Shame.

I recevied an email from Councilperson At-Large Carol Biogon today. Yep, that's her in the photo to the left. I had emailed her, along with all of her city council peers, a few weeks back with my concerns about her position on our Juan Diego development. In case you were wondering, here is how Councilperson At-Large Boigon describes her role on her website:


As one of the two Denver City Council At-large members, I have a dual role: to focus my attention on the specific issues impacting neighborhoods and communities across the entire City of Denver and to consider how these issues and all others impact and relate to the City of Denver as one whole community. I can tell you that this is a challenging and exciting task and I am committed to it. I have two staff members to assist me..... I hope that you will contact us if you have any questions about City issues or if you have any thoughts or suggestions that you would like to pass along. We can be reached at (720) 865-8100.

Cool, huh? considering how issues impact and relate to the City as one whole community. Funny, I don't get that at all from her email reply to me, and hundreds of others who wrote her about this issue. Check this out:

Thank you very much for writing about the project at 2447 W. Dunkeld Place. The Juan Diego project has the zoning it requires and meets needs identified in the City’s plan for removing homeless from the streets. In addition, my office received a letter yesterday from the State Historical Preservation Officer and president of the Colorado Historical Society stating that the project as currently planned creates no adverse effect on the Highland Park National Register Historical District.

My concerns have focused on the nearby recreation center, two DPS elementary schools and North High School and its playing fields. This is an area where many children play outside and walk from place to place without adult supervision. My son lived on Caithness; I know the area well.

Therefore, I am not opposed to sick people or poor people making their home in the area. But I am very opposed to an apartment building for many people with criminal histories being placed in the area. As we review this matter, these are the concerns that will guide my decision-making.

Although this particular issue does not require a public hearing prior to a City Council vote, I wanted to let you know that a one-hour, courtesy public hearing has been set for Monday, January 22. Although there are seven public hearings set for this particular City Council meeting, the public hearing to discuss the Juan Diego project is currently planned to be the first public hearing of the evening.

The City Council meeting will be held in the council chambers directly across the hall from the elevators on the 4th floor of the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street. The meeting starts at 5:30 pm. It is customary that other agenda items are handled before the sign-up period for the public hearings. The time needed to address these other agenda items varies, but in order to speak, people are encouraged to come right at 5:30 pm to ensure they do not miss the sign-up period.

Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.

Sincerely,

Carol Boigon

Are you kiding me? The paragraphs that shock me are the ones beginning with "My concerns..." and "Therefore..." Go back and read them again. Please. Does it make you sad? Mad? What does this do to you? For me, it is a rally cry for truth. The fact is that all residents of this facility will have a complete Colorado Bureau of Investigations background check. Those applicants with felonies, sexual offender convictions, drug charges, etc will not be permited to live in the Juan Diego building. They will have an extensive check far more than any of your other neighbors. Or any of the people who just happen to walk past a school or a ballfield.

Our elected officials have a duty to not let personal prejudice get in the way of the rights of our citizens. We as a city will never grow and prosper until all of us have a chance to grow and prosper. Using fear and completly inaccurate information is wrong. In a democracy, everyone is entitled to their opinion. They are not entitled, however, to make stuff up. Making up facts to support their own personal prejudice.

Please join us at the City Council meeting on Monday, January 22 at 5:30pm. Join us as we continue to help our neighbors have a place to live and stay healthy. Join us to give a voice to being fair. Join us to make a difference.