Lakewood Council Enables Personal Advocacy For Themselves

Misuse of Position

There is no explanation as to why City resources should be used to advance a personal agenda that does not benefit the city.

Historically, using government positions to advance personal agendas in what may give the appearance of governmental sanction was known as a misuse of power. The new policy allows a vote of support so that other Council Members can add their personal declaration, which would show City Council support for something that doesn’t affect Lakewood.

This situation was discussed during the Gaza War in 2023. Most Council Members wanted to show support for Palestine. Then-Councilor Rich Olver supported Israel and endured considerable blowback.

Previous Changes

The majority of the 2026 Lakewood City Council have been involved in other changes to increase personal advocacy of Council Members.

Previously, they gave themselves the power to take advocacy positions on an issue. As resident S St writes on LakewoodSpeaks, “change clearly allows electioneering by the council and cannot be allowed, we saw this with the Council’s “resolution” of a NO vote for rezoning. Council should NEVER be allowed a personal or group opinion on a matter of public/citizen authority. I would encourage everyone to read, and read between the lines, of these proposed changes to policy.”

Council has also increased the use of proclamations that did not result in policy changes, especially in 2025.

• March 24, 2025 was declared Nowruz Day in the City of Lakewood
• April 22 was declared Earth Day and April 25 Arbor Day
• May was declared Mental Health month in Lakewood
• June 6 was declared National Gun Violence Day

Exempt from Open Meetings Law

Personal declarations can be developed as a group, and voted on by all of Council. However, per this new policy, such meetings of multiple Council Members will be allowed because they claim it is personal. 

Normally, any meeting of three or more City Councilors is subject to Open Meetings Law.  

Limiting Public Comment

In contrast, since the election of Mayor Wendi Strom and Mayor Pro Tem Jeslin Shahrezaei, opportunity for public comment has been reduced:

1. Most of public comment has moved to the end of the meeting
2. Candidates can no longer say they are candidates (they never could make campaign speeches)
3. Residents can discuss issues but not urge a specific vote the way Council did
4. The ability to comment remotely via zoom or phone call has been removed
5. Online submission of comments is encouraged rather than in-person comments during city business times (section 05.8)
6. And now, online submissions are limited to one comment per agenda item (pg 31)

As Lenore Herskovitz writes on LakewoodSpeaks, “It is unfortunate that you have decided to limit the public to 1 in person comment and 1 comment on Lakewoodspeaks per agenda item. Many comments on Lakewoodspeaks are submitted before Council discussion and votes. Lakewoodspeaks is open until 10 a.m. the following morning. If you have further comment on council action after the meeting ends, this rule prohibits you from expressing it. The post meeting comment certainly doesn’t deprive the Council of any of the time needed to conduct city business so what is the point of the rule?”

Rules for Thee

Resident Alexei Fernandez sums up the changes with “Rules from me but not for thee.”