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Response to mayoral quandary

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Contributed by: Rita Bertolli on 9/24/2007

I wanted to address some of Allan's (a hub reader) concerns about the upcoming Mayoral election. First, I appreciate his honest open perspective--and frankly his hard look on a very important race that will be affecting the future of Lakewood Colorado.

In beginning this, I'd like to direct Allan to my website www.lakewoodmayor.com for insight about the platform I'm running on. It's important to understand that my opponent in this race is essentially a polar opposite to me in how he feels the City should be functioning. His perspective, I'm afraid to say, from the massive amount of public work I've done both in the past years and during this campaign, is in stark contrast to the wishes of the residents in Lakewood. This is one of the reasons I'm running: to represent.

Allan's concerns focus primarily on consensus of the board of elected officials. You said Allan that the current councilors are adverse to me--and you might be right for the most part, because they found themselves on the wrong side of an important, defining issue that was voted down by a phenomenal margin in the January election. Be reminded, though, that we are electing new coucilors this year. Half of the seats are up for election--and only one incumbent is running. This means there will be an entirely different dynamic on council in 2008, and one which I am looking forward to working with when elected.

Councilors sit on an elected board to represent Citizens. I don't expect them to always cooperate with any proposal that the Mayor's committe may bring forth. I only expect them to represent their constituents and know how their consituents feel. Their job is to come to the table with their citizens' voices. Anyone that knows me knows I listen well. I value debate very much. Debate, alternate perspectives, are key to balance. But at the same time, I expect people, especially people we elect, to be able to debate logically, inteligently, passionately, and convincingly. I don't see this happening on council, do you? I see 11-0 votes every other week in the Lakewood Sentinel.

I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to do much if there are Councilors in office that carry an emotional grudge for what I stand for--which is, by the way, the People. I would hope the our City Councilors look from now on to base their judgment on logic and reason rather than emotion and personal regrets. I know one thing is true: everyone on Council will have a very different perspective when they get to run their own meetings instead of having Mike Rock sit at the table and threaten them into voting yes or no.

My job, bottom line, is to reflect the views and as Mayor the VISION of residents. I have two obligations as elected: to represent the people, and to represent the principles of our City Charter, our State Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and the principles upon which we've built government. Those are the only two forces that I am responsible to and if I succeed in staying true to these, I think the debate will be far more effective, healthy, enlightening, and open than we have ever seen in Lakewood. What will result is a path forward that represents the highest level of thought and consideration.

I hope the Councilors see it this way, because I am looking forward to working with them. But I DO expect of them a thoughtful perspective, a logical approach, and a commitment to the citizens they represent. Accountability. I would think that is one of the reasons for electing a strong Mayor. If we don't agree, we don't agree and will drive to understand why and how we go about moving forward. But remember, too, that we are not elected to be "friends." We are elected to represent our people and principles and base our decisions on what we feel is reflective of that commitment.

Rita

Councilors Term Limited this Year

Cheryl Wise
Mike Stevens
Bob Murphy
Ray Elliott
Ed Peterson (re-election)

To read Allan's original post, click here.

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Submitted By: Sophie Gatewood

posted on 10/17/2007 @ 12:09:35 AM

Rated Story

Mr. Burnhardt, the results of the land swap will be evident in the near future. Ms. Bertolli, in my opinion, was incorrect with her amendment decision (I opposed it). "I expect people, especially people we elect, to be able to debate logically, inteligently, passionately, and convincingly. I don't see this happening on council, do you? I see 11-0 votes every other week...." A key point, and one future councillors should be made aware of: mindless concession is a blatant issue on Channel 8 and drives me batty!

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Submitted By: J Burnhardt

posted on 9/25/2007 @ 8:27:09 AM

(Not Rated)

In past postings, Mr. Berger mentioned two topics of interest, the land exchange and the TABOR vote. I see now that Ms. Bertolli opposed the swap and Mr. Murphy endorsed it. I never have seen the answer about where the candidates stood on this last November's TABOR election. I think this was a good question, and maybe I missed where it was answered.

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Rita Bertolli

Lakewood , CO

Rita Bertolli has posted 51 stories and 267 comments since joining on 11/2/2005. Rita Bertolli 's average story rating is 2.85.

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