Transparency and accountability, what exactly are they and why do our elected officials follow these ethics? Transparency (for the purpose of ethics) is characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices: to be readily understood and free of pretense or deceit.
Elected officials need to be seen as open, honest and easily approachable by ratepayers, regardless of who they are and any past the elected official has had with an individual or group. Personal thoughts and feelings need to be set aside as an elected official; they are not there for themselves, they are there to represent the ratepayers.
These qualities will help both sides feel that progress has been made, with respect shown by both the elected, and those who elected them. The downside of not being transparent is a lack of trust from ratepayers, resentment towards elected officials and conflict arising with little-to-no solutions available.
Accountability is described as an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions. Elected officials are representatives of the municipalities at all times; in their personal life as well as when doing “town business”. The words and actions of officials reflect on the municipality. Therefore, an elected official should always act more ethically than average citizens.
What is said to a person on the street or in the coffee shop are words of the town; therefore, elected officials should always act and speak politely, calmly and ethically. During a conversation or meeting, any and all words said by the elected officials should be transparent as officials are held accountable for all their words and actions displayed.
The elected official’s reputation is important, but can be jeopardized when a lack of transparency and accountability is displayed. Ratepayers may lose faith in the officials to make good responsible decisions for the municipality if this occurs. Situations such as arguing with a ratepayer, or appearing “better than everyone” will make the official seem to lack these necessary traits of transparency and accountability.
By Gary Horseman (Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)
garyfourtownjournal@gmail.com