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POLICY MADE IN SECRET IS BAD POLICY
TRUE PUBLIC HEARINGS NEEDED ON STREETS PROPOSAL
NEW ALBANY, Ind. – An unwillingness to contemplate ideas that come from outside the small circle of elected and appointed officials contributes to increased voter cynicism and diminishing voter turnout in New Albany.
That’s the conclusion of an analysis of public policy and elections conducted by Greater New Albany.
It’s true that each politician brings strengths and weaknesses and a varying willingness to consider new ideas, the biggest problem is the institutional unwillingness to expand the universe of participants in policy discussions.
The current administration is the most insular and isolated in generations, with the mayor absenting himself from practically every public discussion of policy. A prime example is this mayor’s remarkable absence from city council deliberations in public forums.
That is not to say that this mayor does not engage with the council. But he most assuredly does not do so in public. His preferred method of communication is by telephone with individual council members. We are not so naïve as to call this unprecedented. But coupled with the mayor’s notable lack of visibility in any forum where he can be questioned, it’s destructive of good policy-making and government administration.
In addition, it is the practice of this administration to avoid public discussion of important policy questions, as evidenced by the alienating “public meetings” conducted with regard to the $8 million New Albany public pool. Citizens were not allowed to present ideas and ask questions in the open. Instead, they were invited to work their way around the room to discrete topic stations for loosely organized colloquies with “experts” of varying knowledge and ability.
Greater New Albany calls today for a change in this process. The city has now received a Downtown Street Network Proposal encompassing traffic pattern changes from Silver Creek to Falling Run Creek through downtown and extending for significant lengths up the State Street and Vincennes Street corridors.
Our organization recognizes this proposal as the greatest opportunity presented to this city in more than 50 years. It should not be imposed on the citizenry. Nor should it be sabotaged behind closed doors.
According to Business First/Louisville, the mayor has promised public hearings. But during the Jan. 6, 2014 meeting of the Board of Public Works & Safety, only public meetings were promised. Greater New Albany urges this mayor to conduct numerous and highly accessible town-hall-like public meetings where the issues and ramifications of the proposal can be exposed to public view and debated. Whether this administration is in favor of all or just part of the Speck proposal, all voices should be heard and all questions should be answered in a public forum.
We have waited. Now is the time for maximum communication between the city and its citizens and stakeholders.
Greater New Albany is currently evaluating potential candidates in the 2015 New Albany city elections and intends to work for the election of those whose positions align with Greater New Albany’s objectives.
CONTACT: randysmith(at)outlook(dot)com
