Letter to the Editor: Repeating false information is not the way to exercise accountability

To the Editor:

Mrya Gansburg writes about GovWatch's commitment to the democratic process. I am looking at their pamphlet I received recently in the mail. My response to her is: "What your group does speaks so loudly, it's hard to hear what you say"

GovWatch implies that incumbents are trying to hoodwink their constituents. e.g.: The opening inside panel about Transparency: After posing a series of questions implying that the reader doesn't know something about the issue identified, GovWatch says: "Most of us know little about them. Why?" The context here is Transparency -- the implication is: Your government is hiding something from you.

Myra speaks of "accountability." Casting aspersions and repeating false information are not the way to exercise accountability. Participating on City Commissions, volunteering and following up volunteer commitments, paying timely attention to the affairs of the city is.

Myra and I want a thriving Lake Forest Park. So I invite her and all of us to unite around that vision, and to hold ourselves accountable for being the change we seek-- in all of what we do.

And we have an opportunity to reflect on what citizenship in a democracy is: On November 3rd at 7:00pm in Third Place Commons, I hope you'll participate in the Great Citizenship Game--a public conversation about the values and practices of citizenship, sponsored by the City Club and hosted by Friends of Third Place Commons.

Anne Stadler

Lake Forest Park