Letter to the Editor: How to engage city council members

To the Editor:

In response to Nara Kim's concern about city council members reaching out to citizens, (see letter):

City Council members in Shoreline work very part time and are paid just a modest stipend for their council work. Therefore they must also maintain their paying jobs.

Why don't you meet the candidates and council members halfway by going to neighborhood association meetings, attending and speaking at council meetings and of course by writing via the city website?

That's how citizens engage politicians. Expecting them to come and find you in your home or place of business is just not a reasonable expectation.

Use your voice and be heard, and get some facts about your avenues of input. Council members put in a lot of time, for not much pay - I am sure it doesn't add up to a few bucks an hour, maybe pennies. They have volumes of reading, staff and municipal reports, laws and regulations to balance, and they do hear from many community members when it comes time to make decisions.

If you weren't one of the voices, do something to be heard. Good luck!

CaraLee Cook
Shoreline