Misunderstanding city councils

Letter to Editor

I recently heard a statement that “there are too many people on the city Council of _____ political persuasion and that balance needs to be changed by electing new people to the council”. That statement reflects a lack of understanding of the council and does a tremendous disservice to those serving on the council. The city council is a nonpartisan body tasked with making the best decisions for a city and its residents based on facts and knowledge of city needs.

Politics do not come into play on the council, regardless of what those without council experience may say. The example given was the decision to move forward with the sewer system. I attended every public meeting on this subject, heard the need addressed by the various experts in the field, and listened to council members explain the

basis of their votes. Those voting for the project did so based on their belief that it was in the best interest of the city and residents to go forward with the project. Those voting against did so based on concern for the impact on low-income city residents. Politics did not come into play. This was six dedicated, committed council members, and the mayor, voting on the merits of the system and impact on residents.

If a council candidate is running on the “need to change the political balance on the council,” they do not understand the council and are attributing political bias where it doesn’t exist. They will be very frustrated when reality sets in and they cannot influence council decisions, right or left.

Ruth Cheney, Thompson Falls