To the editor:

I often read Lawrence city commissioners quoted saying “that’s not what the people who elected me want” — and it is usually something that they oppose. Things like growth, support for development, expanding retail and the East Ninth Street arts project.

I think that it’s important to point out that the biggest vote getter last year garnered only 6,131 votes, about 13.8 percent of registered voters in Lawrence. Once elected, their job should be to represent all the citizens of Lawrence, not just those who voted for them.

In an apparent attempt by the commission to do just that, the Ninth Street project was subject to a most extensive process to get input from a large constituency. Many public meetings were held, adjustments made and several commissions recommended moving forward. Indeed it was the most pondered project in recent memory.

Despite that and the number of people who spoke publicly in support of the project, our City Commission continues to ponder on about the project. I wonder if some commissioners are trying to figure out how to appease the less than 15 percent of registered voters who voted for them, rather than hearing the voices of the majority.

So the lesson for me is this: We get the commission we deserve if we opt not to vote.