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Denver committee advances Al Gardner’s nomination after extended questioning on experience, trust and budget
Summary
The Denver City Council Health and Safety Committee moved the mayoral appointment of Al Gardner, the acting executive director of the Department of Safety, to the full council on Nov. 12 after more than an hour of questioning about his lack of traditional public-safety experience, plans for rebuilding trust with unions and community, and managing an $800 million-plus safety budget.
Al Gardner, the mayor’s nominee to lead Denver’s Department of Safety, was advanced to the full City Council on Nov. 12 after the Health and Safety Committee questioned him at length about his qualifications, trust-building strategy and budget priorities.
Committee chair Daryl Watson opened the hearing and described procedural limits on questioning. Council members called Gardner’s civilian background and lack of law-enforcement, firefighting or legal experience to the fore while also probing how he would work with paramilitary agencies, labor unions and skeptical communities.
Gardner, who has served in volunteer oversight roles and in general services and technology posts, said civilian leadership is intentional and can bring a systemwide perspective. “There is value into ensuring that the person who’s leading our departments…is able to see it from 360,” Gardner said, adding that he has…
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