If we didn't know better, we'd think the purpose is to make the public as informed as possible about what's going on in government.
You might say that a city council meeting is not a newscast. That's true, but it's a communication platform where government officials and the public interact. At the very least, it's a wasted opportunity to promote the good things they're doing.
“Council meetings are the wrong time and wrong place.” Are there other forums that councilors and staff use to communicate with the public? Any? I never have?
Every two weeks, we get to peek through the window at city government. I've been attending conferences for almost 8 years and the windows are pretty dirty. Even worse, fixing the microphone is just a bridge and 90% of what he said on the podium will be lost. In another example, Warren's legal proceedings remain completely secret.
Governments have a moral and legal obligation to transparency. That obligation is expressly set forth in both the Brown Act and the Public Records Act. Although there are legitimate exceptions, the attitude seems to be, “What can be done in secret, will be done in secret.'' The opposite rule is expected.
We do not know how this cycle will be broken, but the lack of transparency breeds corruption and speculation about corruption by those left on the outside.
I don't tend to agree with Addison Winslow on most things, but he has a point.
— Rob Berry, Chico
