Letter to the Editor: GovWatch's message is confusing

To the Editor:

Since my Gov Watch pamphlet arrived in my mail, I've been asking myself why?

I share their enthusiasm for self governance. But Gov Watch's message is confusing:

Get involved by not trusting your elected representatives to do their job properly? Treat differences as being evidence of malfeasance?

I am really grateful to all my neighbors who take their public service responsibilities seriously: who run for office; who serve as elected officials; who volunteer in myriad ways.

I've lived here for 52 years, and i've always felt we've had a real shot at democratic self governance in Lake Forest Park. I'm deeply inspired by the vision and enthusiasm of youngers and olders who showed up last Wednesday to have a public conversation about: What is a Thriving Lake Forest Park? We saw there that we have much in common that gives us strength and vitality as a community.

So I want to encourage us to ask of candidates and organizations such as Gov Watch: does what you're proposing encourage public service? Support democratically elected representative government? Invite us to treat each other with respect? recognize we are all neighbors? And to hold each other positively accountable for the vitality and health of our local government? Show us how.

Anne Stadler

Lake Forest Park