To the editor:

Sometimes, I feel a step removed from our system of government. We can all vote, but how do we know where the candidates really stand? This is why I am glad to see that Alicia Graves has set up a campaign Web log at AliciaGraves.com. I like the idea of hearing directly from a candidate, at the touch of a button from my home computer.

Alicia Graves is committed to bringing more people to the table. City government affects each one of us, and is the level of government where our votes can have the most influence. The city council is far more "organic" than the Congress or even the state Legislature.

Thanks for communicating your thoughts to us, Alicia, and thanks for listening. You will be a great addition to the Bloomington City Council!

-Shanna Staggs, Bloomington