Here's a look at Denver City Council District 7 and the candidates hoping to replace Kathleen MacKenzie, from the Rocky Mountain News. From the article, "Split down the center by the South Platte River, District 7's divisions are not just geographical. The east side of the south-central Denver district, which includes West Washington Park and Platt Park, is relatively prosperous. It has become a magnet for developers who are razing homes to make room for bigger, more expensive dwellings, often to neighbors' annoyance. Residents tend to be more affluent, more educated and more vocal in government matters. On the other side of the river, though, life is much different. People there are grappling with quality-of-life issues, from graffiti to people defecating in alleys. The area also has attracted an immigrant population, partly because there are more rental units and housing is cheaper. Neighborhoods include Overland, College View and a sliver of Valverde, which are among the city's most crime-plagued areas...
"'I see infill development as two sides of the same coin,' said Julie Connor, who has been MacKenzie's aide for three years. 'Whatever I can do to facilitate and provide incentives for development to move west, that's all part of the same goal.' Connor said she'd like to see more public investment in the west side, starting with Ruby Hill Park, which offers unobstructed views of the city but has turned into a haven for deviant behavior. The city had to close the park to vehicle traffic on Sundays because of rowdy cruisers and off-roaders tearing up the turf...
"Shelly Watters, who has been a council aide for about seven years to two council members, said she would work with the Mayor's Office of Economic Development to come up with a plan to attract businesses in target areas...
"Chris Nevitt, a political economist, said he's already proved he can deliver economic opportunities to west-side residents. As executive director of the Front Range Economic Strategy Center, Nevitt said he helped secure jobs as well as affordable housing in the redevelopment of the former Gates Rubber Co. site...
"The fourth candidate, Dennis Smith, a teacher at South High School and the only Republican in the nonpartisan race, said the development in the east side is 'a nice problem to have.'"
Colorado Confidential: "Colorado Confidential continues our series of video interviews of candidates for Denver citywide office. Today we bring you a discussion with Julie Connor, candidate in District 7, one of the most competitive races for a city council seat."
Category: Denver May 2007 Election
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