Sore loser? How would you sound if we could go in time and not have the new area, jets, TNS, IGF, Bombers etc? Thrilled?
Its fair commentary to be critical of the decision to hold a referendum. As I noted, I said whichever side you're on. If a referendum was more likely to generate an outcome I personally supported, I'd be happy AND still point out how stupid it is. Every election now, someone running for mayor or someone on council will pick some issue and say "why not add it to the ballot".
When it comes to politicians making bad decisions, you know how you stop it? You vote for someone else. If the point is that the politicians in favour of Olympic spending would win again anyway, what does that tell you? If referendum's generate more public interest, then lets get rid of the mayor altogether and just hold an annual referendum on everything. Easy peasy.