Cross post from SaveBelmarPark.com
Westword pushed the DO-OVER button regarding their reporting of former Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul’s involvement in the non-purchase of 777 S Yarrow St. by the City of Lakewood.
Attorney and former City Councilor Anita Springsteen has provided updated comments on the revised Westword article.
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….
When Lakewood voted to take the first step in helping with Denver’s migrant crisis, residents interpreted that as Lakewood becoming a sanctuary city. Lakewood immediately cried misinformation. At the emergency citizens’ townhall of February 6, 2024, several speakers addressed concerns over Lakewood’s sanctuary status, saying that Lakewood is not using the word “sanctuary” and is not discussing that issue. However, by a show of hands at the meeting, attendees thought the current role of Lakewood Police and Lakewood’s offer to support migrants would match both the proposed support and the definition of a sanctuary city. Both set of words applied to the same actions. Yet Lakewood still spent tax dollars and energy on a campaign to cry “misinformation.” Resident comments show that the meeting was useful to talk to each other, as much as it was useful for gathering information.
Lakewood has a taxpayer funded PR department that can respond instantly to crises. In this case, the crisis was the residents’ concern over the possible “sanctuary” status of our city. Within a couple days, Lakewood had a new website that included a public statement which was also widely circulated (see below).
(above) Lakewood also had a flyer circulating on social media sites that most residents would not even know existed so would have a hard time advertising on. At the same time, residents had difficulty on Nextdoor.com, which kept stripping posts of the meeting and discussion on the matter.
Despite the problems, residents came by the hundreds to learn about Lakewood’s plans to support migrants. Speaker Karen Morgan (disclosure: this author is Karen Morgan) said,
“We all operate with different ears. I might say one thing and you hear another. For example, it’s absolutely true that Council is not discussing anything using the word “sanctuary”. They use words like good neighbor, welcoming, inclusive, supporting, sheltering…”
The audience laughed as they recognized that all these words meant the same thing. One resident commented after the meeting, “thank you for making that point, I was going to say the same thing.”
An interesting note is that in the city’s flyer above, “sanctuary city” and “being a good neighbor” are in quotes, as though even Lakewood recognizes these are just words with fluid meaning. At the same time, they imply one is right and the other is wrong.
One resident said they understood Lakewood was just taking the first step, but this was opening the door and the time to stop it was now.
Yet another resident said he will be at the February 12 Council meeting to show support. He said that the Citizens’ Meeting was a great way to reconnect with some old friends.
Another asked for the address to City Hall. He has never participated before but he will be there.
Several people commented that the problem was the lack of accountability of the City Manager, Kathy Hodgson who has the ability to work behind the scenes.
At least a dozen residents told this author personally that the meeting was needed, they wished the city had done something like this.
Other residents were interested in information and the Citizens’ Meeting was an opportunity to find answers.
In today’s world, one persons misinformation is another persons’ fact. No matter what, an important discussion is taking place and residents are participating in their government. Council Member Isabel Cruz stated in the January 8 meeting that “This is important to step up to our responsibility as good neighbors…This [approved motion] is only the first step.” And now, more Lakewood residents are engaged in discussions about what, if any, steps will follow.
One meeting organizer said, “This was about the citizens. They all pulled together, it wasn’t about the organizers. This was about everyone.”
It seems hundreds of attendees agreed with that.
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.
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
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
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
UPDATE: Venue changed to 1626 Cole Blvd., Bldg 7, 4th Floor, Lakewood, CO 80401, 6:30-8:30 pm
Guest post from The Concerned Citizens in Lakewood
Date: Fri, Feb 2, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Subject: Citizen Town Hall
To: <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Mayor Strom, Chief Smith, and Lakewood City Councilors,
We understand that the City of Lakewood is in discussion with the City of Denver and considering a vote to make Lakewood a Sanctuary City to allow migrants to be bused into our beautiful city. We also understand that the intent is for them to occupy the now vacant Jeffco Schools buildings at the expense of Lakewood taxpayers.
Lakewood has hundreds of citizens that are very concerned with this. We invite you to come and listen to concerns, share what you know about these plans, and how you see this playing out in our city. In addition to the serious concern of Denver making their problems ours, there are significant concerns about the ramifications and impacts this will create in our neighborhoods and greater community – crime and safety, infrastructure, local business, and much more.
We realize it is short notice, but please let us know if you can attend on Tuesday evening, so we can both acknowledge you and plan for you on the agenda. Informational flyer is attached with details on the event.
Sincerely,
The Concerned Citizens in Lakewood
In June 2023, the Lakewood Budget and Audit Board voted to recommend keeping future TABOR funds. To do that, they recommended finding a specialist to help find out what would make residents agree to this proposal. That decision seems to be proceeding, although requests for status have not yet been answered.
As this CBS News article points out, governments cannot spend money on political campaigns. Although keeping TABOR refunds will be a ballot issue, it is not now. Therefore, there is a loophole to be taken advantage of in order to craft a political message before announcing the ballot measure.
Jefferson County is doing the same so-called pre-campaigning for tax refunds. However, in the case of the county, they were very careful not to say that a decision had been made to keep the funds. Jeffco said they were just researching, which will include ways to craft ballot language.
Lakewood has already made the decision to keep the TABOR funds by a vote of the Budget and Audit Board. So a ballot issue is pending but is not yet announced. The Board discussed using the specialist to find out what residents would be willing to pay for so that they could use that language. Former Mayor Paul pointed out how successful that strategy was the last time.
Jefferson County was in the news for hiring a personal connection of Rep. Brittany Pettersen to research this TABOR issue.
Lakewood did not have to suffer this scrutiny because they reached out for three quotes that did not go over the limit which would require a public Request For Proposals. The decision did not come to Council as a separate policy decision that would require public discussion. The expense would have been included in the 2024 budget and approved at that time.
There is no word on the current status of this project. No Council Member responded to questions for status or where in the 2024 budget the funds were included.
Update 3 February 2024: Council Member Olver responded that the current Budget Board Council Members would be more likely to have answers. Currently that would be Councilors Rebekah Stewart, Jeslin Shahrezaei, Isabel Cruz.
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Guest Post
Jerad Knight, Navy spouse in Lakewood Colorado has been nominated for the 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year (AFI MSOY). Jerad Knight is an active military spouse in his local and nationwide military spouse community. He has worked with local organizations and global military spouse networks to bring awareness to issues within the military community ranging from Mental health, suicide awareness, food insecurities, and housing issues.
A full review of his accomplishments and nominations can be viewed on his candidate profile at:
https://msoy.afi.org/profiles/2024-jerad-knight
To vote all anyone would need to do is create a user profile and they can vote daily each day of voting by logging in and casting their votes. Base winners (first round) will be announced February 13, 2024.
A second round of voting will occur February 27 – 28 2024 and the public voting will happen the same way as the first round. Branch (Second Round winners) will be announced March 4, 2024.
After the two rounds of public voting Branch winners will be judged for the overall Military Spouse of the Year 2024 award and announced at the AFI MSOY town Hall in Washington, D.C. on May 9, 2024.
The Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year® (AFI MSOY) award was founded in 2008 to honor military spouses from all branches of service. More than one million military spouses support and maintain the home front while our service members defend this great nation.
The AFI MSOY award recognizes military spouses’ important contributions and unwavering commitment to the military community and our country. Nominations for AFI MSOY are made by both the civilian and military community. There are four rounds of advancement, culminating in the announcement of the overall AFI MSOY in our nation’s capital in early May. AFI MSOY is so much more than an award!
Lakewood Courts got a little less transparent in 2023.
The Lakewood Municipal Court holds an annual presentation for City Council and the public on the State of the Court. In 2022 we learned that Lakewood was focusing on compassion and opening an Outreach Court to clear warrants and provide resources. Unfortunately, in 2023 there was no update on this or any other subject. Judge Nicole Bozarth presides over the Lakewood Municipal Court.
In 2022 it was reported that the number of service calls to police was up but the number of court hearings was down. Why? Is it still down?
In 2023, Lakewood started the Outreach Court. How was success measured? Future plans?
What is the state of the court?
The grant for the Navigation Center in Lakewood includes several letters of support from community organizations who have previously existing ties to the city.
Organizations are a type of special interest group who have good intentions but do not necessarily democratically represent the neighborhood residents, for example by taking a vote. The residents who live around the Navigation Center did not provide any support letters, and no city meeting nor survey of Lakewood residents was conducted to solicit support. Was there a place for robust discussion and dissenting voices to be heard?
Rather than talk to disparate residents, an easier route is to get a letter from organizations which has previous ties with the city. In this case, the Lakewood organizations all had close working relationships with Lakewood, including financial ties, as shown below.
There is no evidence that the letters of support were financially motivated. What it may suggest is an echo chamber of existing, friendly partners rather than a coalition of broader community support.
Other letters of support came from Jefferson County and the cities of Arvada, Westminster, Wheat Ridge and Golden. Each city letter used the same language: “fully supports the proposed goals of the project and looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the City of Lakewood and RecoveryWorks”. Only Jefferson County mentioned future funding, pending availability.