42ND DISTRICT LEGISLATORS CENSOR QUESTIONS

Rather than allow constituents to ask questions directly at the so-called 42nd District town hall for state legislators Sharon Shewmake, Alicia Rule, and Joe Timmons, the February 21 event was controlled by a gatekeeper who reviewed written questions to decide which were easy to answer and not embarrassing for the legislators. At real town halls, government officials are held accountable by their constituents. What the 42nd District legislators did was a dog-and-pony show.

Avoiding accountability by manipulating the public process--in town halls, city council meetings, and public hearings--is what these legislators have in common with the City of Blaine. Their disdain toward public participation is only overshadowed by their devotion to the real estate industry.

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