Inclusive, Open Government Policy
It is my conviction that government works best when it fosters openness, transparency, and inclusiveness, and when it offers the opportunity to all the people of Elmira to contribute their ideas, comments, voices to the democratic process. We should strive to eliminate secrecy. I propose, for example, that the mayor and each district council representative hold regular meetings together with the people of the representatives’ districts to gauge the pulse of the communities, to learn of their needs, concerns, and wishes, and to inform them of the matters of city government that affect them directly.
Likewise, from my observation, the City could do a better job of keeping its website up-to-date and informing the public in a more timely manner of meetings, agendas, etc. Important documents of the City, like the City Charter, should also be easily accessible.
Secrecy seems to be the modus operandi of government in Elmira. It is extremely difficult to get access to the details of propositions considered by the council, for example. In addition, decisions are often made behind closed doors. Take the example of the sale of the Maxwell Place Fire Station (See Historic Preservation).
Likewise, from my observation, the City could do a better job of keeping its website up-to-date and informing the public in a more timely manner of meetings, agendas, etc. Important documents of the City, like the City Charter, should also be easily accessible.
Secrecy seems to be the modus operandi of government in Elmira. It is extremely difficult to get access to the details of propositions considered by the council, for example. In addition, decisions are often made behind closed doors. Take the example of the sale of the Maxwell Place Fire Station (See Historic Preservation).