Letter: The job of representative government to respect the choices made by its constituents

I was troubled by the last section of The Tribune’s editorial on Jan. 9, dealing with plans for the reconstruction of 2100 South.

You wrote: “Most people like to drive their heavy, expensive, dirty cars just about everywhere they go. To some extent it falls to city and state government to roll their eyes, sigh, and help them to do just that.” You conclude that our public officials should, in this case, “take more of a leadership posture” and do something else.

Really!?

I was under the impression that it was the job of representative government to respect the choices made by its constituents, not to treat voters’ preferences with contempt and condescension. Many of these voters are also your subscribers.

People going to dinner or shopping decide to use their cars when it is the most convenient way for them to do those things. Sugar House is already a pedestrian friendly neighborhood, but people have to be able to get there before they can walk around. Why should our elected leaders spend taxpayer money to make it less convenient for “most people” to shop and dine in Sugar House?

I would note, as someone who puts most of his miles on a Chevrolet Bolt, that not everyone drives heavy, expensive and dirty cars. With the market share of electric vehicles growing rapidly, the parking lots in Sugar House are likely to be filled with a mix of vehicles you will find less offensive in ten years’ time.

J. Alan Crittenden, Salt Lake City

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