Denver Hires Emergency Manager to Manage Emergencies (Extraordinary Event - DNC)

Quoted from the "award-winning community newspaper, The Cherry Creek News and Central Denver Dispatch, which reaches 30,000 readers direct by mail every month in the heart of Denver, including Cherry Creek, Country Club, Bonnie Brae, Hilltop and Lowry!

Denver Retains Emergency Manager to Direct DNC Planning for City's Emergency Management

Written by Cobb, Sue - Mayor's Office
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
DENVER

Mayor John Hickenlooper today announced the hiring of internationally renowned emergency management veteran Ellis M. Stanley, Sr., as Director of Democratic National Convention Planning for the City’s Office of Emergency Management.

Stanley will oversee completion of the City’s overall integrated emergency management and business continuity plans in time for the August 25-28 Democratic National Convention, and will coordinate related training efforts among City departments. He also will lead the City’s coordination and collaboration with federal and state agencies it relates to consequence management and work closely with the Denver Police Department on safety planning for the convention.


Stanley is on loan to the City from his position as Director of Western Emergency Management Services for Dewberry LLC, a national planning, design and management services firm. He will remain with the City under contract through August.

“Ellis Stanley is one of the foremost emergency planners in the world,” Hickenlooper said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have him on our Democratic National Convention planning team. His experience with myriad significant events – including three national political conventions, the 2006 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 1994 papal visit and World Youth Conference here in Denver – will serve us extremely well.”

Hey, sounds like the right guy for the job. But wait, here is a slide from his PowerPoint presentation back in '06 when he was General Manager, Emergency Preparedness Department, City of Los Angeles.

(click to enlarge)

Now I'm not so sure.

Coming Soon

You didn't think I spent all of my time videotaping talking heads, did you?

Latest Denver Bond Issue Info

Not much here:




But at the City Council Bond Implementation Committee meeting of March 24th, a very informative and up-to-date review.

Dick's Mile High Music Festival

Thanks to gatewaynews (on the YouTubes) for the vidie. Party on Commerce City!

Denver Parks - Mayor's Decision or People's Vote?

Mayor Hickenlooper is forging ahead with his plan to lease our parks to commercial promoters, although this is expressly prohibited by the City Charter. Led by our graduate-student Manager, Kim Bailey, a Task Force has been set up (ABSEP) and then divided into 4 subgroups, for maximum dissipation of community concern. Larry Ambrose of Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation explains the Legal Matters.

Now hear Dave Felice, community activist, "Coming to a Neighborhood Near You"

And finally, Carolyn Etter, former co-Manager of Denver Parks and Recreation sees the "Cart Before the Horse".

by way of Cindy and then David (from www.savecitypark.org)

Despite Carla Madison's comment that Denver is in danger of becoming a "festival unfriendly town", these folks seem to be forging ahead. I'm not sure how much credibility to give this, since they are not yet listed on the City's "Permitted Events" page.

Denver Mayor's Power

Just asking...

From: Gerald Trumbule
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 11:22 AM
To: Alison May
Subject: Extraordinary Event

Hello:
I am a recently joined member of the ACLU. I have been very appreciative of the work the ACLU has done to curtail the unconstitutional changes the City of Denver has been attempting to put into place before the Democratic Convention comes to town.

My question is this: Upon what underlying basis does the Mayor rely to declare an "extraordinary event" during which normal laws and procedures can be set aside? Is there any factual (legal) basis for this power? Are there any limitations on this power? Further, could the Mayor declare martial law in Denver?

Thanks for your help in trying to understand the extraordinary,

Gerald Trumbule

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Alison May
Date: Tuesday, March 04, 2008, 3:54 PM
To: Gerald Trumbule
Subject: RE: Extraordinary Event

Dear Mr. Gerald Trumbule,

Thank you for contacting the ACLU of Colorado. We appreciate your membership and interest in the organization.

While your question is an interesting one I truthfully do not know if I will be able to find an answer for you. Please know that I will attempt to find an answer from one of the two attorney's here in the office. In the meantime you might be interested in knowing about a wonderful program put on by the Denver Channel 9 news that allows callers to phone in, speak to attorneys, ask questions and receive answers. The program is called Lawline 9 and it takes place on Wednesday afternoons between the hours of 4 - 6:30pm and the phone number is 303.698.0999.

Warm regards,
Alison

Alison May
Staff Associate
ACLU of Colorado
400 Corona Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 303-777-5482 x117
Fax: 303-777-1773
http://www.coloradoaclu.org/

Colorado House District 8 Nominees

The results of the delegate vote were very close: McCann 84, Bergles 80, and Lowery 78. So all three, having received over 30% of the vote, will now advance to the primary, and will appear on the ballot in that order. Beth McCann Matt Bergles Cindy Lowery

Breaking News - Denver District 8 Democrats Select ....

The State House District Democratic Assembly met today at the Denver Convention Center, in record numbers, to select candidates for the upcoming August 12th primary. In District 8, which surrounds City Park, three candidates were in the race: Matt Bergles, Cindy Lowery, and Beth McCann. (See posts below). To advance to the primary ballot a candidate must garner at least 30% of the total delegate vote. By the end of a long day an estimated 1/3 of the delegates had left, but the votes were finally cast (into an open cardboard box) and then counted on the floor in the hall. The result: McCann - 84, Bergles - 80, and Lowery - 78. The outcome: all three qualified for the primary ballot. Good old fashioned democracy. It ain't pretty, but we like it. (Video to follow.)

The Erin Brokovich of the West

Regular readers of this blog are already familiar with the environmental work of Adrienne Anderson, dismissed from the faculty of the University of Colorado for her ceaseless efforts to hold polluters accountable.

Check out her recent interview on Iamelephant.com. This "elevision" show from Boulder represents the latest in internet TV, a growing source of real information for those of us who have had enough of American Idol.

Anderson details her dismissal from CU and the strange tale, often discussed here, of how Lowry Landfill toxins ended up in Denver's Washington Park (Grasmere Lake) and City Park (Ferril Lake). For further details click on Anderson (on this page to the right) and at the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center.

Busman's Holiday

Took the day off on Saturday for a trip to Estes Park and the incomparable Stanley Hotel for lunch (Blue crab cakes...yum). Purposely left the video camera at home but...it's always something.

We happened across the International Weight Pull Association (IWPA) meet. Is there anything animals won't do for their masters? I'll leave the editorial commenting to you.