To recall or not to recall. That is the question all city voters must ask themselves on June 13th.

First, I have kept my word throughout my tenure as a councilman. I have always agreed to sponsor any resolution a citizen presents to me, whether I support it or not. I believe all voices have a right to be heard. My job is to bring forth concerns of all citizens, provide a forum for discussion, and vote according to its merits. In the case of Resolution 17-019, which encouraged inclusivity within city limits, it was voted down. The issue should have died that night.

In regards to the main resolution under scrutiny, we followed procedure and did not deceive anyone in the process. According to state law, when a city council member wants a resolution proposed by a citizen on the agenda, the city clerk needs to know with a draft resolution/placeholder at least a week before the city council meets so it can be noticed. The actual final resolution or ordinance needs to be in by Wednesday when the mayor and city manager review the agenda. The agenda is posted on Thursday with the resolution or ordinance that will be introduced at the meeting. Finally, the resolution is read and acted upon at the following Monday meeting. The people who came to the meeting and were upset that the “sanctuary resolution” was not on the agenda did not pay attention or understand the process. The final resolution that was entered on the Wednesday before the city council meeting was a revised inclusivity statement.

In addition, I presented the resolution supporting the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline through their lands. I alone sponsored that resolution which was copied from a Seattle version. The other two council members were not sponsors. Catriona Reynolds and Donna Aderhold, along with Mayor Zak voted in favor, and there was very little public dissent. This is something we do. After following a fair process, we either support or don’t support ideas, projects or activities that a group of people in Homer favor. Every member of our diverse constituency deserves a voice.

So on the 13th please vote and vote NO.

David Lewis was first elected to the Homer City Council in October 2008 and is now in his third term of office.