Lewiston SMART’s “Strong Mayor” Ballot Initiative Collects Enough Valid Signatures to Make it on the Nov 2nd Ballot

***** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *****

(March 26, 2021)

Lewiston SMART’s “Strong Mayor” Ballot Initiative Collects Enough Valid

Signatures to Make it on the Nov 2nd Ballot

Just one month after a local group of concerned Lewiston residents formed Lewiston SMART, a political

action committee with the goal of returning government to the people, their petition has collected the

necessary valid signatures to place the Lewiston “Strong Mayor” Initiative on the November 2 nd Ballot.

Lewiston SMART’s “Strong Mayor” petition drive started less than a month ago and quickly gained over 50

volunteers who began collecting signatures. Yesterday, the Nez Perce County Clerk, Patty Weeks, informed

Lewiston SMART that her office has validated the necessary number of signatures to certify the initiative

for the November 2 nd Ballot. The initiative will be named “Proposition One” on November’s ballot.

Lewiston SMART believes that Lewiston’s current format of Council-Manager city government is failing to

serve its citizens. The Lewiston City Manager operates with little accountability to the voters. Lewiston

SMART’s “Strong Mayor” Ballot Initiative, Proposition One, will give the voters the opportunity to continue

the current dysfunctional Council-Manager Plan or change Lewiston’s form of government to an ELECTED

Mayor who manages the city and is accountable directly to the voters. Virtually every other city in Idaho

has a “Strong Mayor” form of government.

Lewiston SMART believes Lewiston voters deserve the opportunity to choose Lewiston’s form of

government and will continue to circulate petitions until the April 30 th deadline. We hope to accumulate

over 3000 signatures to demonstrate that Lewiston residents want change.

Lewiston SMART plans a “Strong Mayor/Proposition One” campaign kickoff at 4pm Friday April 30 th on the

front step of Lewiston City Hall. Lt Gov Janice McGeachin will keynote this event that will start with a WWII

Warbird fly-over! Please plan to attend this event and help us change Lewiston for the better!

Lewiston SMART will also be conducting numerous educational events for the public to gain additional

information about how a “Strong Mayor” government will benefit the community as well as how to

participate in the campaign and just say “No!” -

Proposition One: Shall the City of Lewiston retain its organization under the “council-manager plan”?

Vote: “ No” and Lewiston will change to an ELECTED Strong Mayor form of government!

“No (more…unaccountable City Manager!)”

“No (more…emergency powers given to an UNELECTED City Manager!)”

“No (more…hidden illegal transfers of money from city utilities to other projects!)”

“No (more…barriers between elected officials and city staff!)”

For additional information, please feel free to contact Joseph Gish or Maureen Anderson @

Volunteers@LewistonSMART.org

Lewiston

S – Strong

M – Mayor

A – Accountable to the Voters!

R – Responsive to the People!

T – Tax Payers have a VOICE!