The Editor,
Re. "Should lists of voters be published after an election?" (Face to Face, The Tri-City News, July 27).
Surely, there are more pressing needs before Coquitlam city council than taking time to consider the motion being put forth by Coun. Terry O'Neill concerning an article he read in The Atlantic. The article "suggests" that publicizing voter names correlates with an increase in voter numbers.
First, there is a huge stretch between "suggests" and analytical fact. One might suggest Coun. O'Neill has too much time on his hands but does this make it fact?
Second, who would bear the cost of this publication of names in the local newspaper? The taxpayer and/or the paper? Neither would be appealing to either concern.
If the candidates and the issues aren't enough to get people out to vote, I don't think publishing their names is much of an incentive.
And if anyone really has a pressing need to see their name or the names of their friends in print, may I "suggest" the telephone book. They even have your address.
Neil Swanson, Coquitlam
