Political credibility is probably the single most important variable defining the success or failure of any given local government.
Our local government's credibility is a tangible and measurable asset.
Local governments are credible if they are able to deliver services such as keeping the city clean and public utilities working efficiently.
Local government is increasingly responsible for raising own source revenues. As such, if a local government is to be financially viable it must confront its constituency with the cost of providing services.
In the current measure the constituents "do not trust" our local government.
Discretionary power does not refer to the right to make decisions but rather deriving personal gain from choices made.
Accountability is the underlying element with which corruption can be addressed. As long as there is personal gain overshadowing the accountability there will always be an opportunity for corruption in local government.
The formula for failure of local government:
Corruption = Power + Discretion - Accountability
The challenge is where common sense political leaders and administrators are motivated to serve the public without private gain.
And their own personal agendas.
Furthermore, it is necessary to fully capture the manner in which our local government interacts with its constituents.
What we need to do is:
* Making public information public
* Increasing public participation and
* Establishing administrative structures that promotes transparency and reduce discretionary power as well as the "propensity" to be corrupt
* Allowing bad local government to fail
* Accountability, credibility and integrity should always be in local government
Our elected mayor and local council members should have a stake in our community. At its most basic level our local government is required to simply collect revenue and apply local ordinances.
Citizens deserve accountability.
Our current Administration has failed to establish a working relationship with its citizens.
Mayor England had the choice to:
* Increase the publics confidence level in our local governmental operations
* Increase department head accountability for financial reporting and all information disclosed to the public
* Develop a stronger, more independent audit system
* Stringent purchasing policies, tighten spending, and timely reporting is necessary to adhere to budgetary constraints under which local government operates
* Looking out for the best interest of all the citizens of New Albany
And Mayor England has failed miserably!
Accountability is the essence of our democratic form of local government.
It is the liability assumed by all those who exercise authority to account for the manner in which they have filled responsibilities entrusted to them.
They must be accountable to the people.
Freedom Of Speech would like to know who will bring Accountability, Credibility and Integrity back to the City of New Albany?
So we say to you, Douglas B. England, your the worse Mayor the City of New Albany has ever had. Leave the keys with security on the first floor and don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
Good riddance!
