PETITIONING IS A RIGHT

Editor, The Gazette:

I have the right to voice my opinion, and as a taxpaying citizen of
Canada, I have the right to know where and on what services my tax
dollars are being spent.

That also gives me the right to be opposed to how my tax dollars are
being spent. Neither city council members, the mayor, nor anybody
else has the right to tell me how I should feel about my tax dollars
being spent. It is my right to support a petition (I did not write)
that states, "We the undersigned petition council to end all spending
and discussion about medical marijuana issues that do not originate
from an outside source.

"Taking discussion time and spending any tax dollars on the issue
when, in almost the same breath, you can't afford watering, weed
eating and other summer beautification projects is offensive to us as
taxpayers."

The petition does not read that anyone signing it is opposed to
medical marijuana.

The legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes falls into the
hands of judges throughout Canada. The petition is not opposed to
lobbying to legalize medicinal marijuana; it is opposed to the
spending of our tax dollars in doing so.

I, like many parents out there, want my children to have a green ball
field to play on. I, like many others, want a safe community that
draws and attracts others to live, work and shop here. I, like many
others, want my tax dollars being spent in a manner that will
encourage the economy and growth of Grand Forks. I, like many
others, do not feel that lobbying the government or bringing in
speakers to facilitate workshops on the medical marijuana issue is
ensuring that any of the above is being taken care of with our tax
dollars.

If council members want to lobby the government or hold public
forums, by all means do so, on one's own name and dollar. If certain
council members feel attacked personally by that petition, then maybe
they should look at the manner in which they are delivering their
approach on the subject.

If people feel the need to boycott certain stores because of that
petition, they have the right to do so because that is the Canada in
which we live. Everyone has the aright to stand up for what they believe in!

Niki Best,

Grand Forks