Regarding the Wednesday article, “Everett committee scraps geographic districts for council members”:
After months gathering data about voting, councilman Paul Roberts concluded that “lack of citizen participation and engagement” among the poorer areas of the city justifies the wealthier areas maintaining all the power.
Apparently, councilman Roberts thinks people who don’t vote shouldn’t be represented by the council, although I’m sure he has heard the term “voter suppression” among the not so wealthy.
In the city of Snohomish (with seven “at large” positions”) similar power is concentrated in one district. That is one reason why the citizens recently voted to shake-up city hall by passing Proposition 2. I will support Snohomish City Council and mayoral candidates who favor geographical districts in this year’s elections.
Councilman Roberts should rethink maintaining the unfair status quo and look for a compromise, such as dividing Everett’s 105,000 population into four geographic districts, each having a council position, plus three “at large” positions.
And certainly, councilman Roberts and his fellow council members shouldn’t be making wild claims and lame excuses that poorer neighborhoods won’t be able to offer any council candidates with experience, character and education.
Morgan Davis
Snohomish
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