Author : Lakewood News from Karen

After the February 12 City Council meeting, Lakewood City Council Member Rebekah Stewart sent out a campaign email, saying “Despite extremist attempts to bully and intimidate us out of investing in this critical resource, I stood up with my colleagues for our community and our shared values.” Who are these extremists who would bully and intimidate Lakewood City Council? Does she mean the hundreds of residents who came to the meeting and the many who spoke? Is everyone who disagrees with Council decisions extreme? Which ones are not? Are all these Lakewood residents bullies? Can we assume these people are not extremists since they are included in her email: Is your voice being heard in Lakewood? Read Stewarts campaign email here for full context.

Community Organizer Regina Hopkins is asking for your attendance at the upcoming Lakewood Planning Commission Meeting DAY/DATE: Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024 TIME: 7:00PM LOCATION: 480 S. Allison Parkway (Lakewood City CouncilChambers) Click for AGENDA **URGENT CALL FOR ACTION** Your presence and voice are urgently needed at this week’s upcoming Planning Commission meeting. We ask all local community members to attend in person, as this is the only way you can verbally express your public comments. The meeting is scheduled for Wed.Feb. 21 at 7:00pm at 480 S. Allison Parkway (Lakewood City Council Chambers). Recent developments have brought to light profound concerns about the handling of certain processes within our community, notably concerning the proposed development at 777 S. Yarrow St. This development,which includes plans for a monster apartment building adjacent to Belmar Park and the bird sanctuary, has sparked alarm among residents. The current approach, largely driven by decisions made by staff without any public engagement process, has resulted in many community members feeling blind sided and voiceless in a decision that directly impacts our cherished crown jewel park. We have conveyed our concerns to City Council, and now we turn to the planning commissioners – who hold a pivotal role in zoning he land in our city, among other duties. The upcoming Planning Commission meeting will provide us with a crucial opportunity to voice our opinions,express our concerns, and advocate for a more transparent and inclusive process. During the meeting, each attendee will have 3 minutes to address the planning commissioners. This is our chance to articulate why we believe they play a vital role in reviewing unilateral decisions made by administrative staff for the entire Lakewood community. Planning commissioners serve as an essential part of the checks and balances process within our community, and we look to them for oversight and improvement. We’ve seen examples from other communities in Colorado where processes have been enhanced to be more inclusive and transparent. It’s time for Lakewood to follow suit. One of the primary topics of discussion will be the preservation of Belmar Park and the planning decisions surrounding 777 S.Yarrow St. Your presence and advocacy are critical in safeguarding this essential community asset. I urge each and every one of you to prioritize attending this important Planning Commission meeting. Together, we can ensure that our community’s concerns are heard and addressed, fostering a more inclusive and transparent decision-making process. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter,and I look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Regina Director of Save Belmar Park

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7716846/Would-you-vote-like-City-Council-on-Feb-12 Answer these questions at the survey link above:

Cross Post from The Gazette, Jimmy Sengenberger In the face of Denver’s daunting $45 million migrant crisis, Lakewood’s city council recently embraced the role of a “good neighbor,” pledging support for a regional response to Denver’s migrant overflow at their Jan. 8 meeting. Speculation has swirled that Lakewood hopes to exploit Jefferson County’s status as a “sanctuary” jurisdiction for illegal immigrants and acquire closed JeffCo schools to shelter migrants and homeless Coloradans. … … … Yet, as the city distances itself from these reports, questions linger. If there’s nothing to them, why does Jefferson County Schools appear poised to offload its shuttered schools to local municipalities at a discount — especially after renovating the buildings at a cost of millions of dollars just before closures due to declining enrollment? Read the full story here. It’s worth it….

Note: this page has updated media coverage links at the bottom An accurate estimate of attendance was impossible. No more people could fit into the room. There were people lining the landings, the lobby and the parking lot. The number 500 was tossed around but who knows. People really wanted to talk about the possibility of Lakewood supporting migrants. Most participants did not seem to want to provide any support, but most everyone was respectful and everyone wanted more information on what Lakewood was doing. For the many people asking what to do next, former Council Member Mary Janssen recommends coming to the Feb 12 City Council meeting and letting your voice be heard. On the 12th, Council will vote on appropriating $9.3 million dollars for the Navigation Center, those funds will be used for buying and remodeling the building for a shelter. They will also hear from the City Manager about options with Denver and they decide whether there are any actions they can take immediately or what may be worth pursuing at a slower pace. There were two flyers being circulated for what residents can do next. Media Coverage: Hundreds gather over migrant housing concerns in Lakewood, FOX31 by Nicole Fierro Lakewood accuses citizen group of misinformation, CBS News, Karen Morfitt reporting Jefferson County Republican Party holds anti-migrant town hall in Lakewood, 9news.com Comunidad de Lakewood aborda crisis migratoria en la región, Telemundo Why Colorado isn’t a ‘sanctuary’ state despite its strong immigrant protection laws, CPR News, Paolo Zialcita LAKEWOOD RESIDENTS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY FROM CITY COUNCIL OVER MIGRANT HOUSING CONCERNS, The Lobby Rest easy, the Progressives running this state know what’s best for you. The media drive polarization, they don’t just amplify it. Media obtuseness on “sanctuary” cities. Colorado Accountability Project City of Lakewood debunks myths over its migrant response, Denver 7 Some Colorado communities scramble to help migrants, others “do not want to be Denver” as crisis spreads, Denver Post, John Aguilar NATIONAL on FoxNews On Martha MacCallum: Colorado residents in uproar over rumors Lakewood could become sanctuary city for migrants (see first part at minute 13, and more at minute 19. Continued February 8) Shown again on America’s Newsroom, February 8 Prior coverage: Lakewood City Council votes to help Denver with influx of migrants, CBS news, Karen Morfitt Lakewood taxpayers roped into paying for Denver’s sanctuary problems, Colorado Peak Politics Colorado’s illegal immigrant crisis hits the suburbs, The Gazette, William Perry Pendley Lakewood’s Migrant Information City of Lakewood addresses Colorado migrant crisis and “incorrect community information” being shared, CBS News, Ashley Portillo GOP chair behind secretive anti-migrant group spreading misinformation, 9News