To the editor:

On Nov. 5, in addition to other important matters, we will vote on proposed changes to city government. On Thursday I attended a meeting at the library sponsored by the League of Women Voters to provide information about that issue. Three well-respected past city commissioners, John Nalbandian (chairman of the task force that studied our city government), Courtney Shipley and Mike Rundle presented something of the history of this project along with some options for changes and the pros and cons of those options. There were perhaps 50 people in attendance. I know of two other informational meetings this month and a forum in 2022.

What did I learn?

1. After considerable study, a task force recommended an elected mayor and election of commissioners by districts.

2 The City Commission changed those recommendations, most notably by allowing the elected mayor to vote at commission meetings only in case of ties.

3. Only a tiny fraction of possible voters will have been exposed to any discussion/description of these possible changes.

4. As Rundle put it, there has been no convincing assertion that something in the present system is broken — hence, no need for fixing it.

Democracy only works with an informed electorate. It appears not many voters will know much about this issue when they have to vote next month, and that is reason enough to vote no. Beyond that I see no advantage to or need for these possible changes. I recommend voting no unless you are really sure of what you are doing.

Joe Douglas,

Lawrence