Just Another Week: Welcome To The Show

With another election cycle behind us, it’s a good time to start anew with the opportunity to be better going forward.

This space has often been used to point out a lack of transparency that we’ve seen from several government officials. Part of my job — and a reason why newspapers are so essential to our society — is to hold government officials accountable. But I hope I don’t have to do so as often in the future.

When I write columns about a lack of openness, I do so with the hope that putting a spotlight on the issue will lead to transparency. I have reason to believe that is exactly what is happening.

Last week I sat down with Trempealeau County Administrator Rebecca Glewen for what I think was a productive meeting. Despite the number of issues being thrown at her and some stories in the newspaper that she almost certainly didn’t like reading, she requested the meeting in hopes of improving communication between the county and the newspaper. Improved communication with the newspaper is a benefit to the public. I am merely a messenger.

I understand that I can come off as a bear and it would’ve been easy for Glewen to dismiss what I write as me being a curmudgeonly newspaperman — and that probably wouldn’t be an inaccurate description. But she wanted to take the time to discuss how we could improve our relationship, which is a win for the public. I don’t want the information for myself, I want it for you and I came away with the impression that she wants an informed public as well. She was once an elected official, who worked her way out of a job by encouraging the Beaver Dam city council to hire an administrator, which eliminated the need for a full-time mayor. 

I can also say I’ve had two of the newly elected officials reach out to me recently. One did so before the election to say they appreciated my willingness to hold government officials accountable. Another did after the election to ask if I was willing to be a resource to help make sure they are abiding by open meeting laws. I care much more about compliance than I do about having juice to write about in the newspaper. 

My advice to all governing bodies is to remember who you’re working for. I understand that attorneys will often advise officials to keep things quiet to avoid any conflict. I would never suggest that governing officials should ignore advice from legal counsel, but I do think it should be pushed at times. Instead of blindly listening to what the attorney says you can’t say, ask what you can. Work to get as much information out to the public as possible. The city of Arcadia did a great job with that when it issued a press release after suspending a police officer. 

The lines of communication are opening up and I hope to be able to get you more information you deserve without having to work so dang hard for it. I also hope to be able to utilize this space for lighter columns that will make you smile. 

We’re making progress. As Thomas Jefferson once said: “A well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.”