Response to Voting record article

He is my official response to the article that ran on Sunday, September 6th:

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090906/NEWS10/909060465&s=d&page=1#pluckcomments


8 September 2009
To the editor
I am writing in response to the article that was published this past Sunday, September 6th, regarding my voting record.

1. The information presented not entirely correct. Previously, The Observer had emailed me a list of elections and votes which showed that since 2004 there were 16 voting cycles, yet The Observer reported that there were 18. In addition to that error, The Observer emailed me a list of the City Clerk's records which showed that I missed 9 voting cycles, not the 11 that the Sunday paper reported.

2. The reporter did not give me the opportunity I requested to address why I did not vote. In some of the instances I was not even living in Michigan due to work responsibilities.

3. I had requested that the reporter call me back so that I could take the time to look at my records to give more detailed responses but again, this request was not honored.

I believe voting is an important civic responsibility. I am not making excuses for missed votes; I am simply trying to provide some background as to why they were missed. I do not believe that a missed vote as a private citizen tarnishes my professional accomplishments and skills, nor do I believe that they will impact my ability to do an excellent job as a future member of City Council. Please remember that voting in general elections is different than voting in-session when you are an elected official. Thank you for the opportunity to respond.

With sincere regards,
Lucas C. McGrail, Associate AIA, LEED® AP
Architect