Author : Lakewood News from Karen

From Geek Nexus As election season approaches, neighborhoods across America are transforming in more ways than just the changing colors of fall. Yards are blossoming with red, blue, and everything in between, as homeowners proudly display campaign signs, turning their lawns into political statements. This colorful display, however, isn’t just a form of expression – it’s sparking debates and, in some cases, irritation among neighbors… The upcoming elections will shape the political landscape for years to come, so it’s no surprise that some Americans want to make their views visible. But while political yard signs are an essential part of the democratic process for many, not everyone appreciates them. To find out where these signs are causing the most contention, Geek Nexus surveyed 3,000 homeowners, ranking 175 cities based on the level of irritation sparked by neighborhood yard signs. In a ranking of the top 10 cities most aggravated by political signs, Fort Lauderdale, FL, topped the list, followed by Little Rock, AR, and Pasadena, CA. When it comes to Colorado, residents of five cities emerged among the most irritated when their neighbors decide to erect political yard signs in their front yards: Arvada (which ranked in #91st place nationally), Aurora (#118), Lakewood (#140), Thornton (#142), and Denver (#151). While Colorado may not be a battleground state, it seems residents of these cities would prefer if their neighbors kept their political views a bit more private – at least when it comes to yard signs. Whether it’s a disagreement over political beliefs or simply the cluttered look of campaign slogans across the neighborhood, many locals would likely agree that a little less lawn politics could go a long way in maintaining good neighborly relations. Interestingly, the list also includes two cities in ‘swing’ states: Surprise, AZ, and Ann Arbor, MI. Here are the top 10 cities most frustrated by political yard signs: 1. Fort Lauderdale, FL2. Little Rock, AR3. Pasadena, CA4. West Palm Beach, FL5. Portland, ME6. Omaha, NE7. Surprise, AZ8. El Paso, TX9. Ann Arbor, MI10. Salt Lake City, UT Infographic showing complete city ranking Beyond the rankings, Geek Nexus’s survey revealed some interesting insights into Coloradans’ attitudes toward political yard signs. For example, 60% of respondents said they knew their neighbors’ political leanings, while 40% weren’t sure or preferred not to know. As for the actual influence of yard signs, opinion was split: 46% of people think these signs can sway voters, while 54% believe they’re just lawn ornaments with no real effect on election results. Most respondents agreed that political yard signs should have their season, with 76% supporting the idea that signs should only be displayed during specific times of the year, like the lead-up to an election. And while only a small group (24%) admitted they’d consider removing a neighbor’s sign if they disagreed with it, the majority (76%) were clear that they’d rather not cross that line. Then there’s the matter of legality: 58% of people were unaware of laws regulating the display of political yard signs. And it’s not just the signs that cause tension – yard aesthetics, in general, can be a source of neighborly friction. In fact, 34% of homeowners admitted to having clashed with a neighbor over property appearance in the past. “Yard signs are a way for people to express their beliefs, but they can also create tension, especially during an election,” says Jake Valentine of Geek Nexus. “What we’re seeing is that something as small as a lawn sign can have a big impact on neighborhood dynamics. It speaks to the importance of balancing personal expression with community harmony, especially in a time as charged as election season.”

From Save Belmar Park For years, the property at 777 S Yarrow Street has been under-taxed.   Yes, that is the same location as the proposed Belmar Park West housing project. Jeffco has finally rescinded the special deal or whatever it was. It had been going on possibly for decades!  There is more to the story. Details at:  https://savebelmarpark.com/jeffco-tax-deal/

Cross-post from Lakewood.org Lakewood-Wadsworth Station apartment building October 2024 updateCanyon Partners Real Estate and DeBartolo Development have formed a partnership to acquire and complete the apartment complex at 1221 and 1225 Wadsworth Blvd. Once the acquisition process is completed, the partnership is expected to restart construction of the project in 2025. The new partnership has no ties to the original borrower or developer and is bringing fresh capital and a new team to the project including a locally based general contractor. In early 2024, construction of the property was paused as the then-developer encountered financial-related challenges. The project was not halted by the City of Lakewood, and the project is not out of compliance with its permit at this time. Read more…

Lakewood Chief of Police Philip Smith with be the guest speaker at October’s Ward 4 meeting, Wednesday, October 16, 2024. 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM, October 16 Lutheran Church of the Master, 14099 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood, CO, 80228 View Map Ward 4 meetings always include Q&A about a broad range of topics. All city residents are welcome.

A line item for an $800,000 expenditure was added to the 2024 budget to fix the lights on RTD’s bridge, apparently at the request of Council Member Shahrezaei, in defiance of normal council procedures. At the time in 2023, the official explanation was that the expenditure originated from the Public Works department. As explained in Lakewood Informer news, the only communications Lakewood disclosed were between Councilor Shahrezaei and RTD, not city staff. Individual Council Members are prohibited from directing city staff in any action, including adding items to the budget. A councilor must request a study session and get permission from the rest of Council before staff take any action. So how did these bridge lights make it into the budget? The bridge does not even belong to Lakewood. During the 2025 budget discussions, city staff are not so willing to claim they originated this item. Now, the city staff explain that the item is in the budget due to Ward 1 Councilors, not staff. The only Councilor that spanned both years is Councilor Shahrezaei. (Note: the 2024 budget was passed in Oct, 2023) Shahrezaei explained that the bridge lights were approved last year, as if that answered all questions. She failed to explain that the expense could still be removed today, before approving the 2025 budget. She also failed to explain how she got the item in the budget in the first place. Shahrezaei worked with RTD representatives through the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). She is the only one with communications about the bridge through CORA requests. Lakewood does not own the bridge in question – RTD does. Lakewood has no obligation to take on any of this expense for an architechtural enhancement. As Shahrezaei explained in 2024 (video minute marker 58:00), she feels the lights contribute to placemaking, which is important to the city. “In our comp[rehensive] plan and our goal setting, placemaking is important and I know that there are other things that we have to consider for our community, placemaking is one of the things that we’ve all shown priority for … which is why this is a carryover and part of the revised budget, but this isn’t part of the 2025 budget.” – Councilor Shahrezaei “Placemaking” is not a discrete or defined goal of Lakewood City Council. Correction 10/14/24: The newly unveiled Comprehensive Plan defines Creative Placemaking:  “Tell Lakewood’s story and enhance community identity, health, and quality of life through community-based initiatives throughout the city that celebrate local culture, foster social cohesion, promote economic vitality, and activate Lakewood’s public spaces.”

Cross-post By Karen Morfitt, CBS News A resource for struggling families and those living on the street in Lakewood is in desperate need of a new location. Without it, Mean Street Ministry, which operates a food bank and day shelter along the West Colfax corridor, might not survive. “I was homeless and looking for a place to stay one night, stayed behind the dumpster here,” Rollin Huber said. The decision would change his life. “A gentleman from Mean Street came and got me at six in the morning and took me in,” Huber explained. Read the full article from CBS News