West
Denver mayor blames Republicans and Trump for $5M cuts to pay for migrant crisis
Denver is cutting $5 million from public services used by its residents in order to pay for its spiraling illegal immigration costs, with the city’s mayor pinning the blame on Republicans and former President Donald Trump.
Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, announced on Friday that hours will be cut at recreation centers, and in-person vehicle registration renewals at the DMV will end, while the planting of spring flower beds will also be stopped to save the much-needed cash.
The cuts follow the mayor’s decision last month to divert $25 million from the city budget to the migrant crisis. That plan included pulling $10 million from a contingency fund and $15 million from a building remodel. Those actions followed the city’s decision to hold many positions vacant and review new or expanded contracts and programs.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and former President Donald Trump. Johnston, a Democrat, is blaming Republicans and Donald Trump for his decision to shave $5 million from public services to pay for its migrant crisis. ( Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post, left Mario Tama/Getty Images, right)
800 MIGRANT FAMILIES BEING BOOTED FROM DENVER SHELTERS AS CITY NEARS BREAKING POINT
Johnston says the crisis will cost the city around $180 million in 2024.
“The choice by Republicans in Congress to purposefully kill a historic, bipartisan border deal this week will have a devastating impact in Denver,” Johnston said after the Republicans blocked a bipartisan border deal, which included a foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel, from advancing Wednesday.
“I’m incredibly proud of how city team members have stepped up over the past year, but it is clear that the federal government is not going to support our city,” he said, fighting back tears at a Friday press conference.
Along with these department budget cuts, the city will decrease the number of migrants it serves and will continue to monitor spending, Johnston said. Earlier this week, the city began ejecting around 800 migrant families from shelters as it scales back on aid for illegal immigrants.
About 40,000 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, have arrived in Denver over the past year, and more than 3,500 are living in city-funded hotel rooms, according to the Colorado Sun.
Migrants at a makeshift shelter in Denver, Colorado on January 13, 2023. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
DENVER MAYOR WARNS CITY IS ‘VERY CLOSE’ TO A ‘BREAKING POINT’ WITH MIGRANT SURGE
“I want it to be clear to Denverites. Who is not responsible for this crisis that we’re in [is] folks who have walked 3,000 miles to get to this city,” he said.
“Despite broad bipartisan support, I think [former President] Trump and Republican leaders saw this as a chance that if this bill actually passed, it would have successfully solved the problem facing cities and the border, and they would have rather seen it fail, so they could exacerbate these problems, extend the suffering of American people and of newcomers for their own electoral changes this November,” he said, according to The Hill.
“That was far beyond what I expected from even the most cynical of political operators.”
“Denverites have done their part, the city will do our part. The federal government failed to do their part. Addressing this crisis will require shared sacrifice, but we will continue to work together to meet this moment.”
Johnston has previously said that Denver has received more migrants per capita than any other city in the nation.
As part of the new cost-cutting measures, recreation centers will close one day each week, while DMV satellite offices will alternate closing one week at a time beginning March 4. The city will not recruit a class of nine new DMV employees.
Furthermore, Denver Parks and Recreation will cut spring programs by 25%, and regional centers will go from seven days of weekly operation to six days. Local and neighborhood centers will continue to be open six days a week but with a reduction in hours of operation.
Venezuelan migrants wait in line for food from a food truck at a migrant-processing center on May 9, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. ((Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images))
Johnston said that full-time city officials will not lose their jobs, but seasonal employees may have their hours cut or positions left open.
The sanctuary city has been struggling to stretch its limited resources to support the growing number of migrants there. Texas has transported thousands of migrants to sanctuary cities like Denver, to showcase the problems that border states face when migrants flood their cities. Johnston told Fox News last week that the city was “very close” to a breaking point due to the crisis.
The influx of migrants has also put the city’s health system at a breaking point.
About 8,000 illegal immigrants recorded about 20,000 visits to Denver Health last year, receiving services such as emergency room treatment, primary care, dental care and childbirth. The health system has also called for a federal bailout.
Denver passed laws to become a sanctuary city, but it doesn’t include a right-to-shelter provision, which means there is no official policy that compels the local government to provide shelter indefinitely.
Fox News’ Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
San Francisco police say they’re likely dealing with a first in the city: a burglar who used a driverless car as his getaway ride. What’s more, he got away with it. In under three minutes, a man slipped into Hot 8 Yoga in the Marina District, grabbed an armful of athletic wear, loaded it into the trunk of a waiting Waymo robotaxi, then rode off into the dark, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The burglary happened back in January and is just coming to light. Police have made no arrests.
Investigators got a search warrant forcing Waymo to turn over the rider’s account details and video from the white Jaguar used in the caper, but Sgt. Tim Faye says the account info didn’t point to a suspect—likely because of stolen data or a burner phone. It’s not clear how long Waymo keeps its interior video, but it was wiped by the time the warrant was filed, notes TechCrunch. Waymo equips its latest cars with 29 cameras, though it does not use facial recognition or similar techniques to identify people. In a Los Angeles incident last year, police chased a suspect leaving a grocery robbery, and the robotaxi pulled itself over because of the police lights. The San Fran robber appears to have absconded with men’s shorts.
Denver, CO
Christ in the Heart of the City: Hundreds Join Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession in Downtown Denver
Catholics from across Northern Colorado gathered to honor Jesus in the Eucharist with prayer, song and public witness through the streets of Denver.
Sirens, honking and… hymns? It might not be a typical trifecta for a Saturday evening in Downtown Denver, but on the vigil of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, the heart of the city saw a change of pace.
A Eucharistic procession, led by Denver Archbishop James Golka and Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, brought hundreds to the city’s economic, legal and legislative center, many coming from multiple hours away. Organized by the Archdiocese of Denver, the prayerful procession made its way from Holy Ghost Parish in Denver to Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, at the base of the Colorado State Capitol. As the hundreds of faithful in attendance wound through the streets of Denver, they joined in prayer, song and devoted witness to their love for Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist.
“I was really excited to come to this moment,” said Marina, a parishioner at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Boulder. “My heart brought me here. I came to encounter the Lord, the King of life. And I encountered him here.”
“For us, this was something really special,” shared Pedro Gonzalez, a parishioner of St. Helena Parish in Fort Morgan. “When we started processing along the route, we ended up walking in front of Jesus in the Eucharist. I said to my wife, ‘Look! We get to walk right beside Jesus.’ It brought tears to my eyes because it was something very nice, a really beautiful experience for us.”
In a modern Pentecost dynamic, the procession brought together faithful from all cultures, nationalities, languages, ages and locales in a moving, beautiful testament to the catholicity (universality) of the Catholic Church (see Acts 2).
“I feel really happy,” said Veronica Gonzalez of St. Helena Parish. “We’re all one Church. We’re one, united. And Jesus, present in the Eucharist, unites us.”
“It’s a deeper expression of the Body of Christ,” explained Father Jonathon Hank, O.M.V., parochial vicar at Holy Ghost Parish in Denver. “We’re celebrating the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, but also the Body of Christ as a community.”
“You can see that there are lots of people who share the faith, and we all follow Jesus. That’s really beautiful,” added Yolanda Soto, whose daughter walked and prayed alongside her.
(Photos by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic)
Through the procession, the faithful had the opportunity to praise God publicly for all the many blessings he has bestowed, most especially for the Eucharist, the enduring and real presence of Jesus Christ among us. On the eve of the feast on which that presence is celebrated, the opportunity for prayer and witness was all the more powerful for attendees.
“Our love for Jesus brought us here today, to follow God, who is number one and who leads us to follow him in all of our needs,” said Maria Colin, a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Denver. “He is the only one who gives us strength to keep following him. How can we not praise him? How can we not bless him for all he’s given us?”
“It really was inspiring to continue to let me know that our faith is still strong. And looking at the crowd and the people that we have here, it’s a beautiful thing that we just keep on moving forward with our faith,” shared Heidi Casteel Ellis, a parishioner at Cure d’Ars Parish in Denver and a member of the Ladies of St. Peter Claver. “If more Catholics would come out and experience this, they would find it very refreshing.”
In short, as seven-year-old Carla Ruiz of St. Joseph Parish in Denver put it, “I’m happy! I felt something special in my heart.”
As the nation prepares to celebrate 250 years and Colorado 150, Saturday’s public witness of faith offered attendees the chance to be a “city on a hill,” showing God’s light and love to the surrounding culture.
“We live in such a dark world, and we’re a light to the world,” said Caleb Gallardo. “So it’s a great way to just show off my faith. It was a great display of our Christian faith.”
“This was all so beautiful, to see so many people coming to follow our Lord. Blessed be God who is helping us to come back to the faith, because there are so many who are lost, right? So I’m really happy to have been able to be here with Jesus in the Eucharist,” added Margarita Gutierrez, a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Denver.
No matter the witness effect of such a grand procession, though, attendees couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of encouragement and gratitude for being able to come together with Jesus in the Eucharist and each other.
“Getting to pilgrimage with Our Lord through Downtown Denver is pretty darn special!” said Alicia Toenjes. “I’m just so grateful. I’m very grateful that we could have a gathering of Catholics and have Our Lord and families together. It’s just such a blessing.”
“This is real joy. This is the feast, the feast of the Lord,” added Marina.
“I like praying before the Blessed Sacrament, being in the presence of the Lord. So to be able to bring him to the streets is really beautiful — and to witness to our faith to those others who are here, too,” said Diana, a parishioner of Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora.
When it comes down to it, said Father Ben Unachukwu, O.M.V., parochial vicar at Holy Ghost Parish in Denver, Saturday’s procession and other acts of faith like it come down to one thing: a eucharistic spirit of gratitude (the word “Eucharist” does mean thanksgiving, after all!).
“It’s so wonderful. It’s so special. The Lord gave us his best, so we have to give him our best. This is the smallest gift we can give to say, ‘Thank you, Lord, for all that you’ve done for us,” he concluded.
(Colorful clouds during Saturday’s sunset – photo by Sara Walsh; tonight’s sunset is at 9:04 pm)
After a wildly busy Saturday, it’s a quieter Sunday on our West Seattle Event Calendar – here are highlights of what’s happening (and not) on June’s first Sunday, starting with some good news if you have to head east off the peninsula:
TRAFFIC NOTE – I-5 REOPENED EARLY: Thanks for the tip! What was expected to be a full-weekend closure of I-5 northbound between I-90 and the U-District has ended early, and the freeway’s back open.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY PRIDE PARTY: 9 am, Westies Run Club runs from Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW) today, in “Pride Party” mode – rainbows and glitter encouraged!
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
(Saturday photo by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS’ GRAND OPENING WEEKEND: Second day of the celebration for Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (both WSB sponsors) in their new location at 2611 California SW, 10 am-6 pm, featuring another set of “massive giveaways” plus discounts – details here; our Saturday coverage is here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in almost-summer produce-and-products season – asparagus, lettuce, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, fruit (strawberries and cherries!), more – and many options for baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, poultry, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
MASTER GARDENERS AT THE MARKET: If you have a gardening question, you can get an answer from a Master Gardener! Their weekly clinics at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continue today, 10 am-2 pm. (Look for their booth toward the south end of the market.)
VOLUNTEER AT THE BEE GARDEN: 10 am-noon, all welcome to help at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham & Graham):
The garden looks great but could use a little taming. Weeding is the name of our game this weekend! As usual:
-Dress for the weather
-Bring a water bottle
-And a heads up: The closest restroom is at QED coffee a block or two up the streetNo experience is necessary, just your gardening spirit. Thanks so much for your support of our community garden! I look forward to seeing you out there.
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and enjoy a buffet breakfast – if this morning is sold out, look at dates ahead.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing continues, rain or shine, at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
FREE FLAG-FOOTBALL CLINIC: Girls 10-16 interested in flag football are invited – noon-2 pm on the field at 2701 SW Kenyon, free, just show up! Presented by (but not at) the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor).
COLMAN POOL’S FINAL PRESEASON WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, final preseason weekend concludes at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here, with 7-day-a-week operations starting next weekend. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome this afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SIP & SCULPT AT MR. B’S: 6 pm creativity opportunity at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
EVENING SCREAMING: This month’s gathering of Scream Club Seattle on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is at 8 pm.
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm jazz, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or helping with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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