Correction: A quote attributed to Lakewood law director Kevin Butler should have been attributed to former schools treasurer Rick Berdine.
Every couple of weeks, I’ve got a tough decision to make: meeting or meeting.
Contrary to what some folks think, I cannot be at two places at once.
Each of the meetings takes place at the same time — on the first and third Monday of every month.
Well, school board meetings start a half-hour before city council, but it doesn’t make much difference.
Both city council and school board serve as the executive branch of local government. They both pass laws and policies.
Typically, I follow up on the meeting that I missed. It’s usually not a problem.
Every once in a while, there are issues important to Lakewood residents at each meeting.
Turns out, concerned citizens can’t be in two places at once either.
Is it time to change the meeting times? It may get more citizens involved in some of the important issues in our community.
Or they may just stay on the sidelines.
Kevin Butler, the city’s law director and former Ward 1 councilman, said that the city charter does not mandate the time and place of city council meetings. He said the charter only dictates that the meeting dates and times be consistent each month.
School district spokeswoman Christine Gordillo told me that the board would have to amend its policy to change the meeting dates and times.
The last time something like that happened was three years ago, when the board eliminated a meeting-of-the-whole, scheduled before the second meeting of the month.
“I suppose if enough people complained to them they would consider changing it,” said Gordillo.
It’s entirely possible that I am the only one asking.
School board vice president Ed Favre said, from an administrative standpoint, it’s easier for the district to keep the meetings on the same date.
“You’re the first person who’s brought this up,” he added.
Maybe I’m the only person who cares.
Much to my disappointment, very few residents attend either meeting anyway. I can name the citizens — on one hand — who attend each meeting every month.
Maybe folks don’t care what happens in the schools or city government.
Or perhaps, like me, they can’t decide which meeting to attend.
I have to admit that I've only attended a couple of city council meetings over the years and haven't continued, mostly due to the length of time the meetings take.
Bring your ideas .. or if you cannot attend, post anything you want added to the discussion here.