I would like to address the issue of closed door meetings. Lately this has become a hot topic in the town and I think it necessary to discuss it further.
I have a problem with closed door meetings. It leaves people to speculate and wonder what is going on behind those doors. I feel like I am watching the Wizard of Oz and people just tell me to not worry about the man behind the curtain. I feel uneasy about them.
Not all closed door meetings are against the law, but most are. But just because something is legal does not mean it is right.
One thing is for certain: it is not legal for any government body to vote behind closed doors. For me it is not just about the law, but about the principle. Doing things in secrecy just doesn't sit well with me.
The reason this has been such an uproar recently is because the city of Uintah has held three closed door meeting where votes took place. This is a violation of the law. The city has also held closed door meetings that were legal to have (again I wish they would not). For months I have been asking our mayor to please stop having these meetings. I only received one reply back and the response was that they can do them. I asked this before the final vote behind closed doors; still no response. After the vote behind closed doors, a number of citizens requested the attorney general to get involved. They did not want to, but something had to be done to stop these kinds of meetings. The issue would have been over if the Mayor would have simply honored a request to not have these meetings. The county attorney then had to come to a meeting and request that they go back and ratify all votes because of this wrongdoing.
Again the issue with closed doors should have been over, but in the latest newsletter, the mayor wrote a long article telling the citizens that they have never had closed door meetings. I was baffled to why she would write this in the newsletter. I have asked for some clarification on this from the Mayor, but no response. I feel it is important for the citizens of Uintah to know that these types of activities are happening, and that I do not agree with them. I believe in full transparency.
It is not my goal in life to try and find fault with our city officials. I want this city to be a place where everyone is welcome to share their beliefs, and that every citizen be as fully informed as they can. I also believe it is healthy for citizens to question those in power. As mayor I would encourage people to question ANY decision I make. Keeps us in check. Having full transparency is one way to achieve that goal.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Transparency - Accountability - Tradition
I love the city of Uintah. I am grateful to the people who have made this town what it is. I am running because I feel an obligation to the citizens of Uintah.
Below I have listed three fundamental attributes that I believe are critical to Uintah.
Transparency:
• Increase Public Awareness of the City dealings
• Make city action items on the docket available to ALL residents
• No more closed door meetings
• Make city budget available on the website
Citizens will not only be encouraged to come to city council meetings, but they will be given adequate time to represent their views.
The issue of the highway 89 project is a perfect instance of how closed door meetings and behind the scene posturing caused a huge uproar in the town. The city had plans and knowledge of the 89 project, however we found out when it seemed the deal was already complete. At that point it seemed almost futile to fight. Thank goodness we had such a large turnout of dissatisfied residents to stop it for now.
Accountability:
• Be accountable to the people that elected you
• If you are elected, complete and fulfill the term you committed to
• Better chain of command during emergencies
• Own up to your decisions, no more passing the buck
• No false promises
• Explain the decisions you make
• Be responsible with the city (taxpayers) money
This last year (2011) Uintah saw four out of its five elected council members resign. This left the city in a position where people had to be appointed and residents were left with only one elected official. Only under the most extreme circumstances should an elected official resign and relinquish their obligations to the residents of the city.
As a public official you should be able to respond to questions and concerns without trying to hide anything. Another problem I saw during the 89 talks was that no one on the council was willing to give a straight answer. It was either passing the buck or PR answers like; "We'll see what happens" when asked what their opinion was about the project. Own up to your decision.
Tradition:
• Stopping “Urban Creep”
• Continue with small town atmosphere
• Small government
• Encouraging citizens to be self sufficient
• Safety
• Strong community networks
The city of Uintah has a rich history and great traditions. During U-day, I set up a booth and handed out questionnaires to see what the people of this town felt and concerns they had. It was pretty evident that the people of this town love the small town feel that the founders created.
I would like the city to continue with Uintah’s small town traditions. Recently, I have seen Uintah’s city government enter into government projects that would threaten this feel. The "urban creep" needs to stop.
This city has a tradition of safety, and I would like to continue with this, and also improve upon it.
Uintah’s agricultural roots are also being threatened by ambitious politics. Well intentioned policies and ordinances, like the recent nuisance ordinance. Many of these ordinances and policies promise to provide convenience and appeal; however they seem to encroach upon our freedoms when you read the fine print. Depending on who is in charge of enforcing and interpreting this policy, it could mean drastic implications for the city. We need to look at the nuisance ordinance along with others like it and either repeal it or severally tone them down.
We have a tradition of people uniting together. With proper leadership in government, we can harness the energy of this town for a better place to live.
Below I have listed three fundamental attributes that I believe are critical to Uintah.
Transparency:
• Increase Public Awareness of the City dealings
• Make city action items on the docket available to ALL residents
• No more closed door meetings
• Make city budget available on the website
Citizens will not only be encouraged to come to city council meetings, but they will be given adequate time to represent their views.
The issue of the highway 89 project is a perfect instance of how closed door meetings and behind the scene posturing caused a huge uproar in the town. The city had plans and knowledge of the 89 project, however we found out when it seemed the deal was already complete. At that point it seemed almost futile to fight. Thank goodness we had such a large turnout of dissatisfied residents to stop it for now.
Accountability:
• Be accountable to the people that elected you
• If you are elected, complete and fulfill the term you committed to
• Better chain of command during emergencies
• Own up to your decisions, no more passing the buck
• No false promises
• Explain the decisions you make
• Be responsible with the city (taxpayers) money
This last year (2011) Uintah saw four out of its five elected council members resign. This left the city in a position where people had to be appointed and residents were left with only one elected official. Only under the most extreme circumstances should an elected official resign and relinquish their obligations to the residents of the city.
As a public official you should be able to respond to questions and concerns without trying to hide anything. Another problem I saw during the 89 talks was that no one on the council was willing to give a straight answer. It was either passing the buck or PR answers like; "We'll see what happens" when asked what their opinion was about the project. Own up to your decision.
Tradition:
• Stopping “Urban Creep”
• Continue with small town atmosphere
• Small government
• Encouraging citizens to be self sufficient
• Safety
• Strong community networks
The city of Uintah has a rich history and great traditions. During U-day, I set up a booth and handed out questionnaires to see what the people of this town felt and concerns they had. It was pretty evident that the people of this town love the small town feel that the founders created.
I would like the city to continue with Uintah’s small town traditions. Recently, I have seen Uintah’s city government enter into government projects that would threaten this feel. The "urban creep" needs to stop.
This city has a tradition of safety, and I would like to continue with this, and also improve upon it.
Uintah’s agricultural roots are also being threatened by ambitious politics. Well intentioned policies and ordinances, like the recent nuisance ordinance. Many of these ordinances and policies promise to provide convenience and appeal; however they seem to encroach upon our freedoms when you read the fine print. Depending on who is in charge of enforcing and interpreting this policy, it could mean drastic implications for the city. We need to look at the nuisance ordinance along with others like it and either repeal it or severally tone them down.
We have a tradition of people uniting together. With proper leadership in government, we can harness the energy of this town for a better place to live.
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