Time to vote.

Town elections are notorious for a generally low voter turnout.

It is time to buck that trend.

Tuesday, voters will decide on a mayor. Though the mayor of Pagosa Springs does not possess any formidable formal powers, he or she is, if nothing else, a symbol. At best, the mayor can and should be a leader — someone capable of edging the town council (which does hold the power to make decisions for the town and its residents) toward actions blessed with short-and long-term benefits. He or she should have the savvy and positive working relationships with colleagues and staff needed to do productive political work.

Voters will also decide whether or not to delete a section of the town’s regulations dealing with so-called “Big Box” development.

Given the fact no big-box developer is likely to look at Pagosa Springs as a site for a mega-store any time in the near future, this contest might seem somewhat less than pressing. But, proponents of the action state their belief that deleting the section from the regs will boost the options for economic development, while those seeking a no vote claim the contents of the regs, if retained, will give the town the tools needed to better deal with large-scale retail development once the time comes to consider it.

The voters must decide.

Pity that they must.

I am not a resident of Pagosa Springs, but I follow its politics closely enough to know this issue should never have come to the voters. Some time back, when council debated deleting the regs in question, the notion was expressed (by council member Shari Pierce) that council and staff should rework the overall regs with ample public input. Other members of council decided otherwise and thus began the process that ultimately led to petitions being circulated and a referendum being put on the ballot.

The regs should have been revised, via the standard process (involving public commissions and public meetings and hearings). Government by referendum is rarely a good idea and officials should take any and all avenues away from it.

In this case, they didn’t.

So, it is up to the voters.

For all of you who care about their leaders, for those who complain about government, for all of you who believe your opinion doesn’t count, the voting booth awaits.

Next Tuesday, go to the polls. Buck the trend.