Meet Your New Police Chief, Denver

by: Denver Pols

Mon Dec 12, 2011 at 13:01:15 PM MST

DENVER - Mayor Michael B. Hancock today welcomed the 69th Chief of Police Robert White to Denver, marshaling in a new era of safety to the city.

"Building trust and strengthening communications and relationships between our safety department and Denver communities is of the utmost importance to this Administration," Mayor Hancock said. "With the addition of Chief White and Manager Alex Martinez to our team, we will boldly pursue the highest level of safety for every resident and neighborhood in Denver."

"I also want to thank Chief Gerry Whitman for his leadership of the department and dedication to the citizens of Denver. Through nearly 12 years of service, he has set a solid foundation of innovative solutions and best practices for future leaders to stand on," Mayor Hancock said.

Chief White will hit the ground running with an ambitious schedule to introduce him to the six precincts and more than 1,400 officers within the Department and the more than 70 neighborhoods that comprise Denver.

"I am honored to be joining the incredible team at the police department and look forward to getting to work," Chief White said. "Starting today, we begin our journey to build a world class department with stronger collaboration between the community and our officers."

Since day one, Mayor Hancock has driven an aggressive vision of restoring public trust in the department and providing an even better police force to the people of Denver. White will help the Administration move forward with the goal of delivering a world class City where everyone matters.

"I am proud that Chief White has chosen to serve our City and I am excited for the next chapter of our safety department," Mayor Hancock said. "We welcome him to our City, and together, we will usher in a new era of safety for all of Denver."

White, who was previously the chief of police in Louisville, Kentucky, has to hit the ground running. From punctuated clashes with Occupy Denver protestors to a widespread perception of police brutality, White's going to have to improve the Denver Police Department's image, starting now.

The whole city is watching.  

(Probably) Everybody in Denver Supporting Mitch Morrissey

by: Denver Pols

Tue Nov 29, 2011 at 10:24:30 AM MST

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey cruised to re-election in 2008, facing no Democratic opposition in the primary and no challenger in the general election. There's a good reason for that: Mitch is as popular a politician as he is cunning a prosecutor, and we've heard few - if any - complaints about his time in the job.

Mitch also knows how to play his political cards really, really well. Case in point, this invitation to his 2012 campaign kick off lists nearly every Denver elected official, political consultant, and notable activist, including Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, and all three Colorado Democrats in the US House.

Folks, there are two ways an incumbent can handle their re-election campaigns. They can hope and pray that nobody will run against them, or they can take a more proactive position and ensure that nobody who wants any future career in politics jumps into the race. Morrissey is smartly going down the latter path, and with a host committee that includes nearly every influential politico from the region, he can be sure that he'll be re-elected as easily as he was in 2008. In fact, we doubt anybody will attempt to challenge him.

We should say, however, we're surprised to see the name of State Senator John Morris on the invite. We're assume whoever put the e-mail together intended to showcase State Senator John Morse, the Senate Majority Leader, and thinks a little bit too phonetically.  

Hancock's Office Still Working Out the Kinks With Media

by: Denver Pols

Fri Oct 28, 2011 at 14:16:45 PM MST

Denver mayor Michael Hancock has selected Louisville, Kentucky Police Chief Robert White to become the next Denver Chief of Police.

Hancock, who wasn't planning to make the announcement Friday, hastily scheduled a news conference for 3:30 p.m.

Before Hancock's office was ready to announce the choice Friday, White's department in Louisville put out its own press release that he was taking the Denver job. Earlier Friday, Hancock's press secretary Amber Miller said that "we're continuing our review process and hope to have someone appointed soon." [Pols emphasis]

This isn't as bad as trying to bar reporters from using tape recorders, but it is really a silly mistake for Hancock's team. It's quite clear that this decision had been signed, sealed and delivered before today, but it would appear that nobody was communicating with the City of Louisville on the timing of the announcement. That kind of thing is incredibly important in the Internet age, where it's just as easy to find out about an announcement in Louisville as it is to learn of one down the street.

Hancock's team got bad press in early August for being a bit too excited to push his "story" to the national media. If they don't start getting more careful, and fast, that story is going to write itself...but not with the narrative they are looking to find.

Hancock to Appear Beside Obama

by: Denver Pols

Mon Oct 24, 2011 at 11:15:38 AM MST

President Barack Obama will be in Denver on Tuesday and Wednesday to tout the jobs plan he is trying to push through Congress as well as to raise campaign funds. And his Environmental Protection Agency chief will visit Denver on Monday.

Obama is slated to arrive Tuesday night on Air Force One. He has a fundraising appearance slated that night, The Denver Post's Allison Sherry reports. Obama will appear at the Pepsi Center with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, according to Hancock's schedule.

As Denver and the West become increasingly more important to Barack Obama's re-election efforts, Mayor Hancock may get to share some of the spotlight. We've previously written at length about Hancock's efforts to shop his story to the national media, and appearing alongside the President of the United States goes a long way towards getting recognition for Hancock's inspiring narrative.

Of course, that's more a function of 2012's emphasis on Colorado as a bellwether than anything Hancock's PR team has done. Either way, though, Hancock has to be thrilled with his timing: he gets to appear alongside the first African-American president as Denver's widely supported African-American mayor.

This is going to look particularly great for Hancock, especially with other Colorado leaders giving the President a cooler reception. In fact, we think that it's not too presumptuous to assume that Hancock wants to be Obama's western spokesman, so to speak. It would certainly be the easiest way to rake in mainstream media appearances.  

No On 300 Slams Opponents for...an Attack Puppet?

by: Denver Pols

Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 09:44:44 AM MST

So strong, in fact, that you may even demand an apology from...an attack puppet?

From the No on 300 Campaign:

Local Denver businesses demand apology from out-of-state group for "Rick" the small-business-attack puppet

'Shameful' campaign tactic tries to scare customers away from Denver small businesses in latest stunt

DENVER: Local businesses demanded an apology from the out-of-state special interest group behind Initiative 300 Sunday after the group actively tried to scare customers away from shops and restaurants using a puppet they created to attack small businesses.

The group used "Rick," the proponents' small-business-attack puppet, to try to harm the reputation of shops and restaurants by actively scaring away customers.

"It is shameful that some group from out of state thinks it's ok to try to scare customers away from our local businesses and actively hurt our local economy," said Tami Door, President and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. "It has never been more clear: if you support Denver's local economy, you cannot support Initiative 300 and their unbelievably tone-deaf tactics."

This is ridiculous. We're sure that the No On 300 team could easily find some other way to label the "Yes" effort as dirty. But to attack a puppet? What is this press release trying to accomplish? First of all, we've never seen a puppet attack anything, let alone a small business. But if we give the press release the benefit of the doubt and there really is some sort of dastardly puppet haranguing small businesses, is it really the best political strategy to point it out in a lengthy press release?

Folks, it's hard to make people get angry about a puppet. Sure, groups like Focus on the Family might oppose Bert and Ernie's lifestyle choices, but nobody can attack a puppet without looking sophomoric.

How are people supposed to react to this press release? "Oh, that dirty sick leave campaign is up to its no-good tricks again! Someone has to put a stop to their perversion of puppets! Jim Henson must be rolling around in his grave!"

Fine, we get it. The Yes on 300 campaign shouldn't be using an attack puppet to harass small businesses, or whatever. But the No on 300 campaign shouldn't ask for an apology over a puppet and expect that voters or the media are going to take them seriously.

If the only criticism you can make against moving forward with paid sick leave for Denver workers is that its proponents are misusing a puppet, we gotta say, it makes your case look pretty weak indeed.  

DPS Candidates Say, "Thanks, Dubya!"

by: Denver Pols

Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 07:48:04 AM MST

Former President George W. Bush says he continues to have a "great passion" for education even though he considers himself to only be an observer in politics these days.

Bush made the remarks Thursday morning in Denver after meeting with Mayor Michael Hancock and local education leaders at Get Smart Schools, a nonprofit Colorado group that trains principals for innovation and charter schools...

"President Bush really starts with the heads of the school. He believes they set the tone for the school to hold schools accountable," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said. "So he really talked about accountability and how it's important to make sure the leader of the institution sets the right tone for achievement and accomplishments.

Bush says that an "excellent school must first have an excellent leader."

"It was good to hear what led [Bush] to really push for No Child Left Behind, and it was about accountability," Hancock said...

Adds UPI:

Bush...avoided talking about possible legislative changes to his administration's No Child Left Behind law, The Denver Post reported...

"He's someone who has been there done that, so it was good just to get some ideas from him," Hancock said. "It was perfect timing for me to have the opportunity to hear what led him to create (the No Child Left Behind) legislation."

Now of course that's the same No Child Left Behind Act that has been panned recently by just about everybody debating education, from Sens. Rand Paul to Michael Bennet--the former, as we discussed this week, maybe not really forthright about it when it comes time to legislate, but still very much in lip-service agreement that NCLB has been a failure. Bennet has emerged as a leading proponent of sweeping overhaul.

Let's talk about the optics of Bush's visit with DPS elections right around the corner.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has endorsed the three Denver Public School Board candidates loosely identified as the "reform slate." In the closing weeks of a bitter, extremely well-financed campaign, the allegations being exchanged between these candidates are getting pretty acrimonious. Would a loss by reformers lead to an immediate halt to reform efforts at DPS, and the summary ouster of superintendent Tom Boasberg? Would victorious reformers support a religious school voucher program a la Douglas County?

In all probability, neither of those outcomes are likely, and any changes will be more gradual than it ever feels two weeks before the election. But with the rhetoric at a fever pitch on both sides, we cannot see how Bush's visit to Denver--a visit rescheduled from February to less than two weeks before the elections--is going to settle anybody's nerves. As the face of NCLB, not to mention a former President whose historical legacy in general is, to put it mildly, hotly debated, the possibility of this visit affecting voter sentiment in the DPS elections is quite real. Hancock's praise for Bush and the universally reviled NCLB is a political risk in the context of these school board races, and his endorsements, that we would never have taken.

Big Money, Bad Judgment, Usual Suspects Swamp DPS Board Race

by: Denver Pols

Tue Oct 18, 2011 at 08:52:00 AM MST

Denver school board candidates who consider themselves "outsiders" are accusing three other candidates of working together as a kind of unofficial slate backed by hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. The detractors contend that a school reform agenda initially spearheaded by former DPS Superintendant and current U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet - and now being carried out by his successor, Tom Boasberg - is behind the effort to secure three of Denver's seven school board seats that will be decided Nov. 1 in an all-mail election.

More specifically, at-large candidate Happy Haynes, southeast Denver District 1 candidate Anne Rowe and Jennifer Draper Carson from District 5 in northwest Denver have - according to their opponents in the race - allowed "deceptive attacks" to "tarnish" the Denver School Board race in their quest to advance a reform agenda that includes privatizing public schools...

The controversy erupted in the same week the first campaign finance reports for the race were filed. Made public on Tuesday, the filings suggest that the three so-called "slate" candidates have strong backing from the same group of six wealthy Coloradans, including University of Colorado President Bruce Benson and former University of Denver Chancellor Daniel Ritchie, currently chairman and CEO of the Denver Center for Performing Arts. When Benson secured his post at the university, he promised school officials that he would not endorse candidates or otherwise get involved in partisan causes. The Denver school board race, however, is non-partisan.

In total, the six donors contributed $261,000 - split evenly - to the same three candidates - Haynes, Rowe and Draper Carson. A $30,000 contribution was made by Benson; $78,000 came from Ritchie, $75,000 was listed from Henry Gordon, president of Strata Capital in Englewood; a $30,000 contribution was made by Scott Reiman, founder of Hexagon Investments in Denver; $15,000 was reported in the filings from Richard Saunders, founder of Saunders Construction in Centennial; and Kent Thiry, chief executive of DaVita Inc., gave $30,000. Richard Sapkin, managing principal with Edgemark Development LLC in Denver, donated an additional $10,000 each to Haynes and Rowe.

The campaign contributions are said to be some of the most significant in the history of Denver School Board elections...

The battles over "reform" plans at Denver Public Schools have been raging since now-Sen. Michael Bennet was superintendent. As most of our readers know, we've taken a generally dim view of the over-the-top attacks on Bennet, his successor Tom Boasberg, and the continuous state of petty controversy on this board. The dismally failed attempt earlier this year to recall board member Nate Easley, and dubious relationship between that effort and fellow board member Andrea Merida, are all matters of record. We thought then, and still believe, that the recall attempt was foolhardy to an embarrassing extreme for everyone involved.

What a shame, then, that the "reformers" seem determined to make us eat our words: GOP kingpin-turned CU President Bruce Ben$on's huge checks to these candidates add partisan stigma to their campaigns, even with a thin excuse that it's not a partisan race--he still pledged to stay out of politics. And remember, there was a legislative attempt to put fundraising limits on these races--a bill scuttled by Republicans. Now we're in a situation where school board candidates are raising more money than some congressional candidates?

That's just not right, folks.

In fact, it invites the sort of attacks we have tried to defend them from. For example, it was disclosed last week over at Squarestate that Nate Easley actually attended a party celebrating the Douglas County School District's embattled religious school voucher program last May--given the lines that have been drawn on this board between "reformers" like Easley and their "progressive" opposition, it's hard to imagine a more foolish thing to have done. While we don't believe that Easley would support a program like Douglas County's in Denver, and even if he did we can't possibly imagine it passing...would he like to explain celebrating it?

In the end, all of these circumstances combine to create a situation that in all probability looks much worse than it actually is--the boogeyman of Douglas County's religious vouchers is most unlikely in Denver, and statistics show pretty clearly that reform efforts at DPS have generally improved graduation and college entry rates. But the flood of money and bad judgment could result in this election flunking, if you will, the "smell test." Which sometimes matters a lot more.

Brian Schweitzer Stumping for Sirota

by: Denver Pols

Mon Oct 03, 2011 at 12:47:22 PM MST

Needless to say, Sirota and Schweitzer have a pretty friendly relationship. Case in point, this e-mail we received from the Sirota for Schools campaign:

Please join Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher, Rep. Joe Miklosi & City Councilwoman Deb Ortega  at a fundraising dinner on October 13th at 6pm for School Board Candidate Emily Sirota featuring a keynote speech by

Montana Governor
Brian Schweitzer

Thursday, October 13th from 6pm-8pm at Beau Jo's
2710 S. Colorado Blvd (Colorado & Yale)

This is a huge get for Sirota. It's a testament to the relationship that Emily and her husband have with the governor, sure, but even then, this is a pretty big deal for a school board race. It'd be amazing for almost any race, but for the DPS School Board? It's so big that it's unheard of. The sitting Governor of Montana - and one of the most popular governors in America - is stumping and fundraising for a local election.

It's this kind of event that will give Sirota an edge over opponent Anne Rowe. Sure, Rowe can make a big deal about "out-of-state" influence impacting the race, but that's a moot point. This event is going to raise a ton of cash for Sirota and get her news coverage in the Denver newspaper and pretty much every evening broadcast on the 13th. We could even see it getting some national news. It's a game changer.

Schweitzer's endorsement and appearance also raises questions about the prescience of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's endorsement of Anne Rowe over Sirota so early on. Normally, we'd say that the endorsement of the mayor of the city in which you're running for school board is a pretty big deal. When you compare the endorsement of a four-month-old mayor with that of a twice-elected governor of national renown, though, Sirota's the hands-down winner.

If we were Michael Hancock, we'd be questioning whether or not getting behind Anne Rowe was the savviest move. It's certainly not a good idea for a western Democratic mayor to be on the opposite side of Brian Schweitzer. It's definitely not something John Hickenlooper would do.

If anything, this is evidence that Hancock still needs to take it easy in the early days of his administration. He's not a national figure, yet, as much as it seems that he'd like to be. And in a DPS proxy fight with someone like Schweitzer, it's hard to see how Hancock could possibly come out on top.  

Hancock Goes DPS Endorsement Crazy

by: Denver Pols

Mon Oct 03, 2011 at 12:05:44 PM MST

Hancock won't stop there, it seems. From an e-mail we received on Friday:

Dear Friends,

These are challenging times.  Far too many of our children are dropping out of school. Far too many of our children are hungry. Far too many of our children are growing up without an opportunity to grow and thrive.

I truly believe that in the years ahead, whether it is 10, 20 or 50 years from now, people will look back and judge us on our courage, on our wisdom, and on our leadership.

People will not care what side of an issue we were on and they will not care about the labels we assign. They will only care that we did our best - our very best - to live up to our civic duty to create a better future for our children.

I believe Anne Rowe shares the same dedication that I do to building a world-class education system right here in Denver. That is why I am proud to endorse her candidacy for the District 1 Denver School Board.

We understand why Hancock endorsed Haynes in her at-large race. She took a risk early on in endorsing his Mayoral bid, and his subsequent endorsement is really the least he can do. It's not like it's a risky endorsement, either; Happy is the frontrunner by leaps and bounds over her four competitors. Hancock's not really taking a chance in burning any bridges because that race has so many candidates; it's not a grudge match.

It is curious, however, that Hancock is endorsing in the District 1 race between Rowe and her opponent Emily Sirota. Sirota, wife of politico, columnist, and drive-time talk radio host David Sirota, is definitely going to give Rowe a run for her money. Sirota might even beat Rowe. Unlike Haynes' race, where Hancock is more or less endorsing the candidate most likely to win, the Hancock-endorsed candidate could lose. Imagine if Rowe did lose. That's embarrassing for any Mayor, but critically embarrassing for someone inaugurated four months ago. Hancock's acting like he has all the sway that John Hickenlooper had after years on the job. He doesn't, and one guaranteed way to lose a lot of political clout is to endorse candidates who don't win. Hancock just gave himself an even greater incentive to campaign for Haynes and Rowe; it's going to look really bad if either end up in second place on election day.  

Last Day to Register to Vote

by: Denver Pols

Mon Oct 03, 2011 at 11:27:50 AM MST

We've heard from a couple of people who said that they couldn't get the SOS's "address change" portion of its website to work correctly. If you're having any problems with any type of voter registration issue, let us know in the comments or at webmaster@coloradopols.com.

Gessler Never Stops (Looking For Ways To Suppress Votes)

by: Denver Pols

Tue Sep 20, 2011 at 15:47:49 PM MST

The latest move by Colorado's controversial Secretary of State Scott Gessler, which, make no mistake, will have the effect of reducing the number of votes cast in future elections, is nevertheless a little more complex than meets the eye--KDVR's Eli Stokols reports:

"The City of Denver has consistently provided all eligible voters with ease of access to the voting franchise and we continue to do so," [Denver Clerk and Recorder Debra] Johnson said in a statement of her own.

"This is a fundamental issue of fairness and keeping voting accessible to as many eligible voters as possible."

In Gessler's view, it's currently against the law for county clerks to mail ballots to inactive voters; even though Johnson points out Denver has done so in its five previous mail ballot elections.

Gessler cites a state statute that reads: "the designated election official shall mail to each active registered elector."

In a sign of a possible Denver Post editorial to come, Editorial Page Editor Curtis Hubbard tweeted Monday night: "Sorry, but I don't see 'ONLY active voters' in statute. [Pols emphasis]

Gessler, who was unsuccessful in advancing legislation earlier this year that would have required photo ID to register to vote, drawing strong criticism from progressive groups, said he's not trying to limit turnout in the state's most populated and heavily Democratic city...

But of course that's what the bottom line is--Gessler is demanding that counties who adhere to an inclusive standard of providing ballots to all registered voters, like Denver, instead follow a "lowest common denominator" approach. What Gessler seems to want is adherence to the most restrictive standard possible--mandated denial of mailed ballots to registered voters who may have missed the 2010 elections unless they take affirmative steps to "activate" their registration.

Much like the recent controversy over Gessler's demands to purge the voters rolls of "suspected" illegal voters, or his rule changes on primary election expenditures that reduce transparency, Gessler is attempting to resolve ambiguity in the law on the side of partisan political goals. Remember, these are not people accused or suspected of any problems with their voter registration--simply listed as "inactive" after having missed one election. With that in mind, Gessler has a major credibility problem trying to force a change this significant: an indelible, wholly self-inflicted partisan reputation that casts everything he does in suspicion--especially actions, like this one, that will result in fewer registered and eligible voters participating.

Lynn Bartels of the Denver paper reported that a law temporarily requiring mail ballots to be sent to all voters was in place for the last election cycle but was not reauthorized. During debate over this law back in 2008, we understand that proponents suggested Colorado's policy regarding "inactive" voters and mail ballots could violate the federal Voting Rights Act. Politically, if the situation comes to a head we suspect that the voting public will prefer to receive mail ballots automatically--even if they happen to miss one election.

But there's something bigger needing acknowledgement: it's becoming increasingly obvious that Secretary of State Gessler simply doesn't prioritize access to the ballot. Indeed, Gessler has emerged as actively hostile to the goal of facilitating convenient access to the franchise by eligible voters. If that's not what we want for the next three years, the Colorado legislature must do what it can, as quickly as it can, to close as many loopholes and ambiguities in election law as possible before Gessler finds a way to use them against lawful Colorado voters.

If this state of affairs disgusts you, that's even more proof: elections matter.

Hancock Endorses Happy Haynes

by: Denver Pols

Mon Sep 19, 2011 at 14:56:04 PM MST

That said, DPS School Board At-Large candidate Happy Haynes today announced a high-profile, if not unexpected, endorsement from Mayor Michael Hancock.

I grew up under some pretty difficult circumstances, and many, many people helped me along the way, including the educators at Denver Public Schools. They gave me every opportunity to triumph over adversity. They never gave up on me, and they taught me that if I worked hard in school and seized every chance I got, I would succeed.

The future leaders of our City are sitting in our classrooms today. We need to act now to ensure they get the best education possible because, for too many of Denver's kids, this is their one and only shot at a better life.

That's why Mary Louise and I wholeheartedly endorse Happy Haynes for the at-large seat on Denver Public Schools' Board of Education. Happy will make every decision based on the answer to one overriding question: Is it best for kids?

Throughout my campaign for Mayor of this great city, I heard time and again that residents and businesses want our schools to improve. As the parents of two DPS students, Mary Louise and I want that too. Electing Happy Haynes is a strong step in the right direction.

Like me, Happy is a proud DPS graduate. She served on City Council for 13 years - for two years as Council President - and was the Mayor's liaison to City Council and the DPS Assistant for Community Partnerships.  Happy has the experience and passion to lead our schools to better days.  But more than anything, she knows that our schools must improve if we are to provide the best path forward for our kids and for our City.  She has the knowledge and determination to achieve real results for Denver's kids as a member of the School Board.

Happy was well, um...pleased to endorse Hancock in his bid for the Mayor's office, and it's only logical that he's reciprocating. The two have been friends for years, and while we don't think Happy's race will be nearly as controversial or competitive as Hancock's, an endorsement from the sitting Mayor of Denver will always go a long way. Remember, it was rumored that Haynes would be tapped to serve as Hancock's chief-of-staff, so we think that Hancock will end up doing a lot more for her campaign than just sending a few e-mails.  

Happy to Have a Headquarters

by: Denver Pols

Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 15:55:17 PM MST

That point aside, former Denver City Councilwoman and 2011 School Board candidate Happy Haynes is having a grand opening of her headquarters tomorrow night, and you're invited. Well, we assume that you're invited.

From the Happy Haynes campaign:

Please Join Happy Haynes
Candidate for DPS School Board At-Large

For our Campaign Headquarters Grand Opening

Thursday, September 15th
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Campaign Headquarters
3215 E. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO

We're sure the campaign would be happy to see you there. It's also happy to accept your contributions if you can't make it. We're happy that these puns write themselves...sorry.

"Final" Reapportionment Maps Released

by: Denver Pols

Thu Sep 08, 2011 at 20:04:19 PM MST

As complex as they are colorful, the "finalized" maps of the Colorado Reapportionment Commission are now available for your viewing pleasure.

We'll be detailing how these new maps will affect Denver soon, but in the meantime, head on over to the commission's website to check them out for yourself.  

Andrea Merida's Political Posturing

by: Denver Pols

Fri Sep 02, 2011 at 09:33:14 AM MST

A school board seat isn't exactly the type of position you can easily use as a stepping stone, either. Sure, you can make incredible connections, but it's even easier to amass a sizable list of opponents. That's why it takes a special kind of person to serve on school boards, especially in Denver Public Schools. They have to be the kind of person who'd actually want to serve on a school board; sometimes you get amazing advocates for public schools, and sometimes you get entry-level politicians a little too proud of their title.

Cue Andrea Merida, southwest Denver's district two director. Merida is a controversial figure in all of Denver politics; she's picked numerous high-profile fights, including a few with other board members. We're not here to discuss whether or not Merida has been a positive or negative influence on the direction of Denver's schools; that's a debate best left to Denver's parents and her constituents.

What we will say, however, is that we continue to be shocked by Merida's lack of political instinct. From her very first second on the board, Merida has been a constant source of controversy due in large part to some incredibly poor political posturing.

Let's start at the beginning, really. On the day of her swearing in, Merida secured a court order enabling her to take her seat on the board just hours before she would've been sworn in as scheduled. She did so to vote against iconic reforms at Lake Middle School, and though we're sure she had her reasons, the move defined her as a member. In taking her seat early, Merida swiftly and dramatically ended the tenure of her predecessor, Michelle Moss, without giving Moss the opportunity to say farewell or reflect on her past eight years on the board. Alan Gotlieb, the usually mild-mannered editor of the renowned Education News Colorado, compared the move to "a four-year-old ripping open her Christmas presents on December 23." In this space, we noted that "Andrea Merida couldn't have been more inappropriate and disrespectful if she had showed up in a 'Fuck Denver' t-shirt." The measure that Merida grabbed the headlines to vote against ended up passing, and thus began Merida's rather unique habit of posturing for posturing's sake.