This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/cc/ for current information.
Contra Costa County, CA June 7, 2011 Election
Smart Voter

How do we achieve an Open and Transparent Government

By William W. "Bill" Wilkins

Candidate for Council Member to succeed (replace) JoAnne Ward if recalled; City of Hercules

This information is provided by the candidate
When all actions in the past have taken place in Closed Session, or on a Consent Calendar, without discussion, how do we know what has happened?
The fact that important items were discussed and decisions made in Closed Session that do not qualify under the Brown Act makes them illegal. That will stop with a change in the Council. Items were placed on the Closed Session Calendar as possible litigation and that was wrong and possibly designed to cover the mismanagement of the City. The Consent Calendar at every Council meeting should be accompanied by a Staff Report, available to the community which states all the relevant facts, including any recommendations from Hearings and Subcommittee meetings. All Council actions, including Subcommittee meetings should in the very least be recorded and if possible written notes made available to the citizens in a timely manner. We need to know how decisions are made, and Council Members not in attendance at Subcommittee Meetings need to have the information available in order to make informed decisions. Council members have stated that they did not know what was going on and were kept in the dark. That will not happen when government is open and transparent.

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
June 2011 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


ca/cc Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 9, 2011 21:45
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.