March 9, 2023 |
Photo – Carbon County Higher Education Center – Bigfoot99 file photo
In a somewhat related story, when Paul Metevier isn’t representing Ward 2 as a Republican committeeman, he is hosting a series of non-partisan community meetings at the Carbon County Higher Education Center. Metevier said the meetings began in his ward as response to Tonya Lewman not being seated on the council at the first meeting of the year. The meetings have grown from there. He said people from every district can use the assemblies to be heard by the city government.
Following the success of the group’s campaign to have Councilwoman Lewman seated, Metevier said it was decided to continue holding the meetings. He said the topic of conversation turned to council ethics violations. Metevier said Councilman Darril Garner attended the meetings and was asked about creating an ethics ordinance.
Metevier said the city doesn’t have an enforceable set of ethics rules. He said Rawlins Community Assembly attendees are working to craft a resolution, to address perceived abuse by council members, using other cities as an example. Ward 2 council members would then be asked to bring the policy before the governing body.
Metevier said the idea is to have council members, Garner and Lewman, ask the mayor to allow a vote on an ethics resolution. He said if enough people show their support for the policy, the council would be forced to act.
Metevier said the Rawlins Community Assembly meetings are a way for people to guide local government. He said if you want to see change, you must participate in the process.
The Rawlins Community Assembly meets on the 1st Monday of each month at the Carbon County Higher Education Center at 6pm. The topic of discussion changes every meeting. Monday’s meeting was to address ethics concerns. Metevier said too few people attended the meeting for an official policy to be drafted.
