LAKEWOOD INFORMER

with contributing author Joan from Lakewood On August 12, 2024, Lakewood City Council voted to approve a ballot measure that will permanently suspend TABOR limitations for Lakewood. All City Council spoke in favor of the measure except for Council Member Rich Olver, the sole nay vote. There was some Council discussion about whether to include a sunset or not but in the end, the vote was to suspend refunds permanently. The Lakewood City Attorney cited a court case that would allow this permanent suspension. Lakewood’s previous suspension was only temporary. A presentation by the Magellan consultants, who were hired to do a survey of Lakewood residents, claimed that 52 percent of the citizens were in favor of this policy. There were three people that testified in person about this resolution: one in enthusiastic favor and two against. Online comments were almost evenly split. This even split reflects the Magellan findings. On the other hand, 90% of Council supported the resolution. One member of the public questioned the timing of this resolution being voted on the last week before school starts, thinking that was the reason there was not more feedback. Author Joan from Lakewood believes that most citizens feel the Lakewood City  Council does not listen to public comment and that after spending $74, 000 it was a baked in vote. From Bob Adams on Nextdoor.com: “On July 12, the Lakewood City Council met in a public meeting to vote on a ballot proposal to allow them to keep and spend...

A request initiated by City Councilor Rich Olver has been taken off the schedule, outside of normal Council procedures. Olver requested a study session for the Terumo BCT ethylene oxide emissions in 2023. According to Olver, the study session will no longer be scheduled, after Mayor Strom asked the Ward 1 Councilors if this was something they were interested in pursuing. Apparently, they were not. As a result, the Council approval for a study session has been overruled. This is an irregular procedure. As previously reported in the Lakewood Informer news, Councilman Olver has renewed his request for this study session multiple times, including again recently. Unlike other Council Members whose requests are regularly approved, Olver does not usually get approval so this initiative caught attention as something other councilors would actually listen to. However, when Olver asked about the status, Mayor Strom responded that she checked with Ward 1 Councilors and they didn’t think it was necessary. Comments from Ward 1 Councilors suggest that Council Member Sinks was not consulted. However, neither the Mayor nor any single Councilor have the ability to overturn approval of the full City Council. Originally passed by consensus on June 12, 2023, Shahrezaei and Strom agreed at that point to hold the study session. What changed? At that time, Lakewood’s Mayor was Adam Paul. He did not schedule the session either. The question here is, why do some people’s request get priority timing and some never happen. Regarding the study session, Mayor Strom said,...

Includes cross-post from https://theridgeseniorliving.com/blog/ Lakewood, Colorado, June 10, 2024 –The Ridge Pinehurst, an Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care rental community in the Denver, CO area owned and operated by The Ridge Senior Living, has been featured in a British television program as one of the “World’s Most Luxurious Retirement Homes.” The 45-minute documentary, which aired in the UK on June 9, showcased senior living communities that redefine luxury and vitality for their residents. The documentary, produced by the independent production company ScreenDog Productions and the first episode of the series, followed several residents of The Ridge Pinehurst in a “day in the life” format, offering viewers a glimpse into the vibrant lifestyle at the community. The Ridge Pinehurst was featured alongside The Palace at Coral Gables in Miami, Florida, and Danny House in Sussex, England. “The Ridge was selected because it is a bona fide luxurious senior living community which feels like a slick, modern, hotel spa with state-of-the-art wellness facilities, beautiful artwork, and surrounded by open countryside and mountain scenery,” said Ed Kellie, Founder and Exec Producer of ScreenDog Productions. “Every retirement home we feature is different, but they all complement each other and are all truly luxurious. The Ridge felt like it would stand out for people particularly interested in wellness, sports, and the great outdoors.” Diane Macheers, Vice President of Corporate Communications for The Ridge Senior Living, expressed pride in the recognition. “It is such an honor to be recognized as one of the world’s most luxurious...

The Westword has posted a in-depth look at the history of ketamine use in Colorado, highlighting efforts by Lakewood’s own Anita Springsteen. Springsteen witnessed and video recorded an incident of involuntary ketamine dosing by West Metro Fire, and her video contradicts the official story of an agitated individual. Five years later, she is still fighting and bringing a spotlight to the issue. Five Years After Elijah McClain’s Death, What’s Changed About Colorado’s Use of Chemical Restraint? by Alan PrendergastWestword, Article Highlights: “As the five-year anniversary of the McClain tragedy approaches, Colorado is widely regarded as being in the vanguard of efforts to reform the use of chemical restraint.” “Springsteen filed a complaint with CDPHE about the paramedics’ actions in Axtell’s case. She received a letter stating that the department had investigated the matter thoroughly, including “interviews and meetings with persons with knowledge of the event in question,” and determined there were no grounds for disciplinary sanctions. But that investigation didn’t involve talking to Springsteen, an eyewitness, or viewing her video, which contradicts the paramedic’s account of the incident.” “… delirium was a convenient excuse for police agencies looking to elude liability for in-custody deaths. It also became a ready-made justification for paramedics to bring out the ketamine. “

Cross post from Ramey Johnson It’s important to share what I am seeing and hearing from our community. One popular Colfax business can no longer hang the American flag outside their door. The homeless living nearby take it down and shred or burn it. The employee I spoke with assumes they burn it to stay warm. He often finds foil with burn marks from illegal drugs near their area. Generally, they leave when he asks them to. A small business owner told me, “There is nothing that anyone can do.” He seemed resigned that the situation would not change. He showed me a counterfeit $20 bill and was waiting for the police. Normally, when he asks the homeless to leave, they do, but not always. Their barred glass door has been broken twice. One successful business owner who came from India 17 years ago is still waiting for citizenship. He is proud to be becoming an American citizen legally but frustrated with how long it takes. Pawn shop owners tell me people pawn personal items to pay for rent, food, and gas. He estimates that probably 10% pawn personal items for illegal drugs. A Day Labor employee told me that men come to work but likely spend money on drugs in the evening. A small business owner shared with me that he pays over $24,000 in property taxes (“real estate taxes”). He’s not sure how much longer he can make it. Lastly, the manager of a small business who immigrated...