There are times in news articles that statements are taken out of context. Moreover, without the benefit of voice inflection this can lead the reader to a wrong interpretation of the originator’s statement.

Unfortunately, Virginia Beach’s City Council member Jim Wood’s contextual articulation to Virginian-Pilot’s journalist Deidre Fernandes leaves nothing to misinterpret and is pure arrogance.

Follow up:

Wood is quoted by Fernandes, “It’s the governing body’s responsibility to make a decision, … If the citizens are displeased . . . there’s a referendum on the City Council every two years.” This pompous response was in reference to Fernandes’ query to whether city council members support a voter referendum on light rail from the Oceanfront to Newtown Rd.

Six council members (Mayor Will Sessoms, Louis Jones, Harry Diezel, Ron Villanueva, Bob Dyer, and Bill DeSteph) have indicated their support for direct voter input for this massive project. A previous referendum on light rail held in the late nineties failed to garner voter support for the project. Hence, a second referendum to either validate or invalidate the public sentiment is felt by many as the logical move.

Wood however infers that there are other opportunities for public input. Yet based upon his adamant behavior on the issue, Wood gives the overall impression that he is sold on light rail as a development vehicle regardless of the result of the study being conducted.

Wood insults voter intelligence by implying that the bi-annual city council elections are referendums. Correctly, unbinding referendums are directed at a single issue to gauge public sentiment. Elections are a binding selection of a candidate’s multi-issue platform and in the hope the candidate is conveying the truth.

Most importantly, a city council decision concerning a building variance or building permit is in no way on par with the approval of hecto- millions for a transportation project. City council is part-time representation that has limited borrowing potential without electoral approval; at least, that is the intent of our City Charter.

Sadly, unchallenged bond-lawyer interpretations of our City Charter have maneuvered around its provisions. Hence, those with little respect for the electorate and the sworn of oath of office have the capability of endorsing a blank check.

Wood has clearly expressed his disdain for a comprehensive canvassing of the voter’s evaluation in regard to the light rail study. As to his stated opinion regarding elections and referendums Abraham Lincoln’s words come to mind, “It is better to be silent and thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.