Referendum gives voters true voice The Plover Village Board was asked Monday night to hold a referendum on a couple of issues. One question was whether a power plant should be located in the village. The second was whether the village should allow future development of heavy manufacturing within its boundaries. The board decided against letting residents vote on the issues, with trustees saying it is their responsibility to make the decisions, and that's what they were elected for. Elected officials do have to make the decisions, and a referendum shouldn't be held on every issue. Holding a referendum on an important issue is one way for elected officials to show they want residents, and voters, to voice their opinion. And their isn't much cost involved, particularly for a municipal referendum during a regularly-scheduled election. Elected officials don't have to follow the vote on a referendum, it's only advisory. Earlier this month, the village held a referendum on a gambling casino. Trustees were reportedly in favor of the casino, but voters were more than 2-1 against, and the trustees unanimously supported the vote-result in a later action. The public deserves to provide input on an issue. Too often, members of the public are unfamiliar with the rigid order followed in a meeting agenda and miss their opportunity to speak their piece. When denied the chance to speak, grumbling begins about the way government is run. An easy way to get public input is a referendum. It is a true example of democracy, one person-one vote. Unfortunately, when a board votes against holding a referendum on which a number of people show interest in voicing their opinion, the governmental body gives the impression, however false, that it doesn't care how people feel. While the referendum on a power plant may draw a "Not in My Back Yard" vote, the referendum on future development of heavy manufacturing might have been enlightening for village officials. For years, Plover considered itself a suburban "bedroom" community for peaceful living. Then it developed an industrial park and began annexing some industrially developed areas. With the development, conflicts between business and residents have arisen, bringing scores of complaints to the Village Board during public meetings. Ironically, the power plant development could create one of those conflicts, since it is adjacent to some of the most valuable property in the village, waterfront lots along the Wisconsin River. – Gene Kemmeter