Transparency in Government -Chris Howe

Elected representatives have a responsibility to keep the people they serve informed, engaged, and, when needed, educated about the policies, purchases, agreements, and decisions that affect their daily lives. Government should operate in the open. Non-disclosure agreements should not be used to hide public business from the public. Confidentiality should be considered only in narrow and legitimate circumstances, such as matters involving national security, active legal concerns, or sensitive personnel issues.

If elected, I will hold “chalkboard sessions” before or after regularly scheduled council meetings. These sessions will be informal public briefings where residents can review agenda items, understand meeting minutes, ask questions, and discuss decisions in plain language. I will listen openly to the people I represent, and when I do not know an answer, I will take responsibility for finding it and sharing it with the public.

Open discussion and honest debate are cornerstones of this great representative republic. Transparency builds accountability, accountability builds trust, and trust is essential to a government that truly serves the people.