| Cross-posted from ShapTalk.com:
Public confidence in our elected officials continues to crater and apathy has become a fact of life in New Jersey politics. Corruption by many of our representatives is no longer a question of "if" but "when." Negative political campaigns are now the norm, further contributing to the cesspool that is New Jersey politics. While we can be all "doom and gloom" and spend our time complaining, the truth is that we can do something to rectify the situation. There is a remedy to our problems with politics in New Jersey: sunshine. That's right, some good old all-natural sunshine. Here are a few simple ideas that we, as citizens, can facilitate to create more open, transparent and accountable government. |
| All governmental meetings open to the public (Township Council, Board of Education, Planning Board, Zoning Board, etc.) should be televised. A live feed, which would enable residents to watch their government in action from the comfort of their homes in real time, can cost as little as a one-time expenditure of approximately $50,000, with many cable companies offering grants to cover the total bill. If this is too costly an option at the present time, a resident can videotape the meetings and have them air on the local public access channel, at no cost at all. Televising meetings enables not only senior citizens but all residents -- those working late into the night, parents, and the disabled -- to stay informed and involved in the political process. Televised meetings also keep our elected officials on their best behavior.
Minutes and an agenda of all public government meetings should be available on the government's website and/or at the public meetings, with enough copies for the residents who attend. Draft minutes should also be posted on the government's website and available to the public so that residents who attended the meeting can offer revisions and so that elected officials cannot alter the draft minutes for their own political purposes. The agenda should include not only the cost of a proposed allocation but some detail regarding what is being purchased and how the costs are being dispersed. Precise minutes or transcriptions of executive sessions of the government (where the public is barred from attending) should be taken so that a clear record exists of what has transpired behind closed doors. If minutes and agendas are available to the public, our residents can participate in governmental decision-making and have the background information necessary to hold our officials accountable.
A list of all governmental committees and their members should be publicly available on the government's website and at the Clerk's Office. When a committee vacancy arises, it should be filled through a competitive, merit-based process that is publicized to the entire community. Such a process would enable the most qualified residents to volunteer for their government, without regard to party affiliation or campaign contributions.
These ideas are not new. In fact, they have been implemented in a number of towns throughout New Jersey. However, most municipalities still do not provide these basic elements of responsible government to their residents. It is in these towns that citizens can join together and call for the enactment of these "sunshine" reforms. Cramming public meetings with concerned residents, starting petition drives, "letters to the editor" campaigns, and creating a local blog are all effective ways to get the attention of elected officials and "convince" them to enact these important reforms. A little sunshine goes a long way. The more sunshine, the better. |
