Vic Loomis should be ashamed of himself. Upon opening my State News on Oct. 16, I encountered a guest column from East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis (Future city plans hurt by petitions, SN 10/16). I was curious as to what he had to say considering there is seldom a column from figures held in such high esteem as a mayor. As I began reading, however, I became incensed at selfish rhetoric spewing from his pen. Loomis condemns the ballot initiative process students have started to cease the City Center II project.

Perhaps this is just my dedication to justice and Democratic ideals showing, but it seems very contrary for a publicly-elected official to be condemning a facet of the public law and policy process that goes against his own particular selfish views. In his column, Loomis claims we are “flirting with the chaotic California style ‘government-by-referendum’ that has paralyzed that state.” While I will admit some referendums like “three-strikes” in California are detrimental, when a city initiative is contrary to the interests of citizens — both permanent residents and students — it is their right and responsibility to exercise every outlet available to protect themselves.