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Category: Readers' Opinions

■ 28 January 2009 | 5:00 AM

Step up to the plate

Re 'Referendum, please, before Beach commits to light rail' (Kerry Dougherty, Hampton Roads, Jan. 25): I can't think of an occasion that should prompt a voter referendum except for an election of representatives. We elect/ hire our representatives to work on our behalf. We expect them to be more knowledgeable on the issues and to make tough, unpopular decisions. They have the experience, perspective and staff. Decisionmaking is their responsibility.

Public referendums are more about public advertising from special interests and less about the long-term importance of the issue. Public referendums give politicians a vehicle for shirking their responsibility.

In my view, the referendum was wrong 10 years ago and would be wrong today not necessarily the outcome, but the referendum itself. The elected leaders of Virginia Beach need to do their duty.

Robert Turner

Chesapeake

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