Ban Cam Activist responds to Redmond Councilmember Cole's "dismissal of signature gathering efforts"

Activist Scott Harlan

LETTER:  Redmond's Ban Cam Activist Scott Harlan writes to "Voters Decide For Redmond", the following:

Council President Richard Cole said in yesterday's Redmond Reporter:   

"Council's [red light safety program] decision will be based on the infraction and collision data, not a few thousand signatures.

 “Our decision on whether we renew the contract or not will virtually have nothing to do with (Harlan's) signature gathering," said Cole, adding that council members would certainly take notice if Harlan brought in 25,000 signatures. "That would send a message," he said.

Mr. Cole’s dismissal of our effort as being only 1/5th of what it would take to get the council’s attention is a dismissal of the campaign’s volunteers and supporters and their incredible effort. It is a dismissal of at least 3,845 registered voters in Redmond that have, or will, take the time to sign the petition, put a stamp on an envelope, and send it in to us. Please reach out to Redmond Council council@redmond.gov  and let them know that it is their job to listen to the citizens of their city.

The initiative law was written such that 15% of the registered voters in a city can sign a petition to put a measure on the ballot (in the case of Redmond, that is 3,845). The drafters of that law wanted to create a very high hurdle for voter access to the ballot. We hope to hit that high hurdle.Mr. Cole is saying, “Thanks for your efforts, but a few thousand signatures is a drop in the bucket. Bring me five times that amount and then we’ll notice”. 4,000 to 5,000 votes is what it takes to elect a mayor or city council member in Redmond.  Read More >>

Are those thousands of votes as inconsequential as the signatures from thousands of voters about a topic they disagree on?  The citizens of the city have a guaranteed right under the Constitution to petition its government.  That right to petition, guaranteed by the First Amendment, provides a critical voice to the people.  Elected officials take an oath to abide by the Constitution.  Using that tool, in as respectful and civil a manner as possible, the voters are (and will) be telling the city that they want to vote on this issue. 

Please send an email to the council at council@redmond.gov . Send a letter to the editor of the Redmond Reporter. Comment on the campaign’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/no.red.light.cameras . Please remind our public servants that they are there to serve the public and not ignore the massive grassroots chorus this issue has generated from thousands of registered Redmond voters. Please have your friends, contacts, and colleagues who share your views do the same. The only thing I ask is that everyone be as respectful as possible. There is enough ammunition on this issue to create a healthy debate. I do not want our comments to be personal attacks.Having said that, I find it difficult to believe that any elected official could so casually dismiss the opinions of thousands of voters.

Here is a link to the entire Redmond Reporter article: Many are asking for a status on the campaign.  We’re working very hard, we’re not there yet, but we continue to put in a lot of time and energy to get us over the top.  The finish line is well within sight if we execute strongly over the next few weeks.

Thank you,

Scott Harlan

Redmond Ban Cam Activist

Edited by RNB for clarity & brevity  

Internet photos