Author Archives: IndyNinja

IndyNinja

About IndyNinja

I support People, not Parties. I support Ideas, not Ideologies. I am an independent voter.

Don Coram Lies (Dog Bites Man)

0
  by: IndyNinja Tue April 16, 2013 at 1:23 AM MDT

As someone who is concerned with the practices of the oil and gas industry, I was excited when HB 1269 was proposed, and very disappointed when it was watered down during debate.

The original bill would have prohibited employees of the oil and gas industry from being appointed to the board that regulates said industry, but the final version of the bill allows for industry employees to be appointed to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and continue, as foxes, to guard the henhouse.

But it seems that Morrison Rep. Don Coram wasn’t paying attention during that debate, despite how important he says it is. Either that or he is purposely lying about it in his recent email to his subscribers:

“HB13-1269- Another bill debated on the floor was HB 1269. This bill reorganizes the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to prohibit any newly appointed commissioner from being an employee, officer, or director of an oil and gas operator or service company. The results of this bill passing would be similar to restricting any practicing nurse, doctor, or medical professional from serving on a medical board. Rep. Scott from Grand Junction and I both fought against this bill and gained support once again from democrats Ed Vigil and Mike McLachlan. The bill passed and is now headed to the Senate.”

This is just another in a long chain of lies and intention deceptions distributed by members of the GOP this year as the struggle with their regained minority status. Yet the press continues to ignore them entirely.


Full story: Don Coram Lies (Dog Bites Man)

Dishonest Death Penalty Show Down

0
  by: IndyNinja Tue March 19, 2013 at 7:31 AM MDT

The stage was set, Monday, for an inter-party showdown over the repeal of the death penalty.

Competing House Bills 1264 and 1270 both call for an end to the practice of executions by the state, but while 1264, sponsored by Representatives Jovan Melton and Claire Levy simply repeals the practice, 1270, sponsored by Rep. Rhonda Fields, would refer the question to the voters.

Now, there is certainly plenty of debate to be had over whether repealing the death penalty is the right thing to do, beginning with today's Judiciary Committee hearing, and I have my own strong opinions about that, but what I want to talk about is Rep. Fields and her tactics.

Two of the three people currently on death row were responsible for the death of her son, meaning she is hardly objective on this issue. But the fact is, the voters of her district knew her history and her positions when they elected her. So the fact that she has crusaded against guns and opposes ending the death penalty is no big surprise, nor do I think it is unethical for her to participate in this debate.

What is surprising, and upsetting, is that she has chosen to run a competing repeal bill rather than simply oppose Melton's.

She has said, openly and repeatedly, that she is against the repeal. But rather than debate that point, she has decided to make it about who has the right to make that policy decision. And in doing so, she is undercutting everything that democrats have been working for.

The argument on civil unions, on TABOR, and uncountable democratic positions is that the ideal form of government consists of empowered elected officials who write the laws on behalf of the voters. So when Rep. Fields says the legislature is underqualified to handle something as serious as the question of whether the government shoud be executing people, she seriously jeapordizes that message, and someone from her party really needs to tell her so.

I hope there will be a substantial debate over the death penalty, but that debate should be one with an honest opposition, not a dishonest counter-measure sponsored by someone who actually hopes her own bill will fail.


Full story: Dishonest Death Penalty Show Down

GOP Hijacks Slavery Resolution

6
  by: IndyNinja Wed February 6, 2013 at 12:40 PM MDT

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Remember when the GOP delayed action on a few dozen bills to delay action on Civil Unions? And remember when games like that got them kicked out of the majority office by the voters? And remember when a few of them said they'd learned their lesson?

Well, if you were paying attention yesterday morning, you would wonder if they even remember 2012. 

As Joe Hanel of the Durango Herald reports: Slavery resolution a tool in gun debate

In a sign of how much resistance Democrats can expect to their gun-control bills, House Republicans tried to derail a Democratic news conference by stalling on a resolution about the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Former Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, wanted to amend the resolution by adding the full text of the document that led to the end of slavery. That led to a skirmish over parliamentary rules, with Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino accusing Republicans of trying to stall and delay the news conference.

Republicans denied that they were purposely delaying the news conference, but a GOP member later admitted that was the strategy.

On the House floor, Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, confronted House Minority Leader Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs.

“It’s the Emancipation Proclamation. This directly affected my family in North Carolina. It’s extremely insulting,” Melton said.

Stay classy, GOP.

Word is that both the Denver Post and the Colorado Statesman are going to have more detailed stories out in the next day or two. I, for one, can't wait to hear what they turned up. 


Full story: GOP Hijacks Slavery Resolution

Civil Unions Quietly Passes Appropriations

0
  by: IndyNinja Thu January 31, 2013 at 9:24 AM MDT

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

For those of you keeping track of Senate Bill 11 on Civil Unions, it passed the Senate Appropriations in an early morning meeting on a 4-3 vote. 

Next up will be 2nd reading on the Senate Floor, expected for Friday, February 8th with final Senate passage expected the following week. 

The word is that supporters are aiming to have the Governor's signature on the bill before March 1. 

Update with story: http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35061/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1048


Full story: Civil Unions Quietly Passes Appropriations

Another (not yet announced) Candidate for CD6

0
  by: IndyNinja Tue January 29, 2013 at 7:31 AM MDT

Late last night, Kate Newell, daughter of recently re-elected Senator Linda Newell, posted this to her facebook page:

Kate Newell
9 hours ago near Denver

So proud of my mama, who (after being asked too many times to count) has decided to seriously consider running for/serving as Congresswoman for CD 6! Excited to see where this faithwalk takes us, Linda Newell!

(more…)


Full story: Another (not yet announced) Candidate for CD6

First Law of 2013

0
  by: IndyNinja Wed January 16, 2013 at 8:33 AM MDT

Update 9:21am  -  HB 13-1057 has passed the House on second reading and is scheduled for third reading tomorrow.

–

Scheduled for second reading today (and likely final passage in the House tomorrow) It looks like the first piece of legislation to pass out of the 69th General Assembly will be:

HB13-1057

by Representative(s) Mitsch Bush, Pabon; also Senator(s)Nicholson–Concerning  the  retention of the  avalanche information  center  within  the  department  of natural resources.

This bill basically prevents one of last year’s laws from going into effect on January 31st, which is why it is being hurried through the process.

Legislation passed last year (sponsored by Rep Gerou (R)) shifts the Colorado Geological Survey into the School of Mines and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CACI) with it. But School of Mines says they are not the people for that job, which involves daily reporting of activity and conditions. So lawmakers of the newly minted House and Senate are rushing to pass 1057 in order to keep the CACI where it already was, with the people who know how to do it.

Government at its finest.

1057 is expected to pass the House tomorrow and finish the rounds in the Senate by the end of next week, giving the Governor a few days to think about it before he signs.  


Full story: First Law of 2013

Sen. Brophy Makes Lemonade – Plans Odd Bills

31
  by: IndyNinja Tue January 8, 2013 at 10:52 AM MDT

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)



Sen. Greg Brophy has been in the Senate minority for a while, but now that Colorado’s lower chamber is back in the hands of the Democrats, he won’t be seeing the kind of GOP issues come across his desk this year that he did last year.

But instead of holding his breath til he turns blue or sponsoring some far-right legislation for Democratic target practice, he is making the most of his time in the minority by sponsoring legislation that is sure to keep him in the headlines throughout the session, and just might pass to boot.

While Sen. Brophy hasn’t announced all of his bills yet, the first three he has been talking about are all a lot of fun to debate.

Automated Cars

In several states, legislatures have passed rules concerning “driverless cars” as a response to Google’s ongoing project to develop and market the software that powers them. Brophy says his legislation is modeled after these other states and will provide restricted allowance for automated vehicles.

Teens in Bars

This bill is similar to laws in Texas and elsewhere that allows parents to give permission for their children to consume alcohol in an establishment that normally serves alcohol, such as bars or restaurants. In Colorado, it is already legal for a person of just about any age to consume alcohol so long as they are in the presence of their parents, have their permission, and they are on private property. This bill would extend that provision for people 18 years old and up to drink at the bars as well… with mom.

Daylight Savings

The biennial fight over the existence and practice of daylight savings time. This time around, Brophy plans to draft the bill as a referred measure and leave the matter to the voters. As usual, the breakdown will be whether MST or MDT is the new standard.


Full story: Sen. Brophy Makes Lemonade – Plans Odd Bills

Buckner Sneaks Ahead in HD40

0
  by: IndyNinja Wed September 5, 2012 at 6:34 PM MDT

John Buckner is now leading incumbent Cindy Acree in the race for district 40′s State House seat, having out-raised her by a 2-1 margin in the last month.

Considering the significant advantage that Re. Acree should have in this race, the fact that she is falling behind is significant. I’ll leave it to the comments to discuss what it means, but there is no denying that Acree is faltering in one of the most important districts in the state (as far as party control of the House is concerned).

John Buckner (D)

$29,329.00 Period Contributions

$     610.46 Period Expenditures

$56,709.71 Total Contributions (since March 2012)

$10,673.87 Total Expenditures

$46,035.84 Funds on Hand

Cindy Acree (R) Incumbent

$13,530.00 Period Contributions

$  5,518.22 Period Expenditures

$47,696.99 Total Contributions (since January 2011, including $3,666.75 from previous election)

$18,877.76 Total Expenditures

$32,485.98 Funds on Hand


Full story: Buckner Sneaks Ahead in HD40

“Big” Art Carlson Back in the Game (but probably just to plug his show)

0
  by: IndyNinja Fri August 31, 2012 at 10:39 PM MDT

Art Carlson is apparently anxious to lose his third state legislative race and doesn’t want to wait another two years, so he’s filled the vacancy to run against Jovan Melton in House District 41.

Wasting no time, his first statement about the race spins a conspiratorial web (pun intended, wait for it) wherein former HD41 candidate Andrew Bateman got into the race six months before Melton in order to upset Terry Todd at Assembly nearly a year later, solely for the purpose of depriving him of the top line on the ballot, which he knew would be the deciding factor in the June primary yet another 3 months later. And here’s the kicker, both Bateman and Melton did it at the bidding of former Mayor Wellington Webb. No, seriously.

“The outsider Democrat won the primary when Webb had 2 of his candidates run in the county assembly to make sure the local favorite Terry Todd didn’t get top line in the primary.”

More below the line…

Before you all jump on me for my headline (in case you didn’t know, Carlson is only 4.5 feet tall), understand that I didn’t make it up. It’s a nickname he not only applies to himself, but seriously abuses: (from his website)

BIG Art Carlson talks about BIG topics that effect his world, such as Occupy Wall Street, National Debt (that’s REALLY BIG), Debt Ceiling, GOP Presidential Debates, Photo ID, Islamic Terrorism, Balanced Budget Amendment, Congressional Redistricting, State Legislature Reapportionment as well as non-political topics.

Big Art Carlson believes his honor and principles make him a BIG giant among men.

The BIG Art Carlson show airs every Saturday 3 to 5pm mountain time.

Art offers many services and activities right here on his website, including speaking engagements where he offers motivation, promotion, encouragement and the BIG picture of life.

His challenge is to entertain, amaze, and challenge his audience to understand that in the BIG world we live in, our only limits are the ones we impose on ourselves.

Oh yeah, did I mention that in his free time he runs an internet radio show and moonlights as a “comedian”? I put comedian in quotes because I haven’t met anyone who thinks he’s funny. Here’s a gem from 1990:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

Or another from May 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

In which he says that President Obama was the first US President to be born in a manger, whatever that means.

Earlier this year, Carlson lost the Republican primary for Senate District 28 to John Lyons (by about 63-37) where he would have been up against Rep. Nancy Todd. Perhaps his loss can be attributed to this campaign video in which an animated character delives this line:

Wow! I am a liberal and I’m not happy with Obama. Art is on the open space board so he must like animals and beautiful open space trails. I’m going to vote for Art.

If he had won that primary, it would have been the second time he ran against Nancy Todd, the first being in 2010, when he lost by nearly 20 points. Any bets on whether he can increase his spread record again and lose to Melton by more than 30 points?


Full story: “Big” Art Carlson Back in the Game (but probably just to plug his show)

Heated Debate Shakes Up HD 41

23
  by: IndyNinja Tue February 28, 2012 at 6:51 PM MDT

(In-person, original coverage of a local race — wonderful. – promoted by ProgressiveCowgirl)



It was everything I hoped it would be and more. The Candidates all brought everything they had (which is more impressive for some than others) and provided a couple hours of very entertaining discussion in one of the most (if not the most) contentious Democratic primaries in the state.

The debate was hosted in Arapahoe County’s brand new headquarters, which looks fantastic, and featured the three Democratic Candidates vying for the open House District 41 seat.

The candidates are/were:

Andrew Bateman: The Activist

Jovan Melton: The Staffer

Terry Todd: The Husband

Highlights and my version of Monday-morning-QBing after the jump…

Here’s how I felt about the race before the debate, including some background on the candidates themselves.

The Short Version: Bateman Won. Melton made a good showing. And Todd reinforced the feeling that he is out of his league.

Opening Statements



In the opening statements, the candidates each gave the routine “thanks for being here, isn’t democracy great, I’m a good person” type remarks. Bateman also asked the crowd (packed to the walls) to watch for who was being vague about what they want to do versus who put forward serious and specific policies, and that he planned to do the latter. In my opinion, he was the only one to do so.

The First (and most predictable) Question



When asked what they each thought the most important issue for HD41 was, Todd answered first with a vague response related to economy that could be created (yes, he said “economy created”) by ensuring that the light rail expansion is completed. Bateman immediately came out swinging, saying that if Todd thought RTD was the most important issue in the district, he should consider running for the RTD board, but since this was a race for the state legislature, Bateman would address a state-wide issue. He then laid out a fascinating proposal for what he called “partial unemployment” which could prevent workers from being laid off during a recession and help companies re-staff faster during recovery. Melton’s answer, I honestly can’t remember. It didn’t stand out to me.

The Meat of the Debate



Most of the evening followed that tone. Melton came across as likable and capable, but failed to demonstrate much knowledge of public policy. Bateman, on the other hand, was never unable to answer a question in detail and easily came across as the smartest guy up there. What’s more, he showed his work, listing off a new example of actual accomplishment and progress that he had contributed to, or even led, for nearly every issue raised by the audience.

I got the feeling throughout the evening that Bateman and Melton were united in the cause of de-legitimizing Todd. If so, it was very successful. Neither missed an opportunity to highlight what Todd didn’t know about something, including a moment where Bateman had to remind Todd what Ref C was. Meanwhile, each of them seemed to hold off on openly attacking each other. Maybe that is just a sign of who respects whom.

They did all come together at one point when Independent HD41 candidate JM Fay asked a nonsensical question about four-square-mile. All three of them, as well as anyone else in the room who knew her, let out a unanimous exasperated sigh at the woman who has become little more than an incessant bother to everyone she encounters, barraging us all with hard-headed personal vendettas and crusades. I was happy to see the three of them trade smiling glances before brushing off the question and moving on.

My Favorite Moment of the Whole Evening

Toward the end, when the candidates were given time to ask questions of each other, Todd took a desperate swing, pulling out the only criticism of Bateman and Melton he’s been able to come up with since last April. He accused both Melton and Bateman of being dishonest about their history of residency within the district. As this issue has been raised a number of times by Todd and his allies and consequently rebutted several times over the last year, I caught several people rolling their eyes.

Melton responded first by pointing out that he attended public school in the district and grew up here. He had only left the district because he was working at the capitol, but returned to care for his ill mother well before deciding to run for office.

Bateman then gave the same answer he’s been giving all along, that while he has lived in several places around the county, he has lived in Arapahoe County since the day he was born. And that while he did, in fact, move across the district board (a move of a few blocks) to run for 41, he didn’t believe that people on opposite sides of an imaginary line had significantly different issues. He went on to state that, as people who had grown up in the area, he and Melton had a much better understanding of what it is like to live, work, and go to school in the district than Todd, who grew up, went to school, went to college, and began his career in another state, moving to Colorado only after establishing a stable career.  

Bateman then responded directly to the accusation of dishonestly, calling out Todd for refusing to give a straight answer on whether or not he was running when asked repeatedly by Bateman leading up to his entrance in the race. A the time Bateman announced and filed, he was the only candidate of either party in the race.

Favorite Lines From Each Candidate

Todd: “My website is www dot… um… Terry… uh… J… Todd dot Com”

Melton: (while talking about the repeal of TABOR, which both he and Bateman committed to supporting, and which Todd avoided committing to)”You can’t eat the elephant all at once, you have to do it one bite at a time. I call it an elephant because, well, that’s where it came from.”

Bateman: “There is more to being a representative than raising your hand at the right moment. You have to be willing and able to do the hard work and convince others to raise their hands at the same time.”

What Each Candidate Could Have Done Better

Melton: Every time you followed one of the other candidates, you started by saying “I agree with…”, which made it difficult for the things you said to stand out. You have the opposite problem as Bateman. While your personality is very appealing, you don’t speak up for yourself enough to get noticed.

Bateman: I get that you are the smartest guy in the race and that you want to demonstrate that, but you have a tendency to come across as a bit arrogant. Deserved or not, it’s a little off-putting and you may want to work on it. A forceful presentation is necessary sometimes, like when pumping up a rally, but you have to be able to play the humble public servant sometimes, too. Crack some jokes, smile more, and inspire people to be a part of what you’re trying to do.

Todd: For the love of God, study! You were a teacher for crying out loud (albeit an elementary gym teacher). Being the husband of a legislator does not qualify you to be one. If you want to make it through the next few weeks as a candidate, you have got to be able to show up with something more substantive than weak lines about “liberty and justice for all.” Tell us what you plan to do. Show us you can bring something to the table. Or get out of the way and let the two who did their homework have a productive primary without you in it.

Where I Stand

Bateman and Melton both impressed me overall. Todd did not. While I think Melton could easily do the job of being a legislator and do it competently, I believe that Bateman would be able to light a much needed fire under some asses at the capitol.

I encourage others in the district or around the state to support one of these two as well. They are good, strong, up-and-coming politicos and this position will be a great fit and a great start for either of them. Todd, on the other hand, is 72. And I hate to make it about age, but this is not a person that we can hope for big things from. At best, he will follow his wife’s footsteps, serve 8 years in each house and then retire from politics at the age of 89.

I wish all the candidates well at caucus. But I sincerely hope that Bateman and Melton emerge as the primary contenders and that Todd sees the light and backs out. I think primaries are good for a party, but only if the participants are elevating the level of debate, not dragging it down.


Full story: Heated Debate Shakes Up HD 41

HD41 Candidates Debate Next Monday

0
  by: IndyNinja Mon February 20, 2012 at 5:58 PM MDT

According to an email sent out by party officials, the Dem candidates in HD41 will be debating each other next Monday, the 27th at the Arapahoe County party headquarters.

Full text:

Dear Colorado House District 41 Democrat,

We have too very important meetings coming up in the next few weeks.

Our Colorado State House District 41 Representative Nancy Todd is term limited and we will be electing a new House District 41 Representative this November. There are three Democratic candidates who have filed with the Secretary of State’s office. They are, in alphabetical order: Andrew Bateman http://www.batemanforcolorado…. Jovan Melton http://jovanmelton.com/, and Terry Todd http://www.terryjtodd.com/

You’ll have a chance to get to know them and learn about how they plan to represent you at our Arapahoe County Democratic House District 41 meeting on Monday, February 27 at 6:45 PM at the recently relocated Arapahoe County Democratic Party Headquarters located at 10730 E. Bethany Dr., Suite 240, Aurora (See map below). The candidates will be debating each other. Please submit your questions to me at hd41dems@gmail.com no latter than February 24 so that I can combine the duplicate questions.

My thoughts after the jump.

First and foremost. I am excited to see these three debate. They are all coming from very different backgrounds and it should be fascinating.

Terry Todd, of course, is the husband of incumbent Nancy Todd, who is term limited from the house and is instead running for the Senate. The Todds have held many of their campaign events together, though many people supporting Nancy, either with endorsements or money, seem to be holding off on supporting her husband. Before being the husband to a legislator, Terry taught PE for an elementary school and coached high school football. He is also a military veteran.

Andrew Bateman comes from the non-profit advocacy world. I met him when he was the head of the state-wide student advocacy group, the Associated Students of Colorado, which peaked in effectiveness under his leadership. Andrew was constantly testifying at the capitol, holding joint press conferences with other major organizations, and authoring editorials in the major papers. At one point, he managed to get over a thousand students to an event on at the capitol protesting education cuts. That event made the front page of CNN’s website that day. Since then, he has worked raising money for a few different non-profits, including the ACLU, and currently sits on the budget advisory committee for the City of Aurora.

Jovan Melton I don’t know much about. I haven’t met him, but according to his website, he worked for Lt Gov OBrien and has been a staffer on a number of campaigns, mostly in the denver-metro area. I also read in the Aurora Sentinel that he was the campaign manager for Aurora’s Recreation Center initiative this past fall. I find that interesting because if I remember correctly, there was an opponent position arguing against that measure in the blue book, but not a proponent position arguing for it. Now, I don’t know who’s fault that is, but in my experience, the campaign manager generally oversees that stuff for initiatives. So that makes me wonder. His endorsements, on the other hand, are impressive. Mayor Webb, a couple current legislators (most of whom he helped elect) and several other interesting names.

Of the three, I think Andrew will have the advantage in the debate. His work for most of the past several years has been directly involved with state policy and he is really good at talking about it. I also think that, in a caucus setting, he is mostly likely to win over activist-base type voters. However, I think if two or all three of them make it through the caucus process or petition onto the primary ballot, that Terry Todd will have the advantage, due to greater access to special interest money (which he is taking full advantage of) and the name recognition perk. So if Jovan or Andrew hope to win, they need to keep Terry off of the Primary ballot.

And finally, as to who I want to win. I dont know. When it was just Todd and Bateman, the choice was pretty clear for me. I don’t like the feel of nepotism and, in my opinion, no one would consider Todd a serious or qualified candidate if he wasn’t married to Nancy Todd. But after Jovan entered the race a few months ago, that preference became harder. They both seem like good solid candidates with a background in showing good work. They’re both younger, which I like, and I think I will just have to see them argue before I’ll be able to tell for sure.

Of course, my opinion doesn’t matter much, since I don’t live in that district and I’m not a democrat, but I do plan to donate to one of them, most likely after the debate.

I encourage dems in the area (or other interested folk like myself) to check this event out. It should be a lot of fun.


Full story: HD41 Candidates Debate Next Monday

Brian Carroll Back In For HD28

32
  by: IndyNinja Sun January 1, 2012 at 5:09 PM MDT

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)



According to documents filed with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office on Thursday, December 29th, Brian Carroll will again be seeking election to Colorado’s 28th House District.

Carroll originally filed to run for HD28 in the midst of the reapportionment process and got significant press coverage as the first openly gay soldier to run for political office after the historic repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” which effectively ended in the summer of 2011.

However, his district already had an incumbent Democrat, Representative Andy Kerr, who quickly mobilized an impressive list of pro-LGBT rights individuals and organizations for a fundraiser.  

After several days of pressure, Carroll withdrew his candidacy and accepted a position as interim Chair of the first Colorado Democratic Veterans and Military Council for the Colorado Democratic Party.

However, when the final district maps were approved in December, Rep. Andy Kerr (D), Rep Ken Summers (R), and Rep. Max Tyler (D), were all placed into HD23, and Republican HD23 candidate Amy Attwood was moved into HD28 and was now the sole candidate for that seat.

Shortly after, both Kerr and Summers announced that they will be running for the Senate in district 22, rather than take on Rep. Tyler.

All of this shuffling provided an opportunity for Carroll, who many considered to be an ideal candidate running at the wrong time, to reactivate his campaign for the State House.

District 28, while relatively balanced in voter registration, tends to lean Democratic in voting history.


Full story: Brian Carroll Back In For HD28

BREAKING: Mayor Hancock to meet with Occupy Denver protesters

28
  by: IndyNinja Tue October 18, 2011 at 9:24 PM MDT

(Best of luck to the occupiers in brokering a fair agreement that recognizes their rights and the city’s needs. – promoted by ProgressiveCowgirl)



UPDATE 5pm: Mayor Hancock sends Occupy Denver delegates packing, but promises future useless meetings.

http://www.kwgn.com/news/kdvr-…

According to releases from multiple sources, Mayor Hancock will be meeting with representatives of the Occupy Denver protest, which is now in its fourth week of demonstrating between the State Capitol and the Denver City and County Building.

The meeting will take place at 1pm in the Mayor’s office and will last 30 minutes.

I just talked with protesters in Civic Center Park who are giving credit to City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega and State House candidate Andrew Bateman for arranging the meeting.  


Full story: BREAKING: Mayor Hancock to meet with Occupy Denver protesters

Reapportionment Maps Are Up

9
  by: IndyNinja Fri September 9, 2011 at 2:39 AM MDT

(New idea: Every 10 years we give 10 randomly selected non-human primates from the Denver Zoo a marker and a map of Colorado. First to draw the right number of districts wins and those are the final, indisputable maps. About the same result. – promoted by ProgressiveCowgirl)



The commission staff has posted two versions of new state legislative district maps. The commission will meet to discuss the maps on Sept 12, and will vote on Sept 19.

Maps available here.

Go nuts COPols.


Full story: Reapportionment Maps Are Up

Sen. Williams Avoids Prison, Names Successor

12
  by: IndyNinja Fri May 20, 2011 at 4:09 AM MDT

Despite killing a pregnant woman with her car, and injuring several passengers including two children in her own vehicle who were not wearing seat belts, State Senator Suzanne Williams will not face criminal charges for the December 2010 car crash that she caused in Hartley County Texas. The Family of the woman who was killed may still seek civil damages, however.

Amarillo’s Channel 7 reports here.

Eric Gomez, husband of Brianna, said the grand jury’s decision was “unfortunate.”

“No matter what I do, no matter how long I stomp my foot it’s not going to change the call on the field,” said the coach and teacher at Amarillo High School. “And on a larger scale there’s nothing I can do to change what the grand jury decided.”

According to the AP, he said the family is regrouping and will “see where that leads us.”

…

Williams told The Associated Press that she was relieved by the announcement that she was not facing charges.

Some posturing in the weeks leading up to this decision, however, led some to speculate that she was worried about the decision. Details on that after the jump.

At a local meeting in April. Senator Williams (SD28) told democrats in her disrict that State Representative Nancy Todd (HD41) would be seeking her Senate seat in the 2012 election and that Rep. Todd’s husband, Terry, would be running for his wife’s seat. (Terry Todd has filed the appropriate paperwork with the SOS, Rep. Nancy Todd has not. So for the time being, Nancy Todd’s candidacy is not official)

Some questioned the timing of the announcement, over 18 months before the election, and it seems that the move was designed to set up for potential vacancy committees that may have had to be convened if Sen. Williams was summoned to Texas for a criminal trial, or worse yet, found guilty and sentenced to jail time. The idea being that announced candidates would have an advantage in a vacancy process.

But the move brought other questions forward as well. For one, how appropriate is it for our representatives to be naming their successors and overtly working to prevent challenges?

In this case, Sen. Williams’ husband will be the campaign manager for Rep. Nancy Todd’s husband. Sen. Williams previously held the seat currently occupied by Rep. Todd.

And at a different meeting, when another Democrat (Andrew Bateman) announced that he would be running against Terry Todd for the open HD41 seat, Senator Williams jumped in on Terry Todd’s behalf  citing the fact that there hadn’t been a Democratic primary in Aurora in years and criticizing his choice to run when there was already someone else. She even went so far as to suggest that he should move to another district and run there.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, for what it’s worth, Bateman filed his candidacy paperwork before Todd.

So what do you think polsters? Do primaries have a value to the parties? Or should the establishment and incumbents choose the candidates with everyone else clearing the path for the entitled husbands, wives, and children of other electeds?

Full disclosure: I won’t be casting a vote in this race, first because I don’t live in the district and second because I’m not a Democrat. But the dynasties annoy me nonetheless, hence the tone of bias. But, if I hadn’t been following the Sen. Williams car crash story so close, I probably wouldn’t have even known about this whole mess. Which is why I wanted to bring it up to the rest of you, who also may not be aware of it.


Full story: Sen. Williams Avoids Prison, Names Successor