Women’s Commission Takes Aim to Make their Presence Known at City Council Meetings

Kiley Long

JTC 320

This month’s Fort Collins Women’s Commission meeting was abuzz with the regular topics on the agenda such as committee review, city council updates, and surveys. However, there was an important topic of business to be covered at this edition of the regular meeting.

            After much discussion and designating an entire retreat to the decision making process, the commission has chosen to focus the majority of their efforts towards primarily improving the areas of safety, health, and poverty in the community.

            The commission will be making a substantial effort to have at least two members present at all city council meetings in the next six months. As part of the agenda for the meeting a six-month agenda planning calendar was handed out and members assigned themselves to designated meetings on a volunteer basis.

            At every city council meeting the commission will expect themselves to give a presentation on a topic of choice that relates directly to the work they have accomplished that month during the open microphone session. This process will ensure enhanced communication between the council and the commission.

            Another huge topic of importance for the commission is the upcoming City Council elections that could prove to have effects on them as well. It was discussed that David Roy’s, representative of District 6, term will be coming to an end soon. Roy is also the current liaison and representative for the Women’s Commission.

            This means that the commission will soon have to select a new member of the City Council to represent the ideas, opinions, and visions of their organization to not only the rest of the council but also in cohesion with the rest of the Fort Collins community.

            This was clearly a huge topic of discussion during this month’s gathering. After much debating, it was decided that Ben Manvel, representative of District 1, would be the best asset for the Women’s Commission. The women felt that Manvel would best embody the goals and opinions of the commission and represent them in a positive and balanced manner. The runner up to Manvel was the representative of District 4, Wade Troxell.

            Troxell also has a history of showing some favoritism towards the views of the commission and fighting for their voices to be heard. But alas it was decided that Troxell would be the back up selection if Manvel dismisses the offer.

            It seems that with a renewed and increased presence within the City Council, that the Women’s Commission will be able to increase and benefit their program’s effectiveness within the Fort Collins community.