To the editor:

The City Commission election campaign is getting in full swing, and I find that exciting. The local election is a process where ordinary individuals can have a direct effect on the outcome.

I support some of the candidates with unskilled labor, with my vote and, yes, with money. Why do I do this? I don’t expect that the election results will affect my financial condition substantially. I get involved because I believe some of the candidates will do a better job of making our community a good place to live. This is the essence of democracy.

People who do have a financial stake in the outcome of the election also have a perfect right to invest in candidates who they perceive will make decisions beneficial to them. For example, at the recent debate ,the candidates did seem to differ on the issue of making new housing – chiefly apartments and mid-range houses – pay for the necessary additional infrastructure and city services. Currently, all of us subsidize this new housing through our taxes. Additional fees or other restrictions on building could have a financial impact on some people and businesses, and they certainly would want to protect their interests.

Knowing the sources of financial support may reveal as much about the candidates as their public statements. I would challenge all candidates and the Journal-World to publish the sources of their campaign funds. This would provide additional information to help us make these important decisions.

Joe Douglas,

Lawrence