A Westminster residents group called for the ouster of the city council exactly one year ago this week, but the organization has dropped out of the public spotlight in recent months now that its founding president works in Central America.
“That?s usually a good thing, when it?s quiet. That signals to me that we are responding to the concerns that were raised,” Westminster Common Council President Roy Chiavacci said.
Main Street resident Carter Clews formed the Greater Westminster Citizens? Coalition amid protests last year of increases in the property tax and water and sewer rates.
After unsuccessfully calling for a recall election, Clews met with the city council to air a litany of concerns, from safety downtown to an alleged lack of solid fiscal stewardship.
Looking back on the group Wednesday, Clews said he was proud of its accomplishments.
In June 2006, Westminster police Chief Jeffrey Spaulding held a town meeting with residents at the coalition?s request, eventually ramping up patrols to combat crime.
Softening the group?s animosity toward elected officials, Clews called for a moratorium on criticizing city officials in July, saying that residents could accomplish more by working cooperatively with the city council. This drew fire from some residents who said the spirit of the group was to question, not to align.
The coalition then sponsored a children?s marble game in October but then fell silent after Clews took a job in February marketing resort properties on Keyhole Bay in Roatan, Honduras.
“I?ll make a million and come back and buy Pennsylvania Avenue,” he said Wednesday on his cell phone from Westminster.
Clews said he still owns his house on Main Street but spends most of his time overseas.
Cindy Myerly has taken over as president, but she could not be reached for comment.
