Emails: Got Transparency?

As transparency of action and words in Seguin's council seems likely to be an important issue in this upcoming 2010 election (Oct. 25th), I've added a new tag item: 'Emails'. In this way, dear reader, you may follow my words of correspondence. I would like everyone to know that if you email me, my response (if I do respond) will be contained in this blog. You want transparency? You got it.

Below is the email which has inspired me to tag my emails....

Thanks, for the additional, [John McCash, President of the Three Lakes Ratepayers Association].

I only post my own words for public consumption unless granted
permission to quote by the correspondent. Any position inferred to
you by my posted reply is nothing more than previously contained in
your letter to Mayor and council. The reason why I blog so
extensively is because I am a True Believer in transparency.
Certainly within the domain of public administration on a municipal
level - there's no state secrets. Divisions and suspicions grow in
the absence of information. Access to information aides understanding
of official action or is a means to check it. As the strength of
science is tested by peer review.

Even such emails between interested parties (as you've sent me
unsolicited) has the aspect of back room dealing which I abhor. Four
years ago I embraced blogging as a tool for transparency - for good or
ill - and know its liberating effect. I urge you to do the same for
the enlightenment of your association members and the benefit of any
interested third party. Blogging is free and as easy as sending an
email. I recommend http://www.blogger.com/home. You can start to go
public, spread your message in less than five minutes - guaranteed.
If you plead transparency in government, isn't the best argument
supported by example?

Back to topic: the Seguin [council] MOU [memorandum of understanding] tactic is troubling in timing and
effect. I suppose - not knowing the minds of council - that they act
in a manner they feel will reward them come election time. That seems
obvious, for such is the nature of most politicians. If their
respective lake association members do not feel as ardently concerned
as your own, council members may not feel sufficiently endangered in
terms of re-election.

What is the position of other Seguin association presidents on this issue?

Curiously,

Bill Pocock