July 30, 2015 VOLUME 91 | ISSUE 50
LakewoodSentinel.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Arvada mom and Wheat Ridge teacher Sarah Lambert stands at 38th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard waving cars in to sign the final spots of the Jeffco United for Action recall petition. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Jeffco school board recall One-to-one governance petitions ready to go
During a Ward 3 meeting and annual ward barbecue, Shakti visits with constituents. The meetings are an opportunity for residents to visit one on and one with their council people. Photo by Clarke Reader
Residents express themselves at ward meetings By Clarke Reader
creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com
When resident Edie Bryant wants to talk with her neighbors, learn what they think of particular issues and discuss with city council members the topics most important to her, she doesn’t go to city council meetings. She attends one of her ward meetings. “You can find out other people’s ideas and get assistance on things,” said Bryant, who said she tries to attend every monthly meeting in her ward. “Besides, at council meetings you cannot respond.” Standing at the dais in front of Lakewood City Council can be nerve-wracking for some. And even for those who are comfortable, it lacks the backand-forth of conversation. For those looking for a more personal experience with their civic leaders, each of the city’s five wards — or districts — hold monthly ward-specific meetings to hear directly from residents about issues they care about most. “It’s a really good opportunity to have interactions with constituents in a more relaxed atmosphere,” Ward 5 councilman Tom Quinn said. “We’re able to hear concerns that we otherwise probably wouldn’t.” Lakewood has five wards — each represented by two councilmembers elected by their respective wards. The ward meetings are on the same day of the week each month, such as the last Saturday or first Wednesday, at churches, community centers and restaurants and offer residents a chance to get as broad or as specific as they like with concerns. “City council is about policy, but ward meetings are about people,” Ward 3 councilman Pete Roybal said. “We can serve as the middleman for people if they have a problem — whether it’s about street lights or pot holes — and put them in touch with the people they need.” Dave Caldwell, a Ward 3 resident and consistent meeting attendee, said meetings often host police so residents can hear the kinds of issues officers are seeing in the community. Candidates for area boards and commissions also attend to meet constituents. The meetings also are an opportunity for councilmembers to bring community experts to speak on a variety of topics. Karen Harrison, Ward 5 councilwoman, said her meetings have had speakers from Jefferson County Public Health; Ward 3 councilwoman Ramey Johnson has hosted speakers who discuss prostitution and child trafficking. “There are often council matters that we need to discuss in more detail — we have a budget speaker come in when we’re discussing it in council,” Harrison said. “We’re able to bring council to the residents, so they will still know what’s going on, even if
‘City council is about policy, but ward meetings are about people.’
Pete Roybal
WARD 3 COUNCILMAN
WARD MEETINGS Ward 1 Third Saturday monthly - 9 a.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 9200 W. 10th Ave. Ward 2 Second Wednesday monthly - 7:30-8:30 a.m. 40 West Arts District 1560 Teller St. Ward 3 Fourth Saturday monthly - 9-10 a.m. Phillips United Methodist Church 1450 S. Pierce St. Shakti’s meeting First Monday monthly - 8-9 a.m. Sunrise/Sunset Restaurant 1424 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Ward 4 Second Saturday monthly - 9:30-11 a.m. Green Mountain Presbyterian Church 12900 W. Alameda Pkwy. Ward 5 Third Saturday monthly - 9 a.m. Bear Valley Church 10001 W. Jewell Ave.
they’re not able to make it to the meetings.” For residents, the meetings are a chance to meet neighbors and learn information about the community from people who have been there for decades. For councilmembers, they provide ideas and inspiration for issues to tackle in their elected positions. “The meetings are where we get direction,” Roybal said. “We ask for input, wisdom and knowledge from the residents — and they give it to us.”
County clerk must first validate the more than 30,000 signatures By Crystal Anderson
canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com The organization behind the recall effort of the Jeffco School Board’s three majority members said it had collected more than 30,000 signatures for each of the three petitions — twice the required 15,000 valid voter signatures needed to place them on the November ballot. But the signatures must first be validated by the Jefferson County Clerk of Court. The recall group said it planned to turn in the petitions to the clerk’s office July 28. The clerk then has 15 business days to review and validate the signatures, with a 15-calendar day protest term following. The petitions may then be placed on the November ballot. At that time, anyone wishing to run for the seats of board President Ken Witt, John Newkirk and Julie Williams must seek 50 signatures to also be placed on the ballot. In emails to Colorado Community Media, Newkirk and Witt said priorities have been to put decision-making in the hands of parents and principals, recognize effective educators while improving accountability, ensure equitable funding for all students, improve fiscal management, and more, all with the goal of improving academic achievement. “Such priorities ... form the basis of my decisions while serving on the board,” Newkirk said. “The union-supported recall effort gives voters the opportunity to agree or disagree with these priorities. If the community prefers the old approach, I will accept their decision.” Said Witt: “Jeffco students deserve better than the old status quo —they deserve a great education.” Williams could not be reached for comment by press time Monday. Jeffco United for Action surpassed its intended signature goal of 25,000 per petition at a protest-recall petition signing event on July 22 along a 19-mile stretch of Wadsworth Boulevard. At each major intersection, groups varying in numbers from two to 20 held placards that urged community members to sign petitions. “We’ve had just over 1,000 parents carrying petitions for two weeks,” Lynea Hansen, media contact for Jeffco United for Action, said while counting signatures July 25. “I think we’ve seen an overwhelming voice from the community asking for this recall to be on the November ballot.” Parents and teachers are upset about the school board majority’s actions regarding the hiring of Superintendent Dan McMinimee, board attorney Brad Miller and what they say is an overwhelming increase in teacher turnover Petitions continues on Page 9