2003 Denver Mayoral Transition
Mayor Hickenlooper stated repeatedly during the election that Denver needs to work with the state and other local municipalities to solve regional problems. The Rocky Mountain News [August 27, 2003, "Hickenlooper reaches out to suburbs"] is reporting that he was reaching out to other metro cities yesterday. From the article, "For example, he said cities should share water stores - in flush years, cities with excess surface water could spread the drops around, allowing cities that depend on groundwater to save their stocks for drought years. And a crack team of area advertising wizards should help metro cities standardize their marketing brochures so they all look similar, he said."
The Denver Post also has an article about the meeting. Says the Post, "But water shortages in Douglas County, for example, that stop new construction are bad for home values and businesses regionwide, he said. Denver must collaborate with its suburbs to lure out-of-state businesses by marketing the region, not just individual cities, Hickenlooper said. Denver's new mayor said he plans to assemble the area's top marketing talent and ask them to volunteer their time to design an advertising campaign that captures the greatness of the metro region."
The Denver Post [August 27, 2003, "Whitman calmly accepts 'mandate'
"] has an article about Gerry Whitman in today's edition. From the article, "Hickenlooper issued several directives to Whitman, including more community policing, reassessing use-of-force policies, streamlining the complaint and disciplinary process, and installing a leadership team that can serve the diverse community needs. Whitman said he'll accomplish them all." The Post [August 27, 2003, "Editorial: Whitman belongs as top cop"] also has an editorial praising Whitman's re-appointment. From the editorial, "Most important, Whitman has shown a willingness to tear down the "blue wall of silence" that so often separates police departments from the communities they serve. This hasn't endeared him to some officers - indeed, the leadership of the Police Protective Association, the union that represents most of Denver's finest, wrote a scathing letter to Hickenlooper, urging him to replace Whitman. In our view, that letter was wide of the mark: Whitman has level-headedness and integrity."
Chief Whitman went to work implementing the directives from the Mayor yesterday according to the Rocky Mountain News [August 27, 2003, "Shake-up possible in Denver cop brass"]. From the article, "Fresh off his reappointment as the city's top cop, Whitman told the department's 23 captains and 59 lieutenants they should submit resumes by Sept. 3 if they are interested in any of the 13 positions at the top of the command structure. Whitman and Manager of Safety Al LaCabe both said the effort is part of a process of making sure they have the best people in the positions - not an indication they necessarily plan to replace anyone." The Rocky [August 27, 2003, "Chief offers olive branch"] is also reporting that Whitman is trying to repair relationships with those officers that do not support his re-appointment.
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