Dear Town Council Members,
As most of you know, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting and expanding voting rights and ensuring that there is transparency, accountability and citizen engagement that supports good government.
We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation at the local, state, and national levels. Any attempt to weaken or sidestep the democratic process is, therefore, a matter of deep concern to the League.
The issue of disc golf in Portsmouth has occupied many hours of discussion both in this Council and throughout the community.
On September 8, after extensive consideration, the Council approved a two-year trial period for the creation of a disc golf course in Portsmouth.
The same questions have been asked and answered repeatedly for months. Over time it has become clear that the amount of additional explanation and documentation requested became disproportionately burdensome and appeared to apply an uneven standard to this particular proposal.
The fact that disc golf has returned to the Council’s agenda twice since the September 8th vote is concerning and raises questions about the stability of the democratic process. Constantly revisiting a settled issue after a formal vote undermines the legitimacy of decision-making. When the democratic process is repeatedly challenged in this way, public trust erodes as constituents begin to question whether decisions are fair, transparent, and final. Accountability weakens, and confidence in the Council’s ability to make and uphold decisions is diminished. If decisions can be overturned through pressure, misinformation, or repeated challenges, elected officials may stop acting in the public’s interest and instead respond only to the loudest and persistent voices.
Democracy depends on accepting outcomes (even unpopular ones) and moving forward.
I urge you to choose to uphold the democratic process and accept the decison of the Council on September 8th.
Respectfully,
Christine Stenning, Portsmouth
President, League of Women Voters Newport County