Wellington Webb

[sandnsea]

Can you guys tell me a little about this guy? I'm trying to get past the politics of the DNC chair and more into the management styles and views of the people themselves.

And do you ever get his name backwards, ha. I almost typed Webb Wellington.

[Richardo]

1. I lived in Denver when he was Chief of Police

Pretty Democratic city (and state) back then (80s). Mayor Federico Pena, Governor Romer, etc.


Sorry, I don't remember anything specific about his tenure though.

Didn't he run for mayor? Was he ever elected?

[bush_is_wacko]

2. Yes, he ran for Mayor and was elected

I believe he served two terms. He is what I consider a conservative Democrat, unlike Dick Lamm, who was a little wacko, but VERY liberal. In his second term Webb was accused and pretty much proved to be guilty of cronyism. He gave no-bid contracts away like candy during the construction of DIA. He also gave very high paying jobs to friends and relatives. If I remember rightly, he appointed his step-son to a government position, despite the fact he was a low-life who did absolutely nothing. The Denver Post/ Rocky Mountain news probably have some archived articles regarding these accusations. Webb did do some good things during his term, but I can't get over the cronyism. I have already written the DNC regarding his nomination and Tim Roemer's nomination for DNC chair. So far, I'm backing Dean. He doesn't have such glaring deficiencies in his record as far as I can tell.

Edited for dumb typing mistakes, per usual.

[bush_is_wacko]

3. My bad, Webb served three terms. Here is a recent article

from the Denver Post that includes a little information regarding his cronyism. I know there is a lot more out there, but I haven’t been able to find it on a quick search.


http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0%2C1413%2C36~33997~2608416%2C00.html


<<snip>>
But also during his tenure, Denver's soaring real-estate values made it hard for low-income people, part of Webb's political base, to get into the housing market. The Police Department, shaken by internal problems, resisted Webb's efforts at reform. And Webb left his successor, John Hickenlooper, a $70 million budget shortfall that forced medical clinics to close and libraries to cut hours.

Webb's years also saw ethics controversies, ranging from hiring his daughter and son for city jobs and contracts to city managers who failed to pay income taxes and used city offices for personal gain.
Watchdogs - such as those at Colorado Common Cause - laud his support for a 2001 city ethics law but note that Webb's own conduct largely inspired the bill in the first place.
<<end snip>>

[coloradodem2005]

4. Kind of funny.

Lamm went way right recently. He has appeared with Congressman Tancredo about illegal immigration and supported Amendment 31, which put restrictions on ESL programs in schools. That was a really bad and overly strict initiative. Romer, Owens and Salazar were all against it.

[paulk]

5. he was my mayor for twelve years

he's got ethics problems, as posted upthread.

He was ok for the first six years, then he figured out which side his bread was buttered on. He became a total sell out to the real estate and development community, IMHO. The zoning committee he appointed was nothing but a bunch of bobble head dolls, rubber stamping whatever project came through.

I won't go into it much, but my neighborhood fought a local development - we went before City Council twice and the Zoning Committee once. The architect and the Committee members were on a first name basis; lots of jawing and backslapping. They absolutely pissed on us. It was one of the most insulting experiences of my adult life. My little old lady schoolteacher neighbor was so upset by the contempt we were treated with she sat down in the hallway after the meeting and cried.

I'm not a big fan of Mr. Webb's.

[sandnsea]

6. Well crud

That doesn't sound good at all. Which is why I asked. *sigh* Back to the drawing board.

Thanks everybody who posted!

[DonMeyer]

7. Very Dirty Pol

I much prefer Howard Dean as a better fundraiser.