Denver May 2005 Election
Steve Welchart is helping to organize the opposition to the new Justice Center, according to the Denver Post [February 8, 2005, "Anti-jail group plans campaign, says mayor ignoring alternatives"]. From the article, "The group plans to announce its grassroots strategy, including Web- based organizing and fundraising, in the next few days. One of its biggest criticisms: City officials haven't done their homework...Although the Hickenlooper administration has faced little public opposition, critics have now surfaced, alleging city officials have not justified the need for so many new jail beds. In fact, a report from the National Institute of Corrections showed that jail bookings from 1997 to 2004 dropped 33 percent, largely because arrests have decreased and fewer people are jailed for misdemeanors." Where's your weblog?
City Council voted Monday night to add the proposed Justice Center to the May ballot, according to the Rocky Mountain News [February 8, 2005, "Jail plan heads to voters"]. From the article, "The Denver City Council voted unanimously Monday night to send the proposed $378 million justice center to voters in May...The political dominos appeared to fall firmly in place since last week when the board of a powerful neighborhood association in the Golden Triangle - where the center would be built - threw its weight behind the plan. Although the plan had smooth sailing Monday night, it could face rough water on its way to the ballot. The justice center has been sold on the basis that it will not hike taxes. While that is true, it still will cost the average homeowner about $110 a year. Here's how that works: The city plans to pay off justice center bonds with tax money that gets freed up as other capital projects are paid off. So, while the mill levy need not rise because of the justice center, taxes that otherwise would have gone down will stay level. Voters in the ballot booths in May will face unmistakable language: They are approving a tax hike."
Here's the coverage from the Denver Post [February 8, 2005, "Justice center plan clears hurdle"].
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