Bicycling and Democracy

My Pierce County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet for the August 6 primary election arrived in Saturday’s mail.

Not long after looking through the pamphlet, my telephone rang.

A woman wanted to know my thoughts on education in Lakewood and how I thought it benefited the city.

I explained that education is vital to economic growth and that economic growth is vital to education.  The strength of one strengthens the other, and that I am committed to both.

A bit later, a gentleman called and wanted to know what I think about diversity in city government and what I would do to ensure that all citizens have equal access.

I told him I agreed with the intent of his question – equal access by all citizens is Constitutional guaranteed and that I would settle for nothing less.

In due time, I received an email from a gentleman who wondered about my record of service.

I replied that my prior service in the military and city government and my present service in education have prepared me in meeting the economic and other issues the city now and would face.

I added that my drive to serve on the City Council is premised on the simple notion that serving on that body is an opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of Lakewood, the city in which I live and work.

In other words, I want to work with others to pass a vibrant city to posterity.

As I reflect back on the conversations I had yesterday – to say nothing of the talks I’ve had with folks I’ve met the last four weeks while doorbelling – I am reminded of the following analogy:

Like a bicycle, democracy functions best when it is in motion, and that means when voters are involved in determining the best government they want. 

That citizen involvement means asking questions of the candidates running for City Council.

Feel free to ask away. I can be reached at (253) 414-4678 or jmsimpson1@gmail.com.