Thursday, November 6, 2003

Denver November 2003 Election Here's a story about Referendum A supporters, the day after the water proposal was defeated, from the Rocky Mountain News [November 6, 2003, "Water referendum leader pours heart out"]. From the article, "Referendum A, with strong support from Gov. Bill Owens, was touted as a way for Colorado to save water that now goes unused to other states, including California, Arizona and Nevada. But opponents - Western Slope interests, environmentalists and others, including Attorney General Ken Salazar and Republican Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo. - argued it was a blank check to build unknown projects with unknown impacts." Here's a story about Referendum A and it's defeat from the Denver Post [November 6, 2003, "Ref. A defeat could prove a victory"]. From the article, "The defeat of a statewide water bond issue Tuesday could ironically prove to be a victory for the supporters of water storage, activists on both sides said Wednesday." Attorney General, Ken Salazar, banked some new political capital at Governor Owens' expense, according to the Denver Post [November 6, 2003, "Salazar gains in Ref. A rout"]. Denver Public Schools officials were celebrating the passage of 3A and 3B on Wednesday, according to the Rocky Mountain News [November 6, 2003, "Votes please educators"]. The Denver Post editorial staff weighs in on Tuesday's school issues [November 6, 2003, "Schools score at polls"]. Here's a editorial about Tuesday's election from the Rocky Mountain News [November 5, 2003, "The voters' verdict: No, no, no"]. Mike Littwin voted for Initiative 101 on Tuesday and admits it in his column from yesterday's Rocky [November 5, 2003, "Littwin: This Election Day, peace had no chance"]. Says Littwin, "Maybe that's why so many voted for Initiative 101. It was fun in a time when we need a little fun. It was a goof in a time when, well, it feels good to be just a little goofy. The headline may say that the peace initiative was beaten - and, no, I checked, that doesn't mean we voted for war - but my headline is that one third of Denver voters went for for an initiative that 99 percent of the voters thought was just a hoot. This gives me some hope. There is increasing evidence that Denver has a sense of humor. That may not be good news for politicians - other than John Hickenlooper, who, incidentally, was a winner Tuesday in his personnel system overhaul. But it's great for those of us who write about them. Let's be honest. Everyone voting for Initiative 101 knew the risk, which included the inevitable Ravi Shankar Music, Peace and Whatever-Happened-to-Bangladesh Festival." 6:09:42 AM

Denver Charter Changes for the November 2003 Ballot The group Friends of Denver Municipal Service filed a lawsuit on Wednesday hoping to overturn Referred Question 1A, according to the Rocky Mountain News [November 6, 2003, "City workers group sues to block overhaul of pay"]. From the article, "Friends of Denver Municipal Service filed the lawsuit in federal court. The group wants a temporary injunction to block the planned changes. The lawsuit names Hickenlooper, all 13 City Council members and the city and county of Denver as defendants. The ballot measure - 1A - strips the Career Service Authority system out of the City Charter, transforming it into an ordinance, which can be more easily be amended to save money during tough economic times. The change also gives the City Council more flexibility and sole discretion in setting salaries and benefits and allows incentives for workers." Well now, this is interesting. Here's the coverage from the Denver Post [November 6, 2003, "Unhappy city workers file suit"]. From the article, "Hickenlooper hopes to create an incentive system that will reward productive workers with bonuses. Such a system wasn't possible under the existing charter rules for setting pay. Hickenlooper also contended that rising salary costs were adding to the city's financial burdens. The emotions of city workers on the day after the vote ranged from rage to stoic. Several listeners called a local radio station to vent their frustration anonymously at the Hickenlooper-backed change to the pay system. Last month, David Bufalo, deputy manager of public works, sported a button against the charter change while he escorted City Council members on a tour of the Colorado Convention Center's construction zone. On Wednesday, Bufalo, without his button, said he accepted the vote. 'I work for the citizens,' he said. 'The citizens have spoken.'" Here's a editorial from the Denver Post about Referred Question 1A [November 6, 2003, "Mayor's first victory"]. From the editorial, "Now it's up to Hickenlooper and company to ensure that a fair system is created, where employees are valued and political patronage is non-existent. The old system made it illegal to give bonuses to employees who found ways to save the city money. Everyone knew that didn't make any sense. Now managers will be able to reward employees who work more effeciently and streamline government. The days of everyone getting the same raise, regardless of work ethic or success on the job, are over. Handsome rewards for top employees will speak volumes to those city workers still edgy about the changes. This campaign caused some employees to feel like they weren't valued. It's important that Hickenlooper begin to heal old wounds by being responsive to what city workers would like to see in the new rules. It was Denver's system, not the majority of its workers, that wasn't working. 5:52:35 AM

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