We want their money, but we definitely don't want their traffic. RHWI seeks to establish an urban limit line for growth. ECI seeks to limit education to English. These appeals for a direct vote of the people show the diversity of issues shunned by elected officials due to their controversial nature. Who knows - maybe there will even be a vote on the Convention Center.
Democracy suffers when too many people stay on the sidelines.
With most folks working and busy doing their lives, those who can afford to spend lots of time downtown are there to make money off of deals needing government funding or approval. The few real citizens who show up are labeled blockades to progress by the power elite. The system is definitely out of balance. The end of the year is a good time to review progress, assess prospects and resolve to do better. Civic improvement is what's needed, but everything works against the average citizen at City Hall.