I am deeply disappointed, even if not surprised, that our City Council, made up entirely of white men, chose to preserve white male privilege last week. They were presented with an opportunity to demonstrate to Page and the surrounding area that they desire to diversify and include more perspectives and identities, and instead they showed the opposite. A clear message was sent to the female and non-white candidates for the open City Council seat, and to anyone who may desire to get involved in the future, that this body prefers to consolidate power among white male bodies. 

Our mayor told me in a personal conversation last year that there are rarely qualified Native Americans who successfully declare candidacy for local office, and this fact explained the troubling demographics of City Council. His leadership, or lack of, this past Wednesday served to show that this is a ruse. 

The demographics of our City Council and the desire of the members to preserve them are unacceptable, and we as citizens must communicate this through public comments, private conversations, our votes and by perseverance in finding and supporting candidates of diverse heritage and perspective. Come on, Page, it is time to hold our City Council accountable to be truly representative of our area, and time to get involved, especially if you have a different opinion and perspective.