Bring Proposed Loss of Parkland to Vote of the People

At the November 8, 2012 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Denver Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Manager Lauri Dannemiller brought forward a request from the Denver Public Schools (DPS) that nine acres of the Hentzell Park Natural Area in southeast Denver be “de-designated”. The proposed de-designation would allow DPS to use the land as a site for a pre-school/elementary school complex. In exchange, a building at 1330 Fox Street, now owned by DPS, will be used to house the city’s new Domestic Violence Center, a mayoral priority.

This action flies in the face of the DPR’s own Management Plan for Hentzell the purpose of which is to restore Hentzell to a showy example of sandhills and riparian vegetation that once existed in the area. De-designation would set an unacceptable precedent that could erode the quality and size of Denver’s park system, and it highlights serious problems with the way in which Denver’s parkland is classified and protected.

These problems include the following. First: It is within the authority of the DPR Manager to de-designate Natural Areas. This is a flawed policy. All parkland managed by DPR including Natural Areas, Parks, and Open Spaces, is held in the public trust. It is not to be used (or sold) for purposes removed from conservation, preservation, and recreation. In fact, the Denver City Charter provides the model (see Part 4, Section 2.4.5) for how this land should be treated. The Charter explicitly prohibits the sale or leasing of land designated as a park by ordinance without approval by a majority of registered voters. It is clear that the de-designation of nine acres of the Hentzell Park Natural Area violates the spirit of the City Charter.

Second, a significant minority of what DPR labels as parks and the citizens of Denver have come to consider as parks, “parks” such as Stapleton or Ruby Hill, for example, have never been designated by ordinance as such. These undesignated “parks” are at risk of being used for whatever purpose a particular administration considers appropriate at the moment. This poses a threat to our current and future park system.

Third, we need more not less land to achieve the goals of the DPR stated mission (see the DPR Game Plan). The population of Denver, now estimated to be 620,000, is expected to rise to 754,000 by 2030. In light of the projected increase in population and a likely increase in the density of population in central areas, it is critical that we convert more not less land than we have at present to parkland of all types. 
As a result of these issues and threats to Denver’s parks posed by the precedent that would be set by the proposed de-designation of nine acres of the Hentzell Park Natural Area, we should :
1. Bring the issue of de-designation of the Hentzell Park Natural Area to a vote of the people;
2. Mandate the immediate designation of undesignated (and legally eligible parkland) including Natural Areas and Parks; and
3. Revise the relevant rules and regulations so that designated Natural Areas cannot be sold or leased or de-designated, without a vote of the people.

I urge that citizens concerned with maintaining our parkland and enhancing our park system join the growing list of individuals and groups that have endorsed the position noted above (seewww.denvernature.net for a list of organizations), and email comments to DPR Manager Lauri.Dannemiller@denvergov.org or parksandrecreation@denvergov.org or Mayor Michael Hancock milehighmayor@denvergov.org or attend the next Parks and Advisory Board meeting on Dec. 13, 3013, 5:30 pm, at the 4th Floor (Room 4.F.6) Web Building, 201 W. Colfax.
Kathleen Wells, Ph.D. on behalf of Advocates for Denver’s Parks 
Board Member, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods and Cheesman Park Advocacy Group

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Keeping an eye on DPS Board

Woman Fights Bully, WINS!

Ed: Way to go, Jane

Just came out of three years of HELL and want to thank all my friends that kept encouraging me to fight injustice and for believing in me. I agreed to settle my law suit against a guy named Bill Airy, owner of Poo Free Parks, a company that promotes advertising in public parks. Imagine, I'm a former Parks and Recreation Director that has continued to work for the common good and preserve nature. This guy filed false charges against me all of which were dismissed. To recoup my legal fees and damages I filed a civil suit for malicious prosecution, I WON, can you believe it?!!! I WON my suit!!! Woman fights bully, WINS! THANK YOU to all for believing in me. This is a good thing and it will set a precident for future cases.

Jane Parker-Ambrose

Statement by Advocates for Denver's Parks

BRING PROPOSED LOSS OF PARKLAND TO VOTE OF THE PEOPLE

At the November 8, 2012 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Denver Department of Parks and Recreation (DDPR) Manager Lauri Dannemiller brought forward a request from the Denver Public Schools that 9 acres of the Hentzell Park Natural Area be “de-designated”. The proposed de-designation would allow DPS to use the land as a site, along with 2.5 acres of land adjacent to the site that is owned by the City, for a pre-school/elementary school complex. In exchange, a building at 1330 Fox Street, now owned by the Denver Public Schools and used for DPS programs, will house the city’s new Domestic Violence Center, a mayoral priority. DDPR would lose parkland as a result of this arrangement.

We do not take a position on the need for a new school in southeast Denver or on the location of a home for the City’s Domestic Violence Center. We do assert, however, that the loss of land that has been designated as a Natural Area in order to accomplish these goals sets an unacceptable precedent that could erode the quality and size of Denver’s park system.

The designated Natural Area is part of 71 acres of undeveloped parkland in southeast Denver along Cherry Creek called the Paul A. Hentzell Park.¹ The parkland north of the creek has “some of the last remnants of native prairie vegetation in the City”; two areas contain a diverse collection of uncommon grasses and wildflowers; and a third has diverse prairie vegetation (see Hentzell Park Management Plan). The floodplain area adjacent to Cherry Creek contains cottonwoods and the areas away from the creek contain native and non-native species. The park department’s own Management Plan for Hentzell called for designation of some of this land as a Natural Area. The guiding vision was that it would be “restored as a showy example of the sandhills and riparian vegetation that once existed in the area” (p. 25). In 2007, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended, and the DDPR Manager approved, formal designation of the Natural Area.

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Mayor Hancock to Lead Trade Mission to Mexico City

		PRESS RELEASE                        For Immediate Release   Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012
	City and County of Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock  Rowena Alegría, Communications Director Rowena.Alegria@DenverGov.org Amber Miller, Press Secretary Amber.Miller@DenverGov.org O: 720.865.9095   Mayor Hancock to Lead Trade Mission to Mexico City   DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock tomorrow will lead a delegation of city, state, business and community leaders to Mexico City to strengthen economic development, tourism and cultural opportunities that can be forged with the new Volaris nonstop flight.   “With Volaris’ new service to the heart of Mexico, we are throwing the doors open to increase economic, tourism and cultural opportunities for our regions and our people,” Mayor Hancock said. “We will continue to capitalize on the vast opportunities that lie ahead with this additional nonstop flight between Mexico and Denver by embarking on this trade mission.”   Joining the Mayor on the trip is former Denver Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vidal, Consul General of Mexico Andres Chao Ebergenyi, and Denver City Council Members Debbie Ortega and Paul Lopez.  Representatives from VISIT DENVER, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Vail Resorts, Xcel Energy and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade will also participate in the delegation to Mexico City. (see attachment for full list of participants)   During the two-day visit, the delegation will participate in meetings with some of Mexico’s top business leaders, political dignitaries, and travel agents and operators.  In addition, they will tour some of Mexico City’s largest companies and cultural facilities. The Mayor’s trade mission includes seeking business opportunities in Colorado, with respect to companies in electricity, oil & gas and natural resources, manufacturing, construction, environmental and other economic development opportunities.   “This new nonstop flight is an exciting step in continuing to grow Denver’s international economic portfolio,” said Paul Washington, Executive Director of the Denver Office of Economic Development. “Mexico is Colorado’s second-largest export market, and Denver is home to some of the businesses that provide those products and services, such as Prologis, Molson Coors and KPMG.  We hope to grow these exports and others, as well as attract new business and investment from Mexico.”   On Saturday, the Mayor and delegation will return on the nonstop inaugural flight on Volaris from Mexico City to Denver. Volaris will be the sixth foreign-flag carrier airline to serve Denver International Airport and will operate the flight twice a week. The new nonstop flight from Denver to Mexico City is expected to bring 6,000 new visitors and generate $9.4 million in economic benefit for Denver and the region.  Currently Aeromexico and United both operate nonstop service between Denver and Mexico City, and the new Volaris service is expected to stimulate local passenger traffic, benefiting all carriers.   “The new flight will not only benefit the business community, it will also open up even greater tourism opportunities between the two countries,” said Richard Scharf, President and CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Both are world-class cities that offer rich cultural experiences, vibrant nightlife and unique, citywide festivals and events.”

Denver Mayor's Done Deal

The City of Denver and Denver Public Schools "park-land-for-a-building swap with a new school thrown in" would appear to be a done deal. At least the proposed occupant of the building seems to think so. From the Rose A. Andom Center website:

We have a home…
A building at 1330 Fox Street has been secured by the City of Denver for The Center.The Center has a long-term lease for use of the building and will be responsible for raising all renovation funds and reimbursing the City for ongoing occupancy costs.

Preliminary plans on the park land and school have been done:

Citizens are still concerned:

Dear Members of the Denver Parks & Rec Advisory Board,

I am forwarding below an email I have sent to Mayor Hancock's office.  I have also forwarded this to my State and US politician's offices, Denver City Council, other local groups, and social media outlets.  I am thoroughly disgusted with the latest attempt to push through an agenda without using appropriate channels and notifications.  This seems underhanded and completely at odds to the democratic process.  It smacks of the Wal-Mart and Colorado Blvd issue all over again and I will not stand by and watch the Mayor or anyone else who may support this "deal" to rid Denver of more open space.  I will be fighting to prevent this from moving forward.

Sincerely,

Sarabeth Bjorndahl

Dear Mayor Hancock,

Regarding Paul Hentzell Parklands: I am writing to protest both your handling of this issue and the issue itself.  First, not bringing this to the attention of Denver-wide residents is poor business/politics at best. As a user of Denver Parks and a longtime resident of this city I would expect that an issue of this importance would be presented as such.  I'm disgusted that you would consider robbing Denver of more of her open parks when there are few enough to begin with.  But to do so with the level of subterfuge that seems to be accompanying this process disgusts me more. You were elected to represent this city and not a few selected interests.  Be assured that I am doing all that I can to bring this to the attention of those who will be as concerned as myself.  I have contacted the major news carriers, politicians and will begin a social media campaign as well.

and:

I value Hentzell Park and am appalled at this proposed diminution of the park.
I am also concerned about the inadequate public notification which suggests DPR's - yes - contempt for the public, the process, and nature. This was an attempted end run and I resent it.
The park is important to me - but regardless of me - the park is important relatively-natural habitat of which there is very little left in Denver. We humans are not entitled to crowd out all of nature from this planet - and that starts right here at home in Denver, at this site. This is a value - consistent with the City's expressed interest in "sustainability" (about which it, by the way, is holding public meetings right now, though hypocritically, perhaps) - that I expect DPR and the City to respect and promote.
Even if none of us ever visited Hentzell Park, it would still warrant preservation. But far from never visiting it, I know it well. I have bicycled to it hundreds of times and have even hiked there - from central Denver - twice. I think this qualifies me as a sufficiently interested party - even though I don't live next to the park. That there was not broad public notification is outrageous - and a further affront beyond this proposal being so intrinsically bad - so anti-sustainable - it never should have been conceived in the first place.
Hentzell Park has been the scene of many special natural encounters for me - encounters that contribute to making living in Denver special -  including getting off my bike many, many times to get down on the ground to smell the wonderful sweet fragrance of the white sand verbena.
It is also the site earlier this year - on one of those hikes - where I observed a kingfisher catch a fish in Cherry Creek. And, tragically, it represents one of the last prairie dog sites, and feeding grounds for hawks, which I have also enjoyed watching there. But again: this is not about me. It is about the very little remaining natural habitat left in Denver, habitat we have a responsibility to preserve.
Gerry Todd 

 Is the Mayor merely exercising his considerable power or is he overstepping his limits? It looks like a done deal no matter who complains. Any opinion from City Council members?

All Things MJ with Jessica LeRoux - December 2, 2012

Hey Now, 

New flavors are at the bottom, below all this week's news... be sure to check them out too! 

Get ready for some reading next week, the MMED is allegedly coming out with new documents on Monday. I've seen some of the materials and I can already tell you I am going to need your voices to back me up in the next 28 days to fight for fair new rules. You can expect a full review of the MMED's proposed changes within 48 hours of being released. I will say I am semi-skeptical about their timeline since the MMED canceled their Friday meeting with their input group, making review of the document before posting to the MMED website on the 3rd a challenge. But I will be checking the website monday morning and over the day looking for the post. 

Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division considering rule changes, wants public input

this is up there now... 

MMED Caregiver Cultivation Registration is now available - please download a copy of the Caregiver Cultivation Registration Form, provide the requested information and send it our office at 455 Sherman St. Suite 390, Denver, CO 80203.http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=Content-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline%3B+filename%3D%22Caregiver+Cultivation+Registration+Form.pdf%22&blobheadervalue2=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251836817789&ssbinary=true

and I would hardly call this redundant, as the MMED does not act to enforce the 6 plant limit, and local LEO's need a system to determine who is legit. this is not perfect, but it is overdue. 

Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division launches redundant private caregiver registry

I sent the Governor a formal letter of request on Tuesday to ask to be included on the new task force. we shall see... I advise any of you who want a say in the future to do the same. Amendment 64: John Hickenlooper setting up broad task force regarding marijuana measure

I did get to ask the governor a pre-recorded question, and when the show played back on CPR I knew why they pre-recorded me, cause they edited the substance outta my question... for the record my original question was... "Governor Hinkenlooper, you had a phone meeting last week with Dept of Justice's Eric Holder in regards to amendment 64, can you tell us what strategies the state discussed with the federal government for implementing or negating a recreational cannabis market in colorado. Will the state government officially ask for federal changes to Marijuana policy to support the will of the voters?"

Colorado Public Radio - Marijuana, Drilling Keep Governor Busy

so we still dont know what Holder talked to the governor about for 90 minutes, cause the question got changed, and the Gov spun it onto Diana Degette who is cool, instead of answering about the DOJ who historically are not!  

and then there is this bunch... http://assets.bizjournals.com/denver/pdf/MarijuanaLetter113012.pdf    if you see a local organization on this list send them an email to let them know you disagree. 

20 Colorado business groups want federal pot laws enforced despite Amendment 64 - Denver Business Jo www.bizjournals.comA group of 20 Colorado business organizations wrote to U.S. Attorney General Eric...

this case will prove as important as the benior case. esp in the coming days of 64, pay attention folks. 

Colorado appeals court case debates question of off-duty marijuana usewww.denverpost.comA case pending before the Colorado Court of Appeals could have a big impact on whether employers will be able to fire workers who smoke marijuana off duty.

This story is great news for those of us who are following the Blue Sky case... read the attached dismissal by the Judge in this case! This story should stand alone rather than being focused on how Mr Corry wants to fuck folks for his clients but still be seen as an OK guy... HA!

Are medical marijuana contracts worth the paper they're written on?

the republicans are repugnant, but Rice aint exactly nice either... I say dump em all, Anarchy NOW. Ambassador Susan Rice Is Financially Tied To Keystone Pipeline Company : NPRwww.npr.orgIf she becomes secretary of state, Rice, would get to decide the fate of the controversial oil pipeline. Financial disclosure forms show the U.N. ambassador has a financial stake in the company that wants to build the pipeline.

Why does the susan rice story matter?

“There are a variety of organic compounds, metals and radioactive material (released in the fracking process) that are of human health concern when livestock meat or milk is ingested,” said Motoko Mukai, a veterinary toxicologist at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. These “compounds accumulate in the fat and are excreted into milk. Some compounds are persistent and do not get metabolized easily.”

Livestock falling ill in fracking regionsopenchannel.nbcnews.com In the midst of the domestic energy boom, livestock on farms near oil- and gas-drilling operations nationwide have been quietly falling sick and dying. While scientists have yet to isolate cause and effect, many suspect chemicals used in drilling and hydrofracking (or “fra …  the Medical Marijuana Industry Group a lobbying agency owned by corrupt patient pain profiteers, has been 100% in bed with the fracking Lobby since the day they were founded. WTF MMIG? how can you fight cancer from the same damn office suite your colleagues use to fight to allow carcinogens in our water and air. People need to wake up and fight back. BOYCOTT. 

National Ass fucking Hat award... Hashish cooking blast blows out wall of Portland condowww.ktvb.com A man reportedly cooking marijuana into hashish suffered burns to his upper body from an explosion that was powerful enough to take out the wall of a second story condominium. Just say NO to homemade BHO... actually say no to all solvents at all times, they're bad for your health. 

Local Ass fucking Hat award of the week... but really this story seems BS, for instance how did this guy access an MMC with no red card?

Gregg Nelson reportedly fails to enjoy beautiful Colorado scenery thanks to pot brownie

yo dumb old media patsy dude, next time maybe fly?

Marijuana: TSA says flying between Colorado and Washington with herb will be okay...sort of

then again, maybe not... 

California pilot who flew 55 pounds of pot into Boulder gets 2 years probation, $10,000 finewww.dailycamera.comA Boulder judge this afternoon didn

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Walkabout - November 24, 2012

Red on blue over York St

City Park's Duck Lake with new Toyota Elephant Complex in background

Toyota Elephant Complex as seen from the back

Major Taylor Bicycling Club gets ready to ride

New tree stump in City Park with message left by person who found a diary there for the person who wrote the diary

Formerly yellow building at Colfax and Detroit now red

Under new management on Colfax

New management - very friendly

New hand signal at Colfax and Josephine

New signage with moving electric lights at 16th and Josephine

Citizens Document Prairie Dog Poison on Playground Site at 26th Ave

Ed. note: Thanks to Patricia Olson, Holly Hazard, and Ghia Speakman for allowing us to publish their excellent work in documenting this toxic danger, and to Dave Felice for forwarding it to us.

November 20, 2012

VOLUNTARY WITNESS STATEMENT
I, Patricia N. Olson, 2690 Hanover Street, Denver, CO 80238, 970-222-0881, on Monday, November 20th, 2012, make this voluntary statement to the Commissioner of Agriculture, State of Colorado. I have read and understand the contents of this statement. The statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am at least 18 years of age and, if needed, would be willing and able to testify to information contained herein at court or hearing.
STATEMENT
At approximately 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2012, I met Holly Hazard, Senior Vice President, Programs & Innovations for the Humane Society of the United States and Ghia Speakman, staff member with wildlife expertise from the Prairie Dog Coalition, to further evaluate the proposed 26th Ave Park for a pilot project.
Background
I am a veterinarian who lives near the proposed 26th Ave Park and have been concerned for over a year about the administration of aluminum phosphide fields in the Stapleton area – cautioning the developer, city council members, the mayor and many other agencies/groups about the potential risks for pets and children.
The proposed 26th Ave Park, to be developed by Forest City Enterprises, is to provide 2 acres for a children’s playground park and 23 acres for a natural park. Many Stapleton citizens believe that the natural part of the future park could be developed so that prairie dogs could co-exist with people. Wildlife scientists at the National Wildlife Research Center have already offered their help to contracept the prairie dogs so that the population would be manageable. Several other wildlife experts have offered their expertise on using natural grasses and other barriers to prevent migration of the animals into the playground or other undesired areas. The proposed pilot would allow prairie dogs and associated species to survive, allow children to play in the park safely, and offer children a rich educational experience about wildlife.

Many neighbors living near this proposed park site have been concerned for over a year because of the administration of aluminum phosphide to the land. They were concerned about the inhumane deaths of prairie dogs and also the potential risk to pets and children. A letter and photographs of children playing in the park were sent to Mayor Michael Hancock on 10/2/2012. As of today, I have received no response from the Mayor’s office.

Children playing in 26th Avenue Park – photographs taken 9/30/2012

Event on 11/19/2012
Thus, on November 19, 2012, Holly Hazard, Ghia Speakman and I were walking through the park to evaluate potential sites for the pilot project. Holly noticed a metal object in one of the prairie dog mounds. Initially, Ghia and Holly thought it likely a metal drinking bottle, or some other type of garbage. Holly decided to recover and identify the object.

Canister found on 11/19/2012 at the proposed 26th Ave Park site

Holly Hazard (left) recovering the can, along with Ghia Speakman (right) Patricia Olson (me) taking pictures

Recovered canister – Fumitoxin

White material noted inside the can and near can

Close-up of the can

I photograph Holly and Ghia for location

Holly also does GPS location

I walk directly north from the recovery site to get street intersection

26th Ave and Emporia

I tell Holly and Ghia to walk to my house (2690 Hanover Street) so that we can get the canister contained and so that they can clean up. We try to place the canister in a gallon zip-lock bag but it is too large so we cover the top and bottom with two gallon zip-lock bags and put this all inside a 30 gallon white kitchen garbage bag. Holly and Ghia wash their hands for several minutes.
We return to the park and find a second canister within 5 to 10 minutes.

Second canister found on 11/19/2012

We did not attempt to recover this one

Again, I photograph Holly and Ghia for landmarks

I walk directly north to get street intersection

Holly calls police and requests help. I return to my house and call Steve Blunt, Colorado Department of Agriculture. I clean up and leave to register my granddaughters for middle school.

Summary: Children are at-risk now and in the future (play ground area that is to be developed will be bounded by Fulton, 26th Ave, Florence and 25th Ave) to [toxic] waste that has not been cleaned up.

City officials try to quiet opposition to park deal

By Dave Felice
Special to Denver Direct

Denver’s Parks and Recreation Department (DPR) is apparently trying to appease the public and thwart criticism of Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s controversial proposal to give up park land in exchange for a downtown building owned by the school district.

Advocates for parks, open space, and wildlife seriously question Hancock’s scheme to trade nine acres of Hentzell Park in far southeast Denver for a building at 1330 Fox to house a victims’ assistance center. The land in question is part of the designated, but not necessarily dedicated, Natural Area of the park.

For the plan to proceed, the Parks Manager needs a recommendation from the Parks Advisory Board (PRAB). Following the recommendation, the manager can decide to de-designate the park land. Members of the Advisory Board say Parks and the school district have provided insufficient information about the deal.

In response, the Parks Department presents a different approach for prairie dog control, launches a campaign to influence the Advisory Board, and looks at official park dedication for the remaining 14 acres of natural area.

The Parks Department reveals it intends to put up poles where birds of prey can perch in an attempt to naturally control the prairie dog population in the Stapleton area. This follows harsh criticism of efforts to eradicate the animals by poisoning and gassing, especially in areas where children play. The Hentzell Park area also has prairie dogs, and Parks Manager Lauri Dannemiller says those animals would have to be eliminated as well.

Expressing skepticism, birds of prey specialists have mixed opinions about the effectiveness of the “raptor poles.” The key, they say, is to closely monitor the results and not just claim success. The bird specialists say getting good information on the results will be difficult, because there are multiple influences on prairie dog population levels. Some studies show that prairie dogs towns have shrunk after such perches are used in conjunction with other methods.

Assistant Parks Manager Scott Gilmore, a wildlife specialist and Stapleton resident, is taking ownership of the raptor perches project. Gilmore had previously posted comments of the Parks web site stating that prairie dogs provide a good opportunity to teach children about wildlife because the dogs are one of the few non-nocturnal species.

DPR has repudiated previous natural area management plans and no longer has a full-time wildlife biologist on staff.

In what appears to be an attempt to convince the Advisory Board to accept the deal at its next meeting, Parks is now presenting more information on its web site and offering tours of the area in question. Manager Lauri Dannemiller says the department has a dedicated address for e-mail on the subject.

The online information now declares that the area in question is a total of 11.5 acres, which includes a two-and-a-half acre parking lot originally built for Kennedy Golf Course. In its initial information, Parks specified only 5.7 acres of park land would be transferred. Now, a total of nine acres of designated natural area is at risk. Opponents say changing the specification should require the 45-day notification process to be restarted.

According to DPR’s web site:

Denver Parks and Recreation will accept public comments until December 13, 2012. The Advisory board will make a recommendation at the meeting after reviewing public comments. You may email your comments to parksandrec@denvergov.org or mail them to Manager Lauri Dannemiller, 201 W Colfax Ave., Dept 601 Denver, CO 80202. Please mention Hentzell Natural Area in the subject.

Those who comment should keep in mind that, unless marked otherwise, communication is a public document, subject to the Colorado Open Records Act. Dannemiller’s phone is 720-913-0738.

Advisory Board President Keith Pryor (haydenpryor@msn.com) of Council District 8 has sent an e-mail message to encourage board members to review the material and get public comment before the next Board meeting December 13. The Board meets at 5:30 p.m. in the Webb Office Building. E-mail addresses for the Advisory Board members are on the web site.

“Please try and have some conversations with as many people as you can to get a sense of the pros and cons and come ready to make a recommendation,” writes Pryor. “We will be sending out any additional public comment that is received by the public before the meeting.”

In a further effort of seemingly public appeasement, Dannemiller says District 4 Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann has “initiated a conversation” about dedicating by ordinance the remaining 14 acres of the natural area north of Cherry Creek. This comes in response to concerns that once the school district had control of the southern section, there would be little to prevent northward incursion.

James T. Allen is still getting Advisory Board e-mail and sitting in on deliberations. Allen is the representative for Denver Public Schools on the Advisory Board and has a conflict of interest because he is also the Director of Bond Construction for the school district. Charter Section 2.61 says city representatives shall refrain from attempting to influence decisions.

School district critics still question the actual need for a school in the Hampden Heights location. Even though voters approved a $400 million bond to include the costs of the school, DPS still hasn’t presented clear plans on its intent to even build a school.

Homeowners in the area protest that they are being deceived by the de-designation process. They say they bought their property believing that it would always be adjacent to park land.

Park advocates, including attorney Joe Halpern, say it is improper to give up even one inch of land in a city which is already deficient in the amount of per capita park and open space property. Critics claim the city is using technical details to circumvent Charter Section 2.4.5 on public oversight of ownership of public parks.

People who plan to attend the Advisory Board meeting December 13 should use the Court Street entrance to the Webb Building and be prepared to go through security screening.