Support Open Government Now!
Pacifica prides itself on being an informed and engaged community. However, the entire limited debate over the question of police out-sourcing to the Sheriff has been anything but informed. Almost every key fact has been withheld from the public. How can the public have an honest debate without themselves knowing the facts? No one outside of the 5 people on city council know what is going on. Regardless of one's position on police out-sourcing, no facts on the city website means the public is in the dark.
That lack of public knowledge has to stop. During my 14 years on the Pacifica School Board I have always been willing to have public hearings to get public input. Reaching out to the public during these meetings is also an opportunity to inform the public on the facts. Making reports and documents available ahead of time clearly is required to have an informed debate at the meeting! If I am honored by a vote this November to elect me to city council, a revision of open government rules will be my first agenda item.
I strongly urge that City Council at its next meeting, Monday August 27, vote to place all documents regarding this issue on the city website. Post the Sheriff bid, SSF's bid, the City's consultant analysis and all other communications back and forth among all parties.
Even the City's press release announcing the abandonment of the Sheriff contract is not on the City's website. In 2012, you would think all vital City communications and documents would be on the web!
Posting all documents may not change anyone's mind. But sunshine on government business and transparency is a foundation of American government. It's about time it's also a foundation of Pacifica government.
Mike O'Neill, candidate for City Council
