We have problems in this area, and few will argue with that statement. The solutions aren’t so universally accepted. I’ve got my ideas, and others have theirs. Somewhere in the midst of this though, someone has the right solution. Personally, I think it’s me, but I’m modest enough to acknowledge that may well be wrong. But the question is, what can the city and county commissions do to show they’re open to listening?
First, I really believe that transparency is vital. I have made a few previous suggestions about how to increase that. However, it may not be enough. Putting up the agenda out early enough for people to see it well ahead of time, time enough to make their voices heard in regards to the issues, is only one part. It’s a great first step, and one that I don’t think would increase the budget requirements a single cent. However, it needs to be clear when the agendas will be up, so people know when to look.
Another suggestion I have is to move all meetings to evening hours. This would make it easier for the majority of people to make the meetings and to be present for the process in the first place. While the minutes being put online is a great thing, it would help to know much quicker who is actually responsible for which votes. Coupled with the agenda being placed online on a specific time prior to the meetings, this could increase citizen involvement in the process of governing these government (Albany, Dougherty County, Lee County, etc).
Now, one tool that the city of Albany uses that has come up on this blog are the appointed committees. Some feel that these committes, who no one elects, has far to much say in our governing. One example is the sign task force that revamped our sign ordinance. The argument is that the city commission uses these committees as a way to say “it ain’t us.”
Well, I have to side with the city a bit on this one. Many of these authorities serve in an area to handle a specific function that would take up far to much time if the city commission actually had to deal with it each meeting. This is not a bad thing necessarily. However, it’s vital that we as taxpayers hold our commissioners accountable for whatever these committees do. They should never be permitted to take out loans or write law all on their own. Anything like that needs to go through the commission, just for accountability’s sake. I need to know how my commissioner’s feel about things.
That said, the voters, even today with the rules we have in place right now, should be holding our commissioner’s feet to the fire for any decision that gets made by the local government. Right now, they may be able to play off their votes in favor of the work of an appointed committee as “it wasn’t me”. But they shouldn’t be able to. Ever. That’s something that we voters need to do, and future candidates as well. Make it an issue during the campaigns for city government coming up. Hold people accountable and make them do right.
It’s the little things that’ll get the ball rolling.
