HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2024 Item 7a, Smith, K.
Kathy Smith <
To:CityClerk; E-mail Council Website
Cc:RQN of SLO
Subject:Representative Government
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Good Evening,
Since there is a “surprise” vote by SLO elected leadership to make a major change in individual voting for our city
representatives, I want to express my cry for a continued democracy in our city governance.
Each of you were elected by the entirety of SLO eligible residents who chose to vote. This time around, there was
limited choice and an “accepted” outcome given no public forum to hear the candidates.
I want to go on record as supporting the District solution to assuring representative government on the City
Council. My interest in same focuses on the continued centralized housing of those running and elected. Looks a bit
like leaning in an authoritarian direction given the great effort and cost required to run for office . . . favoring the
location of the upscale housing.
The Mayor and Council are compensated much greater than the days that I served (1994-98 and 2010-2014) but there
seems a lack of interest in the population that can be addressed by recognizing the diversity of neighborhoods and
encouraging residents by focusing their election efforts on a diminished # of voters. A District system automatically
solves that issue along with having clear representation of the governing issues pertinent to those in that area of the
city.
I see NO VALUE to this idea of one vote per voter. It seems a bit like a “ploy” to fake a change just to take an action and
convince whatever governmental unit needs to pretend SLO has responded to the diversity suit.
Please ponder your responsibility as 5 out of a population of more than 500,000 that hopefully see the value of diverse
representation (in daily living in SLO) by virtue of where they live and the issues addressed every day.
Thank you for your time and concern for fair represented elected governance in San Luis Obispo
Sincerely – Kathy Smith
3057 S. Higuera St., #75
805-542-9587
mavourneen@charter.net
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