Value All Opinions, Says Council President
“I hope it is because I am a good listener,” says Susman in a Greater Park Hill News interview. “When someone is giving me their viewpoint, I try to see (the situation) the way they do. That can go a long way to working out solutions together.”
In spite of some high profile issues, Susman says she actually expected more controversies when she sought election about two years ago. “I spent years planning Lowry (redevelopment) and the controversy was hot and divisive. Then I spent time on the Denver Planning Board when we were limiting the height of buildings on the 16th Street Mall, and we were viewed as limiting property rights. It’s where I learned from (former mayoral candidate) Don Bain that one of the better definitions of ‘consensus’ is ‘we’re feeling surly, but not rebellious.’”
Susman’s district ranges from central Park Hill south of 23rd Avenue, east to Yosemite, south through Montclair, Mayfair, Cranmer-Hilltop, Lowry, George Washington, and Virginia Vale, and west to Colorado Boulevard and Alameda.
She says the district is really more diverse than most people think it is, with differing incomes, political affiliations, ages, and ethnicities. “In a group of six of us, you’ll have eight opinions. You stay in touch, and you listen hard to those who disagree with you. I fear ‘group think’ in political decisions.”
Perhaps one of the tougher issues Susman faces is redevelopment of the old University of Colorado Hospital at 9th and Colorado. When it recently became clear through community opinion and financial analysis that a Walmart store was not the right approach, Susman and District 10 Councilwoman Jeanne Robb said they would not support Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
“We need more rooftops, mixed use, and density,” say Susman. “You’ve got to have the new base that supports retail, instead of just drawing spending away from other areas. We have to use good urban planning, focus on best practice, determine what’s good and what’s possible, and keep the community well and prosperous.”
Susman would like to see “a Brooklyn kind of neighborhood” at 9th and Colorado, with mixed use smaller retail and denser low-rise housing. “High density housing is really more ecological,” explains Susman. “And restoring the street grid actually reduces traffic congestion.”
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recently rejected a proposal to de-designate nine acres of Hentzell Park Natural Area in far southeast Denver. Mayor Michael B. Hancock wanted to trade the parkland for a Denver Public Schools office building downtown. Calling the proposal a “complex” matter, Susman says she wants to make sure she hears “all thoughts” on the subject if it ends up at Council.
An advocate of libraries, Susman is pleased with recent voter approval of new tax revenues. “It’s very exciting that every (branch) library will now be open at least 48 hours each week,” she observes. “I am pleased we didn’t make a (library) district and we voted for funds to increase access.”
The ban on urban camping was “a soul searching issue” says Susman.
“That was hard, but in the end, I felt the ban (on outdoor sleeping) would produce more humane solutions.” According to Susman, the ordinance is working and the city is trying to find ways of sheltering homeless people. “It’s a problem that’s not going away, and is not going to be solved easily,” says Susman.
She says Council has an important role in helping to create new jobs with livable wages. “We need to spend our incentive dollars as much as we can on primary industries that produce wealth in our economy. As Council, we need to support opportunities for primary industries. Service industries only absorb consumer dollars that need to be created elsewhere. For example, if primary industries create new jobs, the employees can earn livable wages to spend on goods and services.”
Government and business must work closely with educational institutions to provide the right kind of education at the right time, according to Susman. “We need to look at the criteria for family sufficient jobs. We can’t continue to educate people for jobs if there are no openings.”
She speaks with expertise about education. Before going into government work, she was instrumental in creating three nationwide online colleges in Colorado, Kentucky, and Louisiana. She retired as vice president of the Colorado Community College System in 2004.
In an unusual move, Susman appointed her campaign opponent as the District 5 representative on the Parks Advisory Board. “In keeping with my previous philosophy statement, one needs to give voice to those who may differ. Leslie Twarogowski and I became friends on the campaign. She is a thoughtful, committed advocate for Denver and a future leader for us.”
Susman has lived in the same house in Hilltop for 37 years. She comes from a military family and spent much of her childhood in Goose Bay, Labrador. She is a graduate of Creighton University of Omaha in Philosophy, later earning her Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Sociology at the University of Denver.
Contact Dave Felice at gelato321@aol.com.