Officials must think of what's best for all

Past city councils (and other elected bodies) have had, and probably will have, members who have a closed mind when it comes to their pet agenda. They intend to shove it down the throats of everyone else while displaying an ability to close their minds to options, facts and opinions of others.

Local agenda-driven issues have ranged from the bypass to fluoride; sidewalks to milfoil; the downtown business improvement district to coal trains. In many cases, the firm believers’ obstructionist tactics have cost the city and residents dearly.

If elected by the often minority local voter turnout, they believe they have been given a mandate to further their agenda. Even though many residents don’t vote, and non-resident business owners can’t vote, these citizens still need to be considered by the representatives.

I have projects I believe in but I won’t vote for a candidate who focuses so strongly on any one, that he or she simply ignores, or is blind to, options or facts that don’t support their fundamentalist belief in the issue. I want elected representatives that will think and listen to other viewpoints; ones that will consider what is best for the community, not just what is best for their project.

KEN SANGER

Sandpoint