Blame for layoffs lands on Johnston
Re: “Denver’s layoffs hurt 171 families, not just the Gilmore’s,” Aug. 31 editorial
The editorial attacked the wrong elected official. We ought to praise Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore for serving as the canary in the coal mine for the mayor’s bizarre behavior. She has long asked for facts and figures, while many of us incorrectly presumed the mayor would do the right thing for our city.
Gilmore has defended her constituents and the city with passion. And her husband is her constituent. Do we want someone representing us who would not stand up for their own constituents for wrongly being targeted by a public employer? I certainly do not.
Mayor Mike Johnston’s financing and budgeting has looked like the recent accident on I-25 where a piece of construction equipment fell off the back of a truck. He just does stuff without any transparency and then tells everyone how great and transparent his work product is, without evidence.
For example, a hotel purchased with taxpayer dollars under the Hancock administration in 2021 for homelessness resolution sits vacant, while homelessness and evictions have gone up drastically. The mayor called Gilmore’s claims “factually inaccurate” but then proceeded to illuminate precisely zero facts about how that was so.
Meanwhile, the mayor continues a series of backroom meetings without telling constituents or councilmembers what he plans to do.
I have personally witnessed Gilmore helping laid-off workers and their families. I hope taxpayers ask the mayor more pointed questions about his budget actions. Thank you to Councilwoman Gilmore and her colleagues who have stood up for their constituents.
Josh Rosenblum, Denver
After spending millions of dollars on benefits for “undocumented” immigrants, it’s telling that Gov. Jared Polis and Mayor Mike Johnston both find themselves in major budget shortfalls. The mayor has announced mass layoffs for city workers and the governor has begun implementing huge cuts to state services. It seems the only sacrosanct budgets are those that support non-citizens, proving once again that Polis and Johnston are for “they/them” (illegals) instead of “we/us” (legal US citizens).
Mark Boger, Fruita
Johnston was right to de-emphasize tenure
Re: “Denver lays off 171, cuts positions,” Aug. 19 news story
Regarding city layoffs. In business, I’ve experienced this on both sides in Fortune 500 companies and the way Mayor Mike Johnston de-emphasized tenure and focused on performance is absolutely the right thing to do to increase the efficiency of our local government.
The city staffing has also ballooned disproportionately over the last few years. I can’t believe all the belly-aching going on. Clearly, these people haven’t had experience in any competitive business setting. Kudos to Mayor Johnston for taking these courageous steps.
Don Ku, Denver
U.S. strike on vessel shows Trump’s corruption
Re: “Trump says strike on vessel targeted Tren de Aragua gang,” Sept. 3 news story
Trump’s order to execute the suspected drug smugglers in international waters shows exactly how dangerous this maniac is to our country and world.
He perceives himself to be above the law. He is supported in that fantasy by a corrupt Supreme Court, puppets and lackeys in the administration, and a Republican Congress full of cowards.
And now even the military does not refuse illegal orders! The dictator is here, now!
Jim Blugerman, Georgetown
Never have I ever seen immediate, predictable accusations, like “Republicans aren’t racist, that’s prejudice.” And, “liberals like you are the problem.” People seeking love don’t act like that. Bots do. Like the “vegan couple” I matched with a month ago, who abruptly asked: “Why is exploiting animals an immoral position you are so willing to accept?” This was after an otherwise normal dialogue.
Why write a letter about either of these interactions? Because it’s possible people were on the other side of the app, it’s equally plausible that it was a bot.
AI is making it easier for political operatives to push and pull us based on the psychographic data we’ve fed to Meta et al for decades. It’s important for us to be aware that we may or may not be interacting with real people. There are well-funded political machines at play in our political landscape. So, as we put ourselves out there looking for love, beware of bots.
Nate Craig, Boulder
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