Open and transparent government

By Michael A. Mayer

Government works best when it is open to all the residents. Good government has nothing to fear under the light of public knowledge and opinion.

I was proud to first serve as a 6th Ward commissioner in 1996. That year, for the first time in township history, the Democrats gained a majority. It was a time of hard work and effort to encourage a more transparent and responsible government body. The board purchased the last large acreage of open space in the community thus preventing additional suburban sprawl. We televised commissioner meetings for the first time. A new leaf pick-up concept was initiated allowing our leaf trucks to roam the township rather than work on a fixed schedule thus increasing efficiencies and reducing costs. We gave our local government back to our residents.

Appointed by the board as the Safety Commissioner I was responsible for our police and fire departments. New equipment, including a new fire truck, were purchased for our South Media department. I supported the hiring of additional part-time officers and helped work with our fire department on fund raising. After I was no longer commissioner I continued to serve on the Civil Service board interviewing new candidates for our police department.

Government works best when it is open to all the residents. Good government has nothing to fear under the light of public knowledge and opinion. As your commissioner I will fight to maintain good government which is open and transparent to all.