On July 18, Michael Hancock will be sworn in as Denver’s 45th mayor, charged with the solemn duty of guiding our city’s ship of state on its journey through the ever-shifting seas of economic, social and technological challenge.
By what measure will we judge Mr. Hancock’s success or failure? To what standard must he aspire? Is it enough that he keep our streets paved and plowed, our neighborhoods safe and our budget balanced? Or do we dare ask more?
What should we expect from this young chief executive whose demanding early years were such a dramatic piece of the campaign that brought him to this highest of our city’s governmental posts?
John Hickenlooper burst on the political scene in 2003, elected to the office of Mayor of Denver, succeeding Wellington E. Webb. Boasting a master’s degree in geology and nearly two decades of experience in the local business community, Denverites got what they might have expected from such a resume.
During his time in office, former restaurateur Hickenlooper declared the doors to the city “open for business,” and was an aggressive advocate for development. In approaching technical matters –zoning, planning, public works – geologist Hickenlooper assembled the best team of experts he could find, and placed matters in their hands.
Life in the Hickenlooper era was characterized by a “from the top, down” style of governance. Public opinion was frequently sought out, but the oft-stated public feeling was that the feedback given was not highly valued. “We’re professionals, folks. Thanks for the input – duly noted. But please, don’t try this at home, kids.”
Michael Hancock comes from a very different stew. The youngest of 10 kids, Hancock was raised by a single mother, with luxury being something that other families enjoyed, but not his. To quote from his campaign web page, “Tragically, one of Michael’s brothers died from AIDS in 1996 and Michael promised him he would always fight for justice and fairness and give voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless.”
It appears Hancock has taken seriously that promise to his brother. In addition to his service on City Council, his resumé involves working with at-risk children and families at the Denver Housing Authority; working to empower communities to resolve economic challenges and increase civic participation during his time with the National Civic League; and helping a struggling organization gain clarity of focus as CEO of the Denver affiliate of the Urban League.
We are who we are. And who we are will guide us when priorities must be established and choices must be made.
Is Michael Hancock a perfect man? I sincerely doubt that. I expect he is a combination of the self-confidence that comes from overcoming adversity and meeting goals, mixed with that inevitable bit of self-doubt that surfaces when one sits alone behind the big desk late at night, with a full serving of complicated challenges on the plate, with the buck stopping there. And, I’m guessing there are a few other chinks in his armor as well.
During the months leading up to the election, we talked with each and every candidate for mayor, including Hancock. When he left our lunchroom interview, I was struck by the grasp he had of the issues at hand, and how the broad range of stakeholders played together in different situations. And I remember saying, “He’s really bright. I think he believes what he’s saying. It doesn’t feel like a press release.”
What do I want from Michael Hancock as mayor of Denver?
For a start, I want the streets paved and plowed, I want to feel safe in my neighborhood both day and night, and I want the city budget to be balanced. I want an aggressive outreach to the business community that will bring jobs for those who have been unemployed, or underemployed, for too long.
But there is something else. I want to be valued. I’ve lived in Denver for 40 years. I want to feel my blood, tears and sweat equity carry as much weight as the planning degree acquired by someone who was born about the time I got to town.
I want to be inspired to actively participate in my own governance. I want to live in a city where 33 percent voter participation becomes a thing of the past.
I want to be able to clearly express to friends around the country and around the world, what it means to live in Denver. What are the values reflected by declaring oneself a Denverite?
And I want those values to say a hell of a lot more than “we’re open for business.”
Clearly, there needs to be more than talk. I want policies that reflect a value for small business – the vast majority of whom employ 10 people or less. I want policies that will create a focus on environmental issues – from alternative energy to bike paths that really do get you there from here – that will have the city of Denver mentioned ahead of Boulder, Colorado, and Portland, freakin’ Oregon, just one damn time before I die.
I want an initiative to come out of the mayor’s office that makes an impact on our public school system. I want a relationship between Denver the city and Denver the school district that works in the best interest of our children and our families, and by virtue of that, in the best interests of all who would call Denver home.
And I want Denver to continue to tear down the barriers that parcel out civil rights more completely to some groups than to others, be that based on race, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.
Yeah, I’m looking for a lot from Michael Hancock. I don’t know if he’s up to the task, but I thought it was only fair that he know my hopes and dreams.
But, if he gets too busy, and I’m asked to choose just one thing over the others on which our new mayor could hang his hat, I’d like it to be that, “He would always fight for justice and fairness, and give voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless.”
Go get ‘em, Mayor Mike.
