Storm drainage problem
SHAME ON THE DENVER, CO CITY GOVERNMENT!
I write this as an other-than-Denver citizen. I am from Des Moines, IA.
Our newspaper, the Des Moines Register, has a column called “Roses and Thistles,” in which comments are made about various news items. I am not naïve enough to ever think that this will get into print in your paper, nor do I believe that any member of your city government will see it. Perhaps if they do they will simply disregard it. I write it, admittedly, to treat myself. But it involves your citizenry, and I offer it in the name of constructive concern.
My concern is the storm sewer drainage situation in the 1300 East 17th Avenue area. There have been repeated occasions when large volume rainfall has resulted in flooding of this busy traffic area. If you will check your archives you will find photos. I have witnessed one of those occasions. Vehicles came from the west at speeds high enough to render them at least partially uncontrollable when they entered the “pond.” My daughter owned property which was damaged due to this flooding on two occasions. As a result she was forced to borrow in excess of $30,000 to cover damages and renovation plus additional monies for personal property loss. Her home was on the market for over a year and finally sold for $50,000 below assessed value due to no fault of her own. This is simply unjust. If the city is convinced that there is no other answer to this situation, perhaps this area should be a designated flood plain.
Attempts to communicate with the city council and higher officials resulted in their taking no action. There IS a problem, and it can’t be denied. This may well happen again. Perhaps it will take someone losing control of a vehicle to correct the inadequate storm sewer drainage in the area to result in action. I certainly hope that doesn’t happen.
Meanwhile some of the folks who live or have businesses in that area will continue to see their properties devalued—not because they are less valuable, but because the city officials are making a statement of irresponsibility. I doubt, however, that this will cause them to lower their property assessments and taxes.
So, in the words of my local paper, “a thistle to the Denver, Colorado city governance.”
Thank you for your time in reading this.
This letter has not been edited.
Flood insurance.
Posted by on September 28, 2007 02:54 PMWhat do you expect from a mayor whose profession is micro-brewing beer? Your daughter maybe getting off light. Toddlers are dying at a rapid rate in Denver, just because the mayor and his incompentent health and human services flunkies, lack a clue.
Posted by draftdodgingisntafamilyvalue on September 28, 2007 09:27 PM