Lakewood residents packed city hall Monday to share their concerns with council about helping Denver alleviate a migrant crisis that’s cost the Mile High City $42 million to care for nearly 36,000 of Biden’s open border crossers.
Residents wanted a clear answer as to exactly what this “good neighbor” agreement entails that city council is so eager to reach with Denver.
The vague details since council first agreed to help Denver last month are what has sparked residents’ fears that Loveland plans to take on housing support and other costly measures without public input.
The public certainly got their say last night.
They don’t want Lakewood to become an extension of Denver’s Sanctuary City’s problems by shifting shelters or other resources onto their neighborhoods, or to steer the migration of the not-yet-legal population to settle in Lakewood.
Residents expressed concerns the city’s elected officials are playing word games with them and being sketchy about their talks and proposed agreement with Denver.
And residents are correct. The councils’ claims don’t make a lot of sense, and it still sounds sketchy.
Colorado Public Radio sent a human being to report on the meeting and fairly covered both sides of the issue. That’s opposed to the disgruntled and snark-riddled play-by-play of Kyle Clark of 9News who continued to be a prick on social media.
From Public Radio:
The mayor told residents the city is not planning on spending money for migrant services.
Instead, staff say, Denver has asked Lakewood for two things: get the word out about resources that Denver has made available; and encourage Lakewood residents to volunteer and/or donate to Denver’s established programs.
Residents could choose to become host families for new immigrants; donate certain in-demand items of clothing; volunteer for the city or for nonprofits or faith-based organizations involved in the response; or donate money.
That certainly sounds neighborly. Surely Kyle Clark has already opened his home to host complete strangers.
What we don’t understand is why a city council needs to have talks with another city council or sign secretive “good neighbor” agreements if all they’re planning to do is encourage residents to volunteer or donate their time, goods, or services?
It’s a free country. Residents of any city in Colorado can already do that.
They don’t need permission from local government.
No wonder residents are skeptical.
Meanwhile, Colorado Springs and Aurora are also preparing to deal with a possible migrant overflow into their cities. Or as Clark would call it, being anti-migrant.
Lakewoodl was supposed to finalize that good neighbor agreement at last night’s meeting, but that didn’t happen.
KDVR reports the council “at some point” will hold a vote on whether to continue talks with Denver.
Lakewood residents are right to want to read the fine print on any agreement the city signs for any action it takes on any issue, and should not be mocked or called names for their concerns.