I’m writing this in response to Sholeh Patrick’s recent article casting doubt on the viability of local referendums giving guidance to elected officials. These votes would be advisory in nature and would not hold any legal ramifications. No one is advocating that the public should vote on every expenditure or decision that the government makes, such as purchasing a new police car. A project that spends millions of dollars and affects large portions of the city should have an advisory vote, especially if it’s as controversial as the McEuen Park or the new land development code the county is writing. Ms. Patrick recommends hiring professionals with experience to guide local government but I question how effective that is when you consider the professionals hired to guide the land use codes.

Ms. Patrick cites an attorney on the legality of public votes which decide an issue, this may be true but we are talking about an advisory vote, it’s up to the governing body to make the final decision. And yes, if we don’t like the final outcome we can change representatives at the next election. As Ms. Patrick points out, our elections are decided by a small voter turnout and this sad fact is true whether it would be for an advisory vote or an actual election. Her column implies that a few voters (advisory vote) influencing decisions is bad but even fewer voters making decisions (City Council) is good.

The first step in correcting voter apathy is electing Mary Souza because she listens and believes in leadership that is FOR and BY the people. She listens to the people who love their city and also “pay the bills.” She is upbeat about Coeur d’Alene’s future so let’s make a change for respectful leadership in November. Vote Mary Souza.

SHELLEY WOODARD

Coeur d’Alene