Whatever is going on behind closed doors the public
appears destined not to ever know what City Government is doing on our behalf…..How
are responsible citizens expected to hold our City Government accountable for
their actions when we can’t even find out what they are doing or have done?
Perhaps that is the end objective…..Keep the
citizens in the dark and they will continue to elect those responsible for
taking care of us……based solely on the fact (Not all, but a great
number of us react this way)…..That they are members of The
Church and we can entrust our City/Honesty/Integrity to them…..Especially those
that hold a position of trust…..And are themselves in a position to ask that
very important question of others…..Are you honest in ALL of your
dealings……When they themselves…..Repeatedly vote to Bar the Door and keep the
Public Out by having an inordinate number of Closed Session Meetings…..And in
effect avoid answering to the public? (Do
their words match their Deeds?)
This begs the question…..Do City Council Members
have to rubber stamp every request for a Closed Session?……Or are they at
liberty to vote for Transparency? Have we as American Citizens become so
complacent that we…..Without question go along with this Form of Representation?
Have we not
been admonished not to do business with individuals solely on basis of Church
membership…..Should we not apply sound business principles in determining the
degree of trust we place in those elected to public service. Are they keeping their word on transparency
when they operate in secrecy?
HOW many of you know the results of the lawsuit
filed against the City by a construction company building the New Airport? Our former mayor claimed that the lawsuit was
unfounded and that taxpayers would not be paying any money to the construction
company based on this lawsuit. How was this lawsuit settled? Did the
construction company received $100,000 or more in the form of a payment
settlement? If so where did the money come from and who approved settlement? (By
their fruits they shall be known).
If the public is to be denied presence during the
discussion/notification of a litigation issue…..Is it not right to notify the
public of the Disposition of a lawsuit so that those elected can be held
accountable……Admonished or Given Credit for a job well done?
A class action lawsuit filed against the City
remains in the hands of the court. Are we to be denied hearing the disposition
of this lawsuit as well? Is it not time to lift the veil of secrecy by putting
transparency into practice?
I believe all members of present City Council have
publicly supported and committed to Transparency……Yet not one has ever opposed
a motion for a closed session nor has one stood before the public and reported
on the final settlement of a lawsuit. To
be enlightened by the spirit of the truth would be a most welcome
experience…..Would it not? Especially if it was to come from a City Council
that led the public to believe it supported transparency. Sadly it appears….. Those elected to lead
appear resigned to act as rubber stamp….. To continue the practice of secrecy as
called upon by the City Manager to do.
What do they have to hide? Is it not right that he public at least be
informed of the disposition of such matters?
If this not be so……Where is the transparency
promised…..Where is the Ordinance/Code Enforcement Reform? Where are the Citizen Boards and Commissions
promised? Are promises made to voters
not to be kept?
It is time to reign in and reform the autocratic
form of City Government we are currently experiencing. Operating in Darkness
and Secrecy/Closed Door Session…..Is not conducive to maintaining a free
society.
Thank you,
Ed Baca
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