register |  login
› LAKEWOOD
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
RECENT STORIES

Mayoral election: I am in a quandary
Contributed by: Allan Berger on 9/24/2007

I seem to have two good reasons for not voting for mayor.

First, there is Bob Murphy, who is, without question, the most qualified candidate out there. But, he has a problem. His supporters accuse me and those who agree with me of costing the city $250,000 in a special election. They might have a point, if their side had prevailed. But it did not. The fact is that the city wasted $250,000 because the city council had agreed to a bad deal. So, problem 1 - hubris.

And it leads to problem 2. Bob Murphy was the mayor's surrogate in the election. He was the council member who developed the Rooney Ranch development plan. Yet, he let us get a bum deal to vote on and to pass. One can conclude from the vote fiasco: a) that Bob is an idiot, b) that Bob is in the pocket of Carma, or c) that Bob is naive.

I would like to think that non of the above is correct. Nevertheless, I wonder how I can trust Bob's judgment to be mayor if he made such a huge political error just last year.

Second, there is Rita Bertolli. She has no experience in city government that I know of. Her only experience is opposing government. We need an opposition, and her leadership in the Carma election, in getting the petitions filed, at least, was an impressive feat. But, for a mayor, we need someone who can get things done. If we elect her, I fear the city council will never be able to anything done, because there will be four or five members of the council who would rather eat their dogs than cooperate with Rita.

And, frankly, I am unsure whether Rita has the wherewithal and the ability to run the city council.

So, we have Bob Murphy, the consumate insider candidate. And we have Rita Bertolli, the leader of the rebel forces, as it were.

I would like to ask Bob how we can be sure he is acting on behalf of us, and not "them", the developers. In other words, after last November and December, how can we trust you, Bob?

I would like to ask Rita how in the world she expects to run an effective city council, when, to my knowledge, there has not ever been a kind word between her and anyone on the city council or employed by the city. In other words, how will you mend the fences, Rita?

Click here to read Rita's response.


SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story



Current Rating
Based on 3 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
Submitted By: Mike Burns
posted on 9/24/2007 @ 10:19:17 PM
Rated Story
I think Mr. Berger is in a serious quandry. To think that Bob Murphy is the most qualified canditate out there is ridiculous. To question whether the city or Rita cost the taxpayers a quarter million dollars is absurd. The residents obviously answered that question! And as for your problem number 2, I think Bob Murphy is all of the above! As for Rita, have you ever had an intelligent conversation with Rita or are you spouting off? In a debate, Rita would put Murphy to shame, even on her worst day! Maybe you should go to a council meeting,or to her Q and A sessions at Starbucks at First and Wadsworth any Monday at 5:30pm and find out for yourself just how intelligent Rita Bertolli is!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Rita Bertolli
posted on 9/24/2007 @ 12:37:05 PM
(Not Rated)
Oh, one more thing: there are more City employees than you know in Lakewood that are not part of the poor leadership we see on the outside. I'm happy to explain more one on one. I'm confident this change is going to be an immensely positive one for Lakewood one many levels.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Rita Bertolli
posted on 9/24/2007 @ 12:33:28 PM
(Not Rated)
Also, Alan, (sorry two comments, but there's a limit on comment length) Councilors sit on an elected board to represent Citizens. I don't expect them to cooperate with anything if it is not in the interest of the people they represent. But I do expect them to represent and I expect them to know how their consituents feel (clearly they do not). Their job is to come to the table with their citizen voices. Anyone that knows me knows I listen well. I'm not a career politician, I am young, I would say I'm probably a bit more open minded because of that. But I do expect people to debate logical arguments. I see too much emotion on council. I see weak leadership driving that. I see councilors that are not participating in the decision-making process anymore than the citizens are. All I ask is for the debate--and if our Councilors truly care about this City, they will welcome the breath of fresh air!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Rita Bertolli
posted on 9/24/2007 @ 12:21:41 PM
(Not Rated)
Hi Alan, Two of the City Councilors support me: Vick Stack and Doug Anderson. I believe that the rest of the councilors--once we get Mike Rock off line--will also have a different perspective when they get to run their own meetings under my leadership instead of having Mike Rock sit at the table and threaten them into voting yes or no. We need change. That change happens when we build coalitions, but those ties cannot be created without someone who is really going to lead. My history (outside of politics) speaks for itself. I think my platform--rebel force by necessity perhaps--is in alignment with citizens who are yearning for change. My job is precisely that: to bring those voices to the table and create synergy with healthy debate. I don't think it's fair to make statements without knowing more about the landscape, the issues, and the people of Lakewood.
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Allan Berger

Lakewood , CO

Allan Berger has posted 34 stories and 120 comments since joining on 12/1/2006. Allan Berger 's average story rating is 3.48.
SAVE AND SHARE THIS STORY
STORY RSS FEEDS
WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?
Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is register, then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyone what events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by The Denver Newspaper Agency
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
buy photos