Soap Box: Openness in government critical to maintaining trust, confidence

by Larry Schuster

May 1,2009

Larry Schuster is a former city councilman and political observer.

If the current economic malaise and the new administration in Washington have done anything positive for the country that each of us can agree upon, it most certainly is that politics and policies of all manner now occupy top-of-the-mind awareness.

Regardless of political stripe, the greater the number of citizens actively engaged in the discussions of government, the better it is for the United States of America as well as any other country. Holding this premise as true, one may be quite chagrinned at the attitudes of government here in Columbia as of late.

First, let us remind ourselves of the fundamental purpose of government. In the simplest of terms, the role of government is to supervise the affairs of its citizens. As such, those who enjoy government employment and service must understand the privilege, duty and responsibility to serve their constituency. Government’s function is not to excise taxes from citizens for grand projects, perform as parental figures or conduct its activities in a manner as to grant favor to certain individuals over others. Double standards undermine the confidence of citizens in the government we all need.

So when we plebes have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the internal workings of the State Historical Society of Missouri’s relocation efforts and the machinations of the Special Business District, one easily wonders whose side government is actually on.

When the executive director of the Special Business District clearly disregards official guidelines, shuns widespread participation by constituents in controversial matters and generally works both ends for the middle, discontent is certain to follow.

Similarly, the behind-the-scenes shenanigans in the State Historical Society’s case bode poorly for the successful relocation of an important community asset.

In the early 1990s, the development and buffer acquisition of the MKT Trail were community priorities. As a community, we did not hold the threat of eminent domain acquisition over the head of adjacent land owners.

We purchased each and every parcel fair and square. Granted, some folks were less than thrilled. Still, as a community we took the time to peaceably work things out. Bureaucrats and public officials see eminent domain and land clearance for redevelopment authority as a means to an end. However, each is a violent process and should only be relied upon in extreme circumstances.

If financially feasible, every public council, board and commission meeting should be broadcast live. Members of such public bodies conduct themselves in the sunlight much differently than behind closed doors or in the absence of an audience. Although impractical, openness of this thorough nature more substantially serves the public interest. Most folks are not of a deviant nature, although there is an occasional bad apple that sunlight promptly identifies.

As members of public bodies, it is often easy to become passionately attached to the projects we commit ourselves to. Forthright, open discussion and consideration serve a community well and protect against innocent zealousness.

In Columbia and Boone County, several hundred individuals serve on public councils, boards and commissions. Their time commitments and efforts are of immense value. We cannot function properly without their contribution. However, we are still servants, and our duty is to supervise the activities of the community, not to dictate them.

Orchestration and behind-the-scenes manipulation erode public confidence and are easily sensed by the public. Let’s advocate openness and not cause perceptions that seed cynicism and mistrust.