Community groups back poet laureate resolution; council approves it on consent

Poets, writers and community members urged the Whittier City Council on Aug. 26 to adopt a resolution creating a poet laureate program and a youth poet laureate stream. Speakers described Whittier’s literary history and said the honorary position would boost arts education and community engagement.

Why it matters: More than half a dozen poets and community arts organizers told the council the program would support local writers, provide outreach to students and bring cultural visibility to a city named after the poet John Greenleaf Whittier.

Robin Axworthy, who leads the Writers Club of Whittier Poetry Workshop, said the city "deserves to have a poet laureate" and noted local arts partnerships and book events that could expand under a formal program. Nancy Lanay Wu, who mentors youth poets in Long Beach, said laureate programs often include a social‑impact component and bring services to schools. "Poets Laureate are people of service to their community," she said.

Council action: The resolution creating the poet laureate position was on the consent calendar and was approved as part of the consent vote. No separate public hearing or roll‑call vote specific to the resolution was recorded; councilmembers approved the consent calendar with the standard roll call.

Next steps: Staff and the Cultural Arts Commission will publish application materials and outreach plans, and the city will accept applications as described by the Cultural Arts Commission and library trustees, speakers said.

Ending: Supporters said the program would be low‑cost, would encourage student participation and would enhance Whittier’s cultural profile.