Editor’s Note: The Stories That Bind Us
Prediction: No Shortage Of News In The Year Ahead
By Cara DeGette
Editor, GPHN
Park Hill is fortunate to have a population that includes high-profile political activists, social justice advocates, artists, educators and community leaders. Our neighbors run the gamut, from the intelligent to the creative to the curmudgeonly. And our newspaper often reflects that.
Over the past year, we have covered a multitude of critical neighborhood issues – from the complex maneuvering by the city and developers who are intent to build out the Park Hill Golf Course land, to the city’s plan to build sidewalks (at last!). We were on the beat as the East High School hockey team became national champions — as we are this month, covering the soccer team winning the state championship. (Click here for a longer 2022 in review).
Raucous road to April
The year ahead is shaping up to be a raucous ride. The April 4 Denver municipal election is in full swing, with 19 candidates — as of this writing — already in the race for mayor. One of them, Leslie Herod, who currently represents Park Hill in the state legislature, has been running full bore for mayor — while concurrently running for reelection in November to the legislature. How is that for bold?
We’re also looking at some expected doozies of showdowns in several Denver City Council races — including in council districts 8 and 9, which include Park Hill.
One issue that will be central to the upcoming election is the future of the Park Hill Golf Course land. Last year Denver voters weighed in overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the property protected by its city-owned conservation easement. Despite that, expect Westside Investment Partners — which wants to develop the land — to launch a slick and glossy, bare-knuckle campaign to convince voters to reverse their position in April. Expect us to continue to cover this critically important issue, as it unfolds in our backyard.
Beyond the election, much will be happening in the year ahead. Whether it is covering our local businesses, schools, sustainability, neighborhood news and events, characters and happenings, you can also expect us to be there.
Dedicated and talented
At their best, newspapers balance controversial subjects via news and opinions, with feature pieces, photography, and the more lighthearted news of community that our neighbors have come to rely on. That’s what we strive for. In addition to our talented small newspaper staff, the Greater Park Hill News includes the work of a dedicated team of contributing writers and photographers. The list is far too long to include everyone by name in this space, but here are a few:
Park Hill resident Reid Neureiter’s striking, award-winning photography is often accompanied with compelling stories, and they vary dramatically in subject matter — from high school sports to backcountry adventures.
On the sustainability beat, Tracey MacDermott and Mark Kuhl provide the monthly foundation for our dedicated coverage of the impacts of the climate crisis on the planet and all living beings.
This year marks Mark Silverstein’s eighth as a contributor with his wildly popular, award-winning Page 3 Birdland photo feature. Silverstein’s images of avian life have been imitated — but never duplicated — by at least one other local publication. As they say, imitation is the best flattery. Silverstein has also branched out with a monthly Bugland feature, capturing macro images of tiny critters.
Penfield W. Tate III has provided insightful political commentary for many years. That said, starting last month, we’ve paused Tate’s column for the time being, as he is one of those aforementioned candidates, running for an at-large city council seat in April.
Their contributions are superb
Every month the librarians at the Park Hill and Pauline Robinson branches take turns providing library news and events. Leslie Williams and Tara Bannon Williamson have been joined this year by Rachel Reddick and Suzanne Gelwick-Knight, and their contributions are superb.
For three years, Anya Nitczynski has provided monthly views from a youth perspective. Park Hill Vet’s Dr. Margot Vahrenwald writes a column about caring for our furry friends. Former Greater Park Hill Community Executive Director Lana Cordes faithfully reported on the activities at world headquarters of the registered neighborhood organization. Lori Midson, who took over the position in October, has resumed the monthly updates.
For several years Park Hill Garden Walk organizer Jean Ercolani provides voluminous coverage of the annual June romp through neighborhood gardens. This year, Home Tour organizer Mary Salsich’s descriptions of featured homes in the annual September event was lovely.
If you can, this month consider a donation to our #newsCOneeds Campaign. Click HERE to make a donation.
My thanks to all, for helping to make our neighborhood newspaper what it should be — a shared experience and a must-read.