Megan Saunders's "Another Voice" column opposing Measure 14-67 suggests that we deny people the right to vote to "protect our democratic process." Let's clarify the measure, describe why it will give a voice to all the people about the parks they own, and explain why it deserves a "YES" vote.
 
Ballot measure 14-67 asks: "Shall Hood River revise its charter to prohibit the disposal of any city parkland without a public vote?"
 
Hood River citizens already vote directly to elect government leaders, choose whether to pay additional taxes for schools, or assume significant debt through bond measures. We vote to approve or reject initiatives or referendums. Measure 14-67 amends the city charter to allow the people to authorize the sale of any city park. Every voter will be able to participate in the decision.
 
Opponents claim they provide extensive outreach to the public about issues, but few people attend most council meetings. Even packed public meetings or open houses attract a fraction of the community. School, church, and work often conflict with public meetings, so the same people on either side of an issue show up most often.  Measure 14-67 gives everyone an equal voice.
 

Megan claims this measure will "undermine democracy." Nonsense. If the city council decides to sell another park, lively debates, editorials, and community meetings will expose the pros and cons. Every voter will weigh the issues and cast their vote. It's what people in a democracy do best.

​We allow our representatives to make most decisions – but not all. Voter approval is required for bond measures, tax levies, referendums, and initiatives. As Megan says, "Our democratic system is strong enough to continue to improve the community into the future." Measure 14-67 trusts voters to make the right decisions about the city parks that they own and use.
 
Megan's argument about cost, time, and "unintended consequences" is a scare tactic. Assume the City Council wants to sell more of our city parks. Oregon has two each year in May and November. Other measures or candidates are usually on the ballot, so any required vote to authorize the sale of a city park will have a negligible additional cost.
 
The higher price would be the sale of an irreplaceable community resource without giving everyone a voice. When we lose a park, children lose a safe place to play. City residents lose green space, and a valuable asset vanishes forever. Approving Measure 14-67 will let the people choose whether to give up their local park.
 

Megan claims that the amendment will "make it hard for elected representatives to take advantage of new opportunities." That's also nonsense. Nothing in the measure affects the purchase of new land for parks. Measure 14-67 protects newly-acquired parks along with existing parks. Parkland donors will have the reassurance that their donation will be respected. We welcome more parks and want to protect them through Measure 14-67.
 
Don't be afraid to amend the city charter to give our residents decision-making power about parks. The strength of Oregon's city charters is in their reflection of local issues and values. Corvallis and West Linn residents use their charters to protect parks from sale without the people's vote. Ashland's charter funds its annual festival. Sandy's citizens vote to approve annexations. Pendleton residents keep solid waste transfer stations away from homes. Oregon's voter initiatives show a healthy respect for the will of the people and city charters reflect those values.
 
The parks belong to the people – old and young, from every background. Every voter should have a say in whether to keep or sell a park. Reject fear. Embrace the democratic process. Extend the vote to protect parks. Our initiative process gives you the right to vote to add park protection to our charter on November 5. Use your vote then to vote "YES" on Measure 14-67.

Tracey Tomasphol, Oct. 17