WANTED
WORTHY
CITIZENS
CONTACT:
SG
CITY RECORDER, Christina Fernandez
JUNE
1ST THRU
JUNE
8TH FILING
DATES FOR CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
CITY HALL 175 East 200 North, St. George, Utah
– PHONE 627-4000
May
28th City Council Meeting was Highlighted with a discussion on
the 2015 – 2016 fiscal budget. This was to conclude presentations by each
Department Head in which a Public Presentation of the goals and objectives of
their respective department are made…..In effect justification of expenditures
in this budget year. I must say that each and every department did an admirable
job of doing so…..Save the City Attorney’s Office which had been saved for
last. I can honestly tell you that in
all the years of monitoring and reporting on County and Municipal Government
…..I have almost always walked away from meetings impressed with the job
performance of Department Heads….Especially given budget constraints and
limitations.
Folks,
in my many years of public service I have had the opportunity to observe and
work with numerous government agencies…..And I can categorically state that SG
City Employees stand at the top of the job performance list…..Including and not
to be overlooked is our City Attorney, Shawn Guzman. In my professional career
I have worked with and interacted with countless lawyers…..And none have I
found more deserving of admiration and respect than Mr. Guzman…..Whom I believe
(For a long period of time) has and is now working with limited
resources…..Especially when considering the rapid and at times uncontrolled
growth rate of the city. I have come to recognize Mr. Guzman as…..A really good
man and an excellent City Attorney.As I mentioned the Legal Services Department was to be heard last in discussing budget needs this night. When it came time for Mr. Guzman to make his Public Presentation I could not help but to take note of his facial expression in which I detected a genuine concern for what he was about to say. Mr. Guzman stated…..I find it necessary to request a “Closed Session” to present the Legal Services Department Budget. Litigation Issues exist, that have an impact on what may be said concerning Legal Services budget needs. In recognition of what I considered an unusual declaration by Mr. Guzman…..The mayor called for a motion to move to a Closed Session and the Council immediately and without discussion voted to close the public meeting and shut the door of transparency.
Folks,
as we approach the filing period for those who may wish to throw their hat in
the ring and run for City Council I feel it is important to considered how easy
and routine it has become for our elected officials to vote for a Closed
Session…..The ever increasing number of Litigation Issues confronting the city…..That
may or may not reflect on the performance of Elected Officials…..Action in
which the Public is systematically excluded from knowing what is taking place
is troubling. It’s kind of what is going
on in our national politics. We elect U.S. Senators and Members of Congress who
promise to carry out the public’s wishes and when they get to Washington they
conveniently turn their backs to the public.
At the local level City Council candidates promise Transparency and when
they get in office they tend to forget about transparency and systematically
and without discussion routinely vote for a “Closed Session”…..Even, when it
involves fiscal budget discussion.
I
know, there is, a time and a place for everything…..Just like when it’s
appropriate to have a Council Person declare a conflict of interest. Having declared a conflict of interest the
Council Person may still take part in the discussion and even vote on the
issue……But it sure is nice and informative for the public to know, what is
taking place…..Absent the appearance that those in authority may be hiding what
they are doing. It makes it possible to evaluate job performance does it not? I
have to take my hat off to Councilman Hughes, who when representing the city
before the County Commission Hearing…..Held to discussing curbside recycling,
allegedly declared a conflict of interest when it came time for him to give
input that ultimately helped to decide who was to be given the contract to pick
up the trash. Reportedly the Councilman’s brother got the contract but isn’t it
nice to know Jimmy was straight forward about it?
At
this meeting Mayor Pike reported “I don’t know what is going to happen
concerning City Curbside Recycling”. The cost may be $3.82. The, opt out plan
which is what we will do. We need to know what we are doing….take extra steps
or what? Administrative costs….50 cents?
The Curbside Recycling will probably not be acted on till possibly
September. Folks, this will be right in the middle of elections for City
Council Seats…..3 of them. Wouldn’t it
be nice to know that transparency is alive and well when SG City Council votes
on who is to be awarded curbside recycling contract? As a point of interest the Municipal Primary
Election is to take place August 11th and the General Election will
be on November 3rd.
FOLKS,
I wish to thank the Senior Sampler and Pete and Barbara Leadenham for the
kindness extended to me in allowing uncensored freedom of expression as I
endeavor to inform and educate the public on what I see taking place in City
Government. The Senior Samplers undying support for Freedom of the Press and
Freedom of Speech guaranteed under the First Amendment was unwavering. Even
during trying times when threats were made that spelled out the financial ruin
of the Senior Sampler…..Pete Leadenham refused to surrender citing the importance
of protecting and preserving the Constitution of the United States. Pete chose
not to publicly identify the source of the threats and instead offered to print
counter points of view. Invitations fell on deaf ears and attempts to force a
cessation of Freedom of the Press did not prevail.
Friends,
as this election cycle approaches…..Mr. Leadenham and I believe it is now time
to voluntarily bring to an end our humble approach to having an informed
electorate. Pete had it right when he
explained that it was not enough to elect individuals with shared principles
but that we should be vigilant of STANDARDS kept while in office.
Conflict
of Interest cannot and should not be ignored by those elected to public office
or those who may seek to hold public office. I have chosen to make public,
instances where the perception of wrong doing is as damning as the act itself.
Therefore, as I may join other candidates, seeking public office…..I feel
obligated NOT to write articles while candidates are actively campaigning. To
do so would give the perception of a potential Conflict of Interest on my part.
More importantly it would not be fair to my fellow citizens. We of course know
that incumbents have a distinct advantage that is derived from the power and
authority of the office they hold. How incumbents go about influencing others
for support is a decision to be made by incumbents. Their actions will be
judged by the voters. At the conclusion of the election process I will be free
to comment on the performance of those elected. Candidly I hope to see new
faces sitting on the City Council. I believe there are many gifted and qualified
individuals capable of making significant contributions to SG City.
Pete
and Barbara a profound thank you for the example of courage you have given me.
May the Lord bless and keep you safe.
ED BACA
