Op-Ed: Statement from GOV WATCH

Gov Watch would like to congratulate all candidates participating in elections for Lake Forest Park council and mayor positions. With the combination of campaign pamphlets from candidates, public forums, newspaper editorials and letters to editors, neighborhood coffees and Gov Watch pamphlets, the campaigns provided citizens with unprecedented information to determine their voting preferences.

It is most gratifying to read and hear all candidates pledge to address the budget issues without raising taxes and without expenditures exceeding revenues. All citizens will be interested and following the course of events as the new budget is developed. We encourage all citizens to attend Council meetings and remain engaged over events and issues.

Congratulations to those candidates who prevailed. The citizens of Lake Forest Park are counting on your efforts to retain the quality of our services with the revenues available. We recognize these tasks shall not be easily met given the economic times we are in but we have confidence you will find the checks and balances necessary to see our City through these times.

Lake Forest Park is more a community than a city, more residential in character than our neighbors and certainly more involved in community affairs. Yes, we may have different views politically but we all share the same sense of values, respect one another and enjoy the fellowship that a small town provides. It is in that spirit that we wish all newly elected officials success in the coming years.

Jack Tonkin

Committee Member