Millville Transparency: Part II


The definition of transparency is the quality or state of being free from deceit, the ability to be easily understood, and increased accessibility of information especially concerning business practices. This is what Team Santiago promised the citizens of Millville. They have not kept their promises.

Team Santiago has quickly and methodically changed the open to the public philosophy of the previous four years. Behind closed doors is the new rule. The actions of Team Santiago are going underground. Nothing is in plain view.

So exactly what has changed?

         -    Work sessions are no longer recorded for the public to see. Previously they were live on                      YouTube                

-      Minutes are posted a month behind.  Previously they were posted after they were approved at the next meeting usually within two weeks

-     The list of the bills to be paid are no longer attached to the agenda as they were previously. The public has to wait a month to see what has been paid when the minutes are finally posted. By then the bills have been voted on to be paid so the public cannot question them

-     Closed sessions were held after the commission meetings late in the evening. After the closed session, Team Santiago voted on whatever was discussed. The passed resolutions are listed by number only; there are no details in the minutes. Again the public did not have an opportunity to comment or even know what the resolution was unless they OPRA it. The previous commission held the closed session between the work session and the meeting. The vote was then during the regular public meeting. This allowed the public to comment on it. The Team Santiago resolutions are already prepared making one wonder if everything is all predetermined and if so is the Sunshine Law violated?

-     Santiago and Parent are meeting alone with redevelopers. The previous commissioners had the initial project presentation at the work session so the public would know what was going on and could comment and all the commissioners would have an opportunity to ask questions of the developers. Only 2 commissioners can meet in private with the developer at a time due to the Sunshine Law. The Team Santiago approach keeps the facts from the public and the other commissioners including Commissioner Udalovas whose department is in charge of economic development.

-     Commission meeting agendas are changed minutes before the meeting. There is a city ordinance 2-6G which states:


                           Except for emergency matters which may be added to the agenda at any time, the agenda for each regular meeting or special meeting of the Board of Commissioners shall include only those matters of business as have been presented or delivered to the City Clerk not later than 24 hours preceding the meeting.
          

           This ordinance was followed by the previous commission. There was an internal policy that all agenda matters had to be given to the clerk the week prior to the meeting so the agenda would be finalized by the Friday before the meeting. This was done so the commissioners would have ample time to prepare for the meeting and the public would know what would be discussed. Now every meeting has several last minute additions, deletions, and changes leaving the public uninformed and unable to be prepared prior to the meeting. It makes you wonder why.


If this is Team Santiago’s idea of transparency maybe they should read the definition again.



Comments

Anonymous said…
Good job! Thanks for all the research. How do we go about fixing the mess?
May 8, 2018 at 11:21 PM
Millville Insider said…
Individuals have to be involved and interested in what their elected officials are doing. The elected officials have to be held accountable and reminded that they are working for the citizens of Millville not a few individuals from out of the town and county. Let those in office know how you feel about what is going on in the city by attending commission meetings, emails, phone calls, etc. Finally people have to vote at election time and research the candidates' platforms, promises, and connections.
May 9, 2018 at 7:23 AM
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