The people have spoken

Published 1:00 am Friday, October 3, 2008

It’s the day after. I’m exhausted. I still have no idea whether or not the Tollgate bond passed. I spent a good portion of the day thinking about the election. I expected that I’d either be writing an editorial delivering congratulations, or condolences. Instead, I find myself looking at the election in a much more philosophical manner.

Even without knowing the final results, I am stuck by the fact that the citizens of North Bend were not complacent. No matter how we cast our individual lots, we exercised our fundamental rights. We were able to validate this election in spite of the fact that this was only one small measure on the ballot, in spite of low-voter turnout in the rest of the county, in spite of the tumultuous events of the past week.

We may disagree. We may have different opinions about the future direction of North Bend, but what is important is that we made our voices heard.

There can be no denying that the people have spoken. We have spoken. We have been represented. These are some of the fundamental principles that united the founding fathers, many of whom gave their lives to ensure we have those same rights. It is our democracy that is one of the cornerstones of our freedom, and what unites us today.

Perhaps I’m feeling patriotic. Perhaps last week touched a nerve. I’d like to think it is something else. I believe that we in North Bend understand what a gift we have been given by having an opportunity to make a decision on Tollgate Farm. I’m proud to say we didn’t squander that opportunity.

So, whatever happens with this bond measure, it is clear that those who seek to divide us, terrorize us and remove our freedoms, could not do so in our town.

Bill Wittress

North Bend