Our constitutional right to question and criticize | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 10:03 am Monday, May 9, 2016

To the editor:

We write in response to Councilman Townsend’s letter to the editor published on April 8.

We agreed with the Bainbridge Island Review editorial of March 18, regarding Mayor Tollefson’s attempt to silence criticism of his and others’ votes at a city council meeting regarding Suzuki.

As reported, Mayor Tollefson stated, “I want us to be thought of as a council who’s making decisions and not as individuals who deserve either slings or pats on the back.”

In his letter, Councilman Townsend took issue with your opinion that democracy does not and should not work like that. In fact, as you stated, our elected officials must be held accountable for their statements and votes.

Indeed, it is our duty as citizens to question, test and yes ­— even criticize — the statements, positions and votes of our elected officials. This criticism is not “shaming” or “character attacks” as asserted by Councilman Townsend. This is political speech — the most highly protected speech under the U.S. Constitution. Any attempt to silence it must be revealed and rejected.

LISA AND CHRIS NEAL

Bainbridge Island