Openings for City Council, boards and commissions attract some civic-minded folks, but many Jefferson County residents feel recruitment methods need to change in order to attract new blood.
With an upcoming mayoral race in Wheat Ridge and city council elections throughout the region in November, there will likely be enough interested residents to fill seats in city government. However, cities are being critiqued for not reaching beyond residents on the fringe of local politics.
Christa Jones, deputy city clerk for Wheat Ridge, has worked for the city for 26 years. She said it has been more than a decade since a young resident ran for city council. Currently the youngest councilor is Jerry DiTullio, 45.
“I remember when Vance Edwards was on council, he was 21 — that was so much fun to have someone young,” Jones said.
Wheat Ridge advertises government openings on Channel 8, the city Web site and in newspaper notices. The same is true for Golden, said City Clerk Susan Brooks.
Charles Durbin, a Wheat Ridge resident since 1963, said more than local postings are needed.
“I’d like to see somehow making these reps talk to more people in their district to get them interested. They sure don’t seem to get out and get people involved,” Durbin said. “It seems to me it there is kind of a select group people who serve and they find their buddies to join them.”
Susan Oursland of Arvada said she thinks cities should hire a marketing company to advertise openings on boards and commissions.
“I don’t think people know they could have an effect on the community,” Oursland said.
But Ruthanne Johnson of Arvada said many residents who have been here a while, herself included, don’t know how to get involved in their community.
“I think there is a lot of ambivalence and also a sense of powerlessness and people don’t know decisions can trickle down to the city level,” Johnson said.
“As it is, I don’t think people are given enough choices to choose from.”
Susan Seeds, member of the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Commission, said she became involved with the group six years ago after being interested in preserving the city’s beauty.
Seeds said she would like to see more civic involvement from residents at the most basic level.
“If you see trash at the park, pick it up — that is what a volunteer does — being a citizen of your world. That is something that is easy to do. I think everyone can be a volunteer in that way,” Seeds said.