Guest Post: In Local Government, We Are Here for Everybody

From Edgewater City Councilwoman Hannah Gay Keao:

As we continue to process the results of this past week’s election, emotions remain raw. I’m right there with so many of you. Across the ballot, none of us who voted likely got the exact outcomes we were hoping for, and our neighbors who were unable to vote, whether because of age or citizenship, are processing it all right alongside the rest of us.

Yet to all of Edgewater, I want you to know this: your Mayor and City Council remain here, hard at work together. We were not on the recent ballot. Each of us has served you for at least a year at this point. And we deeply respect one another and our shared constituents.

We are nonpartisan, we are caring for our families and neighbors here beside you, and we remain committed to serving each and every one of you and the oath of office we each took, just as we always have been. We have disagreed vehemently on some things, and even then we have rooted ourselves in kindness and community. I don’t think this is just who we are as individuals. This is Edgewater.

I will continue to serve all of Edgewater, as I always have, while working for policies and practices I know – from data and my heart – will benefit the many not the few. Because I know the power of community is greater than all else. The presidential election gave us a binary when in community we can and do contain multitudes. Onward.

For those who are feeling particularly emotionally vulnerable right now or at risk, reach out to 988 by call or text. If you are in need of less immediate support, for whatever reason, please contact Edgewater’s Mental Health Coordinator, Meghan Murphy, at 720-763-3017 or mmurphy@edgewaterco.com; we have a variety of resources available regionally. I am available anytime at 970-515-3842 and hgaykeao@edgewaterco.com.

Stay warm, stay safe, and stay connected to one another.

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.