearings they then stated that the City Attorney, who is controlled by the mayor, told them they can’t. Well that was easy.
In the last City Council election in 2015 we strongly endorsed Wayne New, Paul Kashmann and Rafael Espinoza. Each of them overcame long odds and all of the money of lobbyists and high-density developers and pulled upset victories. Each of them has regularly voted against the worst of the high-density developments and the destruction of open space and parks.
They are, of course, a minority of three in a 13-person council. But it is not sufficient to simply be the “vote of the people” but they needed to be the “voice of the people” and in that regard they have abysmally failed. Given their mild if not meek personalities they raise not one peep about the destruction of the city and the quality of life for its citizens. There is no public opposition in the public arena by any of them to any of the worst of the worst of the mayor’s and his administration’s actions.
Of course, while we have a strong mayor form of government, Mayor Hancock is anything but a “strong mayor” and in fact he is a total “empty suit” or more accurately an “empty workout outfit.”
Perhaps we should amend the City Charter and convert the government to one run by a High Commission. One person would be designated to it by the Brownstein Law Firm, one from the lobbying firm of CRL Associates, two from the crony capitalist executives comprising Colorado Concern with the High Commission rounded out with three high density developers. That way at least when Denver citizens petition the Denver government to address their grievances they are talking to people who could actually get something done. We would finally have that “open, honest and transparent” Denver government that Mayor Hancock spouts off about ad nauseum.
In the meantime, the 13 City Council members will continue to draw their soon to be six figure salaries while doing absolutely nothing other than ignoring the voices of citizens who still bother to go to City Council meetings having not yet heard that they are talking to little more than cardboard figures placed behind a large dais in the ornate Denver City Council Chambers. The High Commission form of government comprised of the real powers to be in Denver sounds reasonable in comparison and would be a lot less expensive for all involved.
— Editorial Board
