How does one of the largest cities in Colorado, comprised about equally of women and men end up with an all-male city council?
Last month Arvada district one council member, Rachel Zenzinger (just reelected in November to a four year term), resigned to fill a vacancy in the Colorado state senate.
Thus was also created a vacancy on the Arvada city council. Zenzinger was the only woman on the council, but at least there was the appearance of some diversity among Arvada's elected municipal representatives.
No longer. In a procedure designed such that no one council member could be held accountable for their vote, the six men on the council managed to fill the district one seat with the current chair of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce -- Mr. Jerry Marks. Secret ballots were used to eliminate applicants that included women, and to advance the ultimate choice.
Women in Arvada, younger folks, people of diverse ethnicity, working middle class employees -- not represented on the Arvada city council.
A history and practice of cronyism in Arvada is once again put on display for all to see.
The following is a letter sent to the Arvada mayor and council by two district one citizens questioning the use of secret ballots to fill this council vacancy.
Here is a video clip of the secret ballot portion
of the Friday, January 10, 2014 Arvada city council meeting.
