Letter: Make your voice heard in race for Richland council

My letter to the editor a month ago pointed out the need for definition of candidate councilmen qualification: capability to manage the city manager, staff and policies to meet objectives; team work on the council; and good use of the committee resources. The lack of a mandate of the people in councilmen selection was again obvious in the latest primary when less than 30 to 40 percent of eligible voters participated. Probably the same 30 to 40 percent will vote in the final selection, meaning that you will be represented by a person that is supported by 15 to 20 percent of the eligible voters, and a person not qualified for the position.

Citizens vote once a year. Developers vote every day by direct communication with city staff. Who on that city staff is going to say “no” to growth? The city council/mayor appears to be unaware of issues that arise. Ill-conceived development proposals slip by because the city codes can be broadly interpreted and supported by internal and external legal staff.

The results: Duportail Bridge tax issue; Little Badger Road safety issue, the Hayden Homes plat plan; Rachel Road issue; Claybell parking and speed limit control issues; and downtown growth proposals.

This story was originally published September 7, 2017 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Letter: Make your voice heard in race for Richland council."