Perhaps the light turnout at a public hearing Monday before the city of Everett’s Charter Review Commission means citizens are satisfied with city government.
Even if they are, though, they have a stake in the work of this 15-member panel, which is to make recommendations in June about updating the city’s cornerstone document. The city council will decide which, if any, recormmendations go before voters in November.
Ideas already on the table include electing city council members by district rather than at-large, and moving to a two-year budgeting process.
Just two citizens spoke at Monday’s hearing, a disappointing turnout in a city with vigorous neighborhood associations and a fair share of civic activism. It could be that the city’s charter-review process has flown under the public radar, given that all of the commission’s members were appointed. A parallel effort at the county level, where commissioners were elected by voters, has seen better attendance.
To encourage participation, future public hearings will open with time for residents to speak their minds. So give it some thought and put in your 2 cents. It’s your best chance to influence the eventual shape of the commission’s recommendations.
The next Everett Charter Review Commission meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. April 10 on the eighth floor of the Wall Street Building, 2930 Wetmore Ave.
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