Regarding Public Input

Over the past several months, there have been several hot-button issues in Culver City that have suddenly piqued the interest of the general public, with some accusations of a lack of public input.  One of these issues is the matter of the that our school district is carefully considering for allocation. 

Another target is the imminent development of the downtown real estate known as .

In my opinion, there has been an ongoing misunderstanding of the role of the conscientious citizen vis á vis the responsibility of our government to solicit public input on decision making.

My first issue has to do with people who come late to the party, who at the 11th hour, after much of the hard work has been done, decide to arrive and change the theme.  With some exceptions, most of our community’s big and small, important and not-so-important decisions have been aired at the regular city council or school board meetings with plenty of notice.

At these meetings, you can be sure to find the usual gadflies; those who are at every meeting and are ready to aim their criticism at the appropriate targets.  There are also those of us who pay attention, but interject only when we feel necessary or feel passionate about a particular issue.

Regardless the issue, most of the public discussion surrounding these topics are announced via the local news outlets, the city and school district websites, regular email updates which anyone can subscribe to, robo-calls, and occasionally through direct mail. 

When an issue arises, there is little excuse not to know about it ahead of time.  I cannot recall a single significant issue that has occurred in this city that I haven’t known about, and had the opportunity to voice my opinion about.

However, somehow, many people frequently find themselves blindsided by things such as the or the proposed capital improvements to our schools.

My second issue is with the lack of understanding of how our government works.  In case people forgot what was taught in civics classes, we live in a republic where we elect individuals to make decisions for us.  It is actually in the pledge of allegiance:  “… and to the republic for which it stands…”   A republic.

There are far too many fine details to every issue for every person to be able to weigh in on; and not all decisions affect all people equitably.  What may be a bad decision for a minority of people may be a great decision for the majority.  Not every interest can be equally served.  Tough decisions are made; our forefathers new this. 

The time for citizens to truly take advantage of a democratic process is when every citizen executes their right to vote.  This is where you elect people to make many important and sometimes difficult decisions.  Unfortunately, very few people exercise that right.

This is not to say that the city council and the school board should not solicit the input of its citizens on issues that affect them.  It is important to engage the public on major decisions such as the development of Parcel B and the proposed multi-million dollar improvements of our schools.

They have.  And I have had ample opportunity to make an impact on these decisions by paying attention and providing my input.

There is no reason why any other citizen should be less aware than I.  I don’t work for the city or the school district, and I don’t hold an elected office.  The difference is that I, and what is seemingly a handful of others, make the effort to know what is going on in our city, our country and the world.

Tomorrow, Culver City residents will have the opportunity to execute their democratic right to elect two people to represent their best interests.  History tells us that around 15 percent of registered voters will. 

I am not the other 85 percent.  Are you?