When it comes to complaints about politicians at any level of government, taxpayers select refrains from the same song sheet. The saying "you can't fight City Hall" is a cliché precisely because it rings true for frustrated local citizens who desire to change how governments work.

Don't give up. Citizens can and should work together this autumn to implement one proven method of successful citizen involvement: citizen initiated referendums (CIRs).

How does this work For one example, British Columbians need only look over the Rockies. In Alberta, municipal taxpayers are able to initiate a referendum on a local matter they (and others) care about. If someone in Calgary thinks her concerns are being ignored by City Hall, she can sign up 10% of the local voters' list on a petition and force a referendum. Last year, many local citizens did just that and then voted on whether or not to keep Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in their communities. (The result: most kept them.)

Closer to home, the southeastern B.C. mountain community of Rossland gave citizens the right to initiate referendums nine years ago. Since then, Rossland's residents have voted on several issues, some council-inspired, some citizen-inspired. Once, voters were asked whether their property taxes should be hiked in order to set aside money for a new water filtration system. The results of that vote would be a surprise only to those who thinks voters don't care about their own health as deeply as do politicians or bureaucrats. Despite already high property taxes, Rossland's voters approved the tax hike.

Citizen-initiated referendums are the ultimate tool for citizen participation. Politicians are still free to pass laws as before, but citizens are able to pull an important lever of accountability when they choose, not just when politicians feel like giving voters a direct say via a council-inspired referendum.

CIRs benefit politicians as well. In private, politicians often complain voters don't take the time to understand important issues. Giving voters the right to initiate a referendum is an important way to both promote understanding and ensure that Council's decisions never stray too far from the actual desires of voters.

In addition, while voters in cities without a referendum mechanism can (reactively) "throw the rascals out" at election time if they don't like City Hall's politics, citizen-initiated petitions and referendums are instead positive and pro-active, which is precisely why politicians should embrace them.

To help citizens implement CIR in their community, a new study by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation "Opening Up The Town Square," is available by clicking here or from the BC office at 1-800-699-2282. It contains advice from constitutional lawyer Mel Smith (yes, local referendums are legal), an endorsement from former B.C. Liberal leader Gordon Gibson, words for politicians from Rossland Mayor W.E. Profili, a draft bylaw, and explanations on how to get this passed in your community. (Think "local election issue.")

Here is how Mayor Profili described the change in Rossland since citizen initiate referendums were made part of the local fabric: "There has been a change in the political climate. That change evolved over time as both council and citizens adjusted to the bylaw's philosophy, which holds that council and citizens need each other, depend on each other, and therefore ought to respect and accept each other."

Yes Virginia, politicians and voters can work together.