It Should Be Up to the Voters!

Dear Editor,
    Last week's article about Water Treatment Plant No. 4, "Dumping the Water Pump" [News, Feb. 20], has missed several major points. The largest is that it should not be up to the City Council or the Water Utility as to whether the plant gets built. It is up to the voters.
    The Austin City Charter, Article 7, Chapter 11, clearly states, "All revenue bonds issued by the city shall first be authorized by a majority of the qualified electors voting at an election held for such purpose."
    I refuse to buy into the myth that Austin has become too big to allow voters a stake in decisions like a half-billion-dollar water plant. If the city government is so confident that building this plant is the best thing for Austin, it should have the courage to make its case to the public.
    As the City Council election nears, one of the questions that should be asked of all prospective candidates is: "Will you respect the citizens' right to approve or disapprove of Water Treatment Plant No. 4?"