Letter to the Editor: Protect Edgewater’s Charter

What is the Edgewater City Charter? The Charter outlines the long-term organization and structure of Edgewater’s government. It was created by a group of elected citizens, approved by voters, and can only be changed by a vote of the people during an election.

City council can not change the Charter but they can, and did, vote to put four Charter changes on our ballot. These changes were not initiated by citizens. The ballot questions will appear as 2F, 2G, 2H and 2I.

The last question, 2I, is asking voters to remove the requirement that Edgewater maintain an Election Commission. Over the years we have learned that we no longer need a full-time Election Commission. City council can still create a temporary commission if we need to hold a special election.

The other three ballot questions, 2F 2G and 2H, are changes to the Charter that I do not support. They are reactions to recent activities, and do not address organizational failures. These changes will not enhance the long-term structure of Edgewater’s government.

Questions 2F and 2H, if approved, will remove provisions that are unique to Edgewater, and reflect Edgewater’s commitment to provide the fullest possible participation by every member of the community. This idea is so fundamental to Edgewater that it is spelled out in the third sentence of the Charter. RE: ARTICLE I – General Provisions (1.2 – Purpose of the Charter.) https://library.municode.com/co/edgewater/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=HORUCHCOEDCO_EDHORUCH_ARTIGEPR

Currently, voters need to approve an increase in pay for council members. If approved, 2F gives council the power to increase council’s pay without asking Edgewater voters.

If a council vacancy occurs shortly after an election, Edgewater turns to the election results to fill the seat. The next highest vote-getter, a candidate who earned a spot on the ballot, fills the council vacancy. If approved, 2H disregards the election process and allows council to choose whomever they want.

Ballot question 2G adds an administrative task that could simply be addressed in council’s Rules of Procedure. This type of micromanagement should not be addressed in a Charter.

Ballot question 2I is in response to changing times and I would encourage people to vote YES on 2I.

Questions 2F 2G and 2H are not citizen oriented, nor do they address long-term organizational needs of Edgewater. Please vote NO on all three.

Karen Hing
2007 Charter Convention
Former Chair Edgewater Planning & Zoning Commission
Former Chair Edgewater Board of Adjustment & Appeals

Joel Newton

Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.