Coyote Gulch

Thursday, August 21, 2003

2004 Presidential Election
Joe Konason: "our country needs full, fair, and uninhibited debate that encourages participation -- not a loud, monotonous drone that breeds apathetic surrender. " Salon is a paid service but you can get a day pass by agreeing to watch some adware.
6:23:40 PM

2003 Denver Mayoral Transition
Mayor Hickenlooper announced via e-mail to city employees three new appointments today. From the e-mail:
"Mayor John Hickenlooper held a news conference in his office Thursday to announce his appointees for Deputy Director of Economic Development, Director of Contract Compliance, and Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development Services. These three individuals, as well as previously announced Director of Workforce Development Cec Ortiz, will report to previously announced Director of Economic Development John Huggins who will lead Hickenlooper's newly restructured, cabinet-rank Office of Economic Development." Myrna Hipp was named Deputy Director of Economic Development, Tamela Lee, Director of Contract Compliance, and Jacqueline Morales-Ferrand, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development Services.
6:09:45 PM

November 2003 Ballot
The Colorado Water Congress wants to see Referendum A passed according to the Denver Post [August 21, 2003, "Water congress endorses bond plan"]. From the article, "The Colorado Water Congress board of directors on Wednesday night voted to endorse Referendum A, a $2 billon bonding measure that would enable water districts, municipalities and the private sector to fund water development by issuing bonds."
Denver is making the headlines around the world for Jeff Peckman's ballot initiative to promote Safety Through Peace according to the Denver Post [August 21, 2003, "Stress vote has 'em talking"]. From the article, "Actually, Jeff Peckman, 49, is a softspoken sort, a devotee of transcendental meditation, sitar music and healthy eating, his own best advertisement for the benefits of a low-stress existence. Even after two solid weeks of telephone calls from national media at best skeptical and at worst snide, Peckman sounds only a little bit plaintive as he defends his proposal for the umpteenth time." The more Charlie Brown rails against the initiative the more I hope it passes in November. Westword's Off Limits weighs in with some commentary on the initiative.
6:17:04 AM

2003 Denver Mayoral Transition
It seems that the Police Union has decided to leverage their relationship with the General Fund and traffic tickets to thwart the re-appointment of Gerry Whitman as Police Chief according to the Rocky Mountain News [August 21, 2003, "Denver cop union slams chief"]. From the article, "Denver police won't write tickets to help the city's coffers as long as Gerry Whitman is leading the department, the union implies in a letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper's transition committee." Here's the text of the letter from the Rocky [August 21, 2003, "Text of the Denver Police Protective Association's letter"].
6:10:41 AM

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