City council makes an end run around democracy

An open letter to T.O. Councilmembers Fox, Irwin and Gillette:

In our democracy no right is considered more fundamental than the right to vote. Voting allows citizens to hold their leaders accountable and gives them a voice in government decisions. The democratic way is to let every person’s vote count the same as another person’s vote.

Your decision to appoint instead of allow an election for Councilmember Masry’s seat shows that you believe your vote is more important than the voters’.

When you decided to appoint, the wishes of Councilmember Masry, his family and the rights of the voters were abrogated.

Your decision to appoint someone to serve for three years means Thousand Oaks voters will not even be able to vote for Councilmember Masry’s replacement in the upcoming council election in November.

This is not democratic and I am going to work to change state law to require that vacated council seats be decided at the next council election. It is too late for such a change in law to impact your decision. That is a mistake that only you can correct, since the three of you now wield the only votes that count. Linda Parks Ventura County Supervisor

Parks previously served on the Thousand Oaks City Council.