COMMENTARY An Indictment of the Current City Council: 'it was clear that this had been hatched.' 'I do not think we have a transparent and open government that communicates with people.'

In an article entitled “Hardy, Theis seek reelection; Baron to challenge,” The Carmel Pine Cone, May 25, 2018, the article states, in part, as follows:

Regarding the remodel and expansion proposed for the 60-year-old police station, for instance, “We’re not thinking big enough,” he (Jeff Baron) said.

“I’m afraid that we’re putting a band-aid on something where we just need to start over,” he said. “I would want to understand what our options are.”

The Carmel P.D. project also raises concerns about transparency, according to Baron. At a recent budget discussion, the council increased the project by $400,000, to $1.9 million, but the idea wasn’t raised until after the public-comment period had closed — “which means they don’t want public comment on the $400,000.”

“When I was sitting there in the audience and that was happening, it was clear that this had been hatched,” he said. “I do not think we have a transparent and open government that communicates with people.”

Resident and city council candidate Jeff Baron’s comment “that this had been hatched” and the increased expenditure of $400,000 wasn’t broached until after public comment “means they don’t want public comment on the $400,000” is insightful. Not only is this anecdotal evidence that the current city government is operating in a manner antithetical to open and transparent city government, but the current city council appears to evince a contempt and disdain for the public at large generally and public input into the governmental process specifically.

L. A. Paterson

REFERENCE:
Hardy, Theis seek reelection; Baron to challenge Three candidates step up well in advance of November council race, By MARY SCHLEY, The Carmel Pine Cone, May 25, 2018. 1A & 18A &19A