More than 1,000 Denver city employees shuffled through Civic Center today over the lunch hour, eating bar-b-que and listening to a jazz band.
Under a mostly cloudy, cool sky, after days of relentless heat, the city threw a summer party as a way to thank its workers.
The food and drink at the party was donated by corporate sponsors, so the party didn’t use taxpayer money.
“This is all about thanking you,” Mayor John Hickenlooper told the crowd.
Tammy Redman, who works in finance and administration, said she appreciated the acknowledgment.
“They should do it more often for us, but we appreciate the day we get,” Redman said.
Those who attended the “city pride” fest noshed on bar-b-que chicken or beef, beans, salads and bread. They washed it down with cold soda and had a cookie for desert.
“Now I’m done for the day,” joked Redman, as she smoked a cigarette. “I’m ready for a nap.”
City Auditor Dennis Gallagher was among handful of city leaders who spoke to the crowd over a public address system.
Gallagher wore a straw and bamboo “Panama hat” he bought for 25 cents at a garage sale in Leadville, demonstrating his ability to stretch a buck, a valuable trait for an auditor.
Gallagher told his co-workers he’s pushing to grace the cover of a fashion magazine.
“If I can just get to a few more garage sales,” he said.
As Hickenlooper worked the crowd, Bernard Lopez Jr., a wastewater worker, shook the mayor’s hand.
“Just take care of us,” Lopez said to Hickenlooper. “Take care of us and we will take care of you.”
Hickenlooper smiled and replied: “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch your’s.”
Lopez has worked for the city for nine years, working his way into wastewater after starting as a seasonal parks worker.
“We’re working hard. We’re the ones who crawl into the manhole covers,” Lopez said. “It’s a nice day. It’s nice to be appreciated.”
Lopez said a raise in pay would also be nice.
“I think he’s (Hickenlooper) working on it for us,” Lopez said of the prospect of a fatter paycheck.
Other city employees were busy at the party gathering signatures as part of a petition asking for a raise.
They gathered about 700 signatures and will present them to the city council in the near future, group members said.
About 13,000 people work for the city of Denver.
“Thank you so much for making our city better,” City Council President Michael Hancock told the crowd. “We stand on your shoulders.”
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
