Letter: Public speaks through its votes
To the community,
Voting is the opportunity for government to be brought into alignment with the wishes of its citizens. Voting is that precious American right to elect candidates to public office who will govern and shape the future of the community.
The local election results tell us that our California chamber is on the right path. Our high energy and experienced voluntary board of directors have our ears to the ground and a sense of what the people of our community are thinking. The voters want a voice and appear to be listening to our message.
As California’s chamber of commerce, we will continue and redouble our efforts to create community where there is opportunity and prosperity for all and where government officials respects the voice of its residents and protects the rights of property owners and existing business owners and operators. We want to work with like-minded individuals and organizations to achieve these goals.
Finally, I want to thank Peggy Bourland and the Keep Tahoe Tahoe group for their extraordinary effort to qualify a measure for the ballot on public parking. They exercised their rights and the people have spoken. I also want to thank the City Council for agreeing to place the matter on the ballot. It is now time city government officials and the community to engage in a truly collaborative process and devise an acceptable parking management program that has broad community support.
George Alm, president South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce
George,
You make some good points, however the very poor turnout in this election, and in general most of the rest I am aware of is a very serious apparent problem.
Many voters seem to have become so jaded with the political process that it is not seen as worth their time to participate.They have lost faith in the system.
The petty issues that occupy so much rehtoric, the tunnel vision of the elected officials, the obvious point that too many elections are “bought”, the patent lies that politicians spit from the podiums in an attempt only to damage the opposition are all discouraging to voters who see their concerns being ignored.
What happened to the concept that elected officials work for their constituent’s goals?
We don’t elect politicans necessarily for their brains, and any idea that they are smarter than the guys who pick up your garbage is just wrong.
Somehow, we need a breakthrough election where all predictions go out the window and the majority of the people actually unseat as many incumbents as possible, and give politicians who haven’t been in office long enough to be corrupted a chance.
Observer:
I think you are right on target of the seriousness of voter apathy and of its causes. We are now a society where the minority decides for the majority and it’s because the majority just won’t bother to participate.
Spouse – 4-mer-usmc
But the too close to call EDC Board of Supervisors race shows just how important every vote CAN be.
Voter apathy does not exist. It is a concept that ignores the reality of statistics. When you have a close election like this the people are saying there is no difference between the candidates. Throwing more votes at it is not going to create a difference between the candidates.
http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.php?lid=576&type=student
Why is it that South Lake Tahoe hates change that would result in a better economy
for all businesses and residents alike.
Ms. Curry:
Thank you for posing that question. My spouse and/or I have offered speculations on that in the past for which we have been criticized and called names. I can’t wait to hear any forthcoming responses to your query.
Spouse – 4-mer-usmc
Constantly raising various fees, and not confronting our bloated bureaucracy, is business as usual. (And having people retire at 100% or more of their last year’s pay is NOT confronting it!)
Yes on P passing is a start to ending business as usual!
The most appropriate choice that could likely be added to California’s election candidate selections would be “None of the Above”. South Lake Tahoe included.
Let the voters speak!
If I’m correct: In the USA, only Nevada offers the “None of these Candidates” option on elections.
“Voter apathy does not exist?” “Bloated bureaucracy?” “None of the Above?” At 23% turnout, voters obviously did not feel the need to vote. Just to do a little comparison: Italy has a 90% turnout, Sweden has a 85% turnout, Germany has a 80% turnout and Japan has a 70% turnout. Even in the 2012 Presidential Year, voter turnout was at 58% in the USA.