For Driscoll

Editor, The News-Gazette: After the 50 Ways Rockbridge Lexington City Council candidate forum, I came away with the impression that they share many common ideas, and are all reasonable and grounded in reality. In a typical election, any would deserve your vote.

However, one important way in which this election is different is the rare opportunity to elect candidate John Driscoll. John’s worldwide experience in working with various levels of government to improve community development and planning will not only elevate deliberations of City Council, but also promote fundamentally improved governance.

City Council candidates, like most politicians, assure us that they will “listen.” But to whom they are listening is critically important. While we may hope that there is equal opportunity for our concerns and desires for Lexington to be heard, there are some, through connections, motivation, or opportunity, who are “more equal than others.” I believe that John is passionately committed to bringing equity, openness, and transparency to Lexington government. Rather than advocating for a particular constituency, John is committed to community-based input and planning processes, facilitated by his extraordinary knowledge, skills, experience. The resulting explicit priorities, goals, and policies will best guide Council and Lexington forward.FRED REED Lexington