Today's Tidbit on Transparency and Some Other Things

First, thanks to all of you who have let me know you like the idea behind this blog. I have received a bunch of e-mails and messages in various forms. Hopefully I will find the time to keep it up. Please feel free to leave your comments on any blog.

If there is anything you would like to see addressed let me know.

What can you expect?

My goal is to get down to a schedule of two to three times per week. You may see posts more often, but I think that would be the most doable approach.

I have added a couple of "follow links" to the post page, so if you want to know when something is posted, this will make it easier.

I will do my best to keep things fair. I do intend however to offer my opinion on issues which post. Whether you are in agreement or not, the goal is to get the issues out there, offer information, an opinion, and hopefully have people dig deeper and get involved (even people who disagree with me).

Today's Tidbit

While I am talking about trying to keep things fair, I think it is worth noting that the concept of "fair government" is probably going to be a big catch phrase in the upcoming election, along with the term "lack of transparency". My full two cents worth will be provided in other posts, as I am sure this one will end up being a bit too long as it is.

In general, we should all strive to insure a fair government and transparency. The transparency issue is probably the easier one to deal with right now. Resources today make it possible to get information out to the public in multiple formats, allowing the ability to delve through documents at their convenience.

Fairhaven certainly can and should do a better job of utilizing the Internet and its web site for this purpose. There appear to be steps being taken to do so, and hopefully this will be successful. If not, someone does indeed need to explain why.

Posted notice of meetings, in addition to actually posting them on the Town Hall bulletin board, should be added to the web site. Under the fairly new open meeting law, such notices are to include those matters up for discussion at the meeting. This would give people notice of what will or may be discussed.

Some people are asking for a "hard" copy to be placed elsewhere. Can this be done, certainly it can. Does it need to be done? You would have to explain to me just why Internet notice and positing at Town Hall would not be enough. Convenience for the public is the only thing that readily comes to mind. The question to that is just how "convenient" do we need to make it? 

Executive sessions always place the specter of "lack of transparency" over any matter. The open meeting law specifies the matters and procedures under which an executive section can be used. There are certainly instances where it is appropriate. Perhaps a better explanation before each session is called as to the reasons why an executive session will be held would help. Yet ultimately, it is the public responsibility to curb an abuse of this process.

If you want some information on the requirements and procedures of the open meeting law, here is a link to a guide issued by the Mass. Attorney General for you:

http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/government/oml-guide-032411.pdf

Ultimately transparency is a matter of perception. Can a better job be done? I actually do think so. Is there an intentional, covert operation going on to keep public information away from the public? I am not aware of one. 

Because you ask for everything unfortunately does not mean you are going to get it, nor does it mean you are entitled to it. By law, certain information is restricted, period. You are not entitled to it, and unless the law changes, you won't get it. 

Certain information which normally would be subject to disclosure may nonetheless be withheld for some very valid reasons if certain conditions exist (see the exceptions in the guide).

You always need to keep in mind that a request is not always going to be responded to instantaneously. There are legitimate reasons why you may have to wait to get what you want. 

Believe it or not, sometimes what people are seeking isn't what they are asking for. When they get what they asked for, and it isn't what they actually want, they claim you are trying to hide something. I have heard too many times someone complain "You should have know what I wanted!" or "You knew what I meant!" 

One good thing going on in Town to help with the transparency issue is the expansion of the broadcast of meetings of boards and committees. Some of you may have noticed that Channel 18 was offline for some time in August and there have been periodic interruptions in broadcast since then. The same stems from an ongoing process to wire up rooms, and gear up for expanded broadcasting, in Town Hall to provide for easier taping access for meetings and airing. The government channel has been under utilized in the past.  Hopefully this is a first step in meeting its potential.

This will be a great way for people to stay on top of how issues are being addressed. You still have to actually watch them however.

For some, whatever efforts are made will never be enough; and, for others what is being done all ready is enough. As noted, it all becomes a matter of perception.

Fair government will have to wait for another post.