See, e.g., this DU discussion . . .
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=142x3083I have nothing against the guy, but don't see him as much of a change agent. Here are a couple Webb bio's from DNC (he is currently a DNC vice chair) . . .
http://www.dems2004.org/site/pp.asp?c=luI2LaPYG&b=107417Wellington E. Webb
Wellington E. Webb, the first African American mayor of Denver, was born in 1941 in Chicago. The Webb family relocated to the Northeast section of Denver, where the imposing six-foot, five-inch youth became active in sports. Mr. Webb was an all-conference basketball player at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. He obtained his B.A. in sociology from Colorado State College at Greeley in 1964, and his M.A. in sociology from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley in 1971.
After being turned down twice for teaching positions in the Denver public schools, Mr. Webb went to City Hall upon the advice of his politically active grandmother, Helen M. Gamble, where he was offered a job. In 1972, he was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, representing his hometown in northeast Denver. In 1977, he was selected by President Jimmy Carter to serve as regional director of the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare. In 1981, he was appointed as executive director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies by the Colorado Governor. Webb was elected Denver city auditor in 1987, where his track record paved the way for his successful and historic mayoral bid in 1991.
In his three terms as mayor of Denver, Webb has focused on four major areas: parks and open space, public safety, economic development and children. Accomplishments during his administration include a record 40 percent decrease in crime since 1991 as unemployment dipped below 2 percent. Webb's development projects include the new Denver International Airport, a new sports stadium, expansion of the Denver Art Museum and a new African American Research Library.
Webb is president of the Democratic Mayors and the past president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and National Conference of Black Mayors. He lectures frequently on civic issues and was a guest lecturer at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Webb collaborates closely with his wife, former Colorado State Representative Wilma J. Webb.
http://www.democrats.org/about/bios/webb.htmlWELLINGTON WEBB
DNC VICE CHAIR
Wellington Webb's distinguished public service career began in 1972 when he was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives. In 1977, he was selected by President Jimmy Carter to serve as Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare. In 1981, Colorado Governor Richard Lamm appointed him as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. In 1987, he was elected as the Denver City Auditor. He was elected Mayor of Denver in 1991, and reelected in 1995 and 1999.
Under his leadership, the City and County of Denver capitalized on the nation's strong economy to become a model American city. During his tenure, more than $7 billion in infrastructure projects were built. The city's population increased by 19 percent and the bond rating for general Obligation Bonds went from A to AA+ and airport bonds from BBB to A. Denver is the only city to be cited for five years running as One of the Top American Cities in Fortune Magazine's annual "Best Cities" survey. Denver has also received the following distinctions during Mayor Webb's term: One of the Top Three Cities for Sound Fiscal Management by City and State Magazine; One of the Top American Cities by Money Magazine; and Top City for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur Magazine. Wellington Webb has created more park space than any other Denver mayor and downtown Denver has been recreated as a thriving residential community. Crime has been reduced by 40 percent since 1991. Webb brokered an agreement for the redevelopment of the former Stapleton Airport -- the largest infill project in America and most recently reached an agreement that will preserve Denver's ownership of its historic Winter Park Ski Resort while more than $100 million in private investment will go into its redevelopment. The City and County of Denver's hospital, Denver General, had a cash deficit of $39 million when he entered office. Under Webb's leadership, the City created the Denver Health Medical Authority in 1997, eliminated the deficit, showed a cash balance of $40 million, and issued $142 million in investment grade revenue bonds for new clinics, a new addition to the hospital, property purchases, and other physical plant improvements.
While Webb was Mayor, he opened and facilitated 80 percent of the construction of the world's most technologically advanced airport, Denver International Airport, opened one and built two sports arenas: Coors Field, the Pepsi Center and Mile High Stadium. He negotiated two new airline routes to serve Denver International, including British Airways and Lufthansa German Airlines. He also opened foreign trade offices for the City in London, England, and in Shanghai, China, and led a U.S. Conference of Mayors trade mission to Africa. Mayor Webb negotiated the deal to develop the Pepsi Center in the Platte Valley while assuring that the Colorado Avalanche hockey team, the Denver Nuggets basketball team and the Denver Broncos football team would remain in Denver for at least 25 years. In 1993, Mayor Webb hosted nearly 200,000 people from around the world to celebrate World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II. In 1997, he welcomed President Clinton and eight world leaders at the Denver Summit of the Eight, the annual global economic summit.
Mayor Webb has received numerous awards including: The Americans for the Arts 2001 Government Leadership in the Arts; The National Wildlife Federation's 1999 Achievement Award; and The National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Outstanding Achievement in Public Policy" Award. In 1999, Mayor Webb was named Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Chevalier of the Legion of Honor) by the country of France and in June 2003, he received the U.S. Conference of Mayors highest honor, the "Distinguished Public Service" Award.
Wellington Webb established a consulting business, Webb Group International LLC, in Denver, October 2003 that specializes in working with cities to build and finance hotel and convention centers, the management of convention centers or other public facilities, downtown economic projects, Affirmative Action Ordinance for construction and professional service contracts, which has been reviewed and accepted by the U.S. Supreme Court and representing businesses and cities with economic opportunities in Asia and Africa.
Currently, Webb Group International is working with the City of Macon, Georgia in financing and building a 250 to 300 room convention center hotel. Webb is also working with Forest City Enterprises of Cleveland, Ohio on a nine thousand acre mixed use development in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Webb was awarded a BA in Sociology form the Colorado State College, and an MA in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado. He also holds honorary doctorates from the University of Colorado and Metropolitan State College. Mayor Webb was a recent guest lecturer at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and a visiting fellow at their Institute of Politics. He has served as President of the United States Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of Democratic Mayors and the National Conference of Black Mayors.
Wellington Webb and his wife Wilma J. Webb, a former six-term Colorado State Representative and former United States Secretary of Labor's Representative, have four grown children and live in Denver.
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