Council Can’t Please Everyone Letter Of The Week: From Feb. 7

Dick Adams, president of Citizens Putting Priorities First, is quoted, “The citizens have voiced their concerns over and over again to City Council members regarding this corporate welfare issue and they have refused to listen.” (Feb. 1, Spokesman-Review)

If indeed Adams made that statement, I challenge it on two counts.

First, I have watched council meetings and been impressed by the manner in which the mayor and council members listen to the people who come forward to speak on various issues. That the decisions reached are against the stands of Citizens Putting Priorities First does not in itself mean they have not been listened to.

Second, that group does not contain all the citizens of Spokane. Many of us have spoken to our mayor and council members in support of the downtown revitalization project. It is apparent that they have listened to us, just as I believe they have listened to Citizens Putting Priorities First, but in their wisdom they have voted to go ahead with the revitalization of downtown Spokane.

Under our democratic system of government we delegate to our elected representatives the work of running city, county, state and national governments. We expect them to do that and to exercise leadership. Citizen input at hearings of civic committees, commissions and council meetings is a part of that system.

I urge Citizens Putting Priorities First to continue to make their views known to our City Council, just as I will. But please, don’t claim you are not listened to when the council does not vote as you wish.

The Rev. Canon Charles E. Wood

Spokane

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