When I decided to run for city council, I understood that there would be a lot of time spent attending city government meetings. What I did not fully realize was that there were additional responsibilities that came with the job! Besides sitting as a Lakewood City Councilor for Ward 2, I have been assigned to some standing committees: the Head Start Governing Board, serving as secretary; the Budget, Audit, and Finance Committee; the Legislative Committee; and the Screening Committee. All this is in addition to attending neighborhood meetings, West Colfax Overly meetings, business association meetings, the Wadsworth Advisory Committee meetings, Ward 2 monthly meetings, Colorado Municipal League meetings and seminars, and other meetings as they arise such as a recent one on Sexually Violent Predators.

Attending these meetings has increased my knowledge of the city, of the neighborhoods, of the City's amenities and programs, of the local businesses, and many other aspects that I otherwise would not have known. The other benefit has been my ability to stay in contact with citizens and their issues. Finding out about regional issues has been another benefit.

On February 8, 2008, I attended Denver Mayor Hickenlooper's Regional Dialogue on Homelessness per a request from our Mayor Murphy. Deborah Ortega, Director of Denver's Commission to End Homelessness, was the emcee for the morning meeting. We also heard from Jean Tutolo, Executive Director of Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, Mayor Hickenlooper, Roxanne White, Denver Human Services manager, Melinda Townsend, Aurora Housing Authority, Brenda Woolsey, Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, Valerie Robson and Jennifer Eby from Douglas County, and Nancy Morgan, Jeffco Action Center Director of Program Services.

The audience was filled with government and charitable organization leaders as well as elected officials from regional county and municipal governments, including Jefferson County Commissioners Kathy Hartman and Jim Congrove. Lakewood City Manager Mike Rock and Lakewood Housing and Family Services Director, Tami Fischer, also attended. Obviously, this is an important topic for everyone. The homelessness statistics presented included those from cities, counties, and school districts. As an example, in Jefferson County Public Schools 2,241 children were homeless during the 2006-2007 school year. Whatever each and every one of us can do to help end homeless, let's start working on it now.

My point is that my position as an elected official for the City of Lakewood expands well beyond the city limits. I have had more opportunities than I could have imagined possible. Thank you again to those who voted for me. I continue to look forward to serving the citizens of Lakewood and using my newfound knowledge to continuing building a better Lakewood.

As a reminder, Ward 2 monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Whitlock Recreation Center, 1555 Dover St., from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Please come meet your neighbors and chat with Debbie Koop and myself.

Cindy is a Lakewood Ward 2 City Councilor. Cindy can be reached at cbaroway@lakewood.org or 303-987-7739.

(Updated 2.25.08)