Public access to local government is a cornerstone of democracy. Without it, the public cannot be informed or participatory.
Assuming the public relies on the media for a significant portion of that access, Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh is doing a disservice to his constituents. He is clogging the flow of communication from City Hall to the media, and to the public.
While City Hall was in lockdown mode this spring as Administrator Mark Vahlsing's messy exit unfolded, Marsh enforced a 2001 media policy that requires information about "substantial non-routine" matters to flow through the Director of General Government position. Since that position no longer exists, Marsh, oddly, made Vahlsing the information gatekeeper. With Vahlsing gone, Marsh apparently is manning the gate.
An example of how information now "flows" out of City Hall came this week, as Times reporters were making calls on concerns about unlawful and disruptive activities at Recreation Park. Alderman Mark Coplien alerted the Times to the concerns in an e-mail he also sent to most aldermen.
The logical person to ask about issues at Recreation Park is Park Supervisor Paul Klinzing. Klinzing said the mayor would need to answer questions about the park.
The mayor told the Times he hadn't received any specific complaints about Recreation Park - though the same e-mail was sent to him - and said he would look into the matter.
Bill Bethke, the Monroe Park Commission chairman, another logical person to talk to about the issue, referred our questions to Marge Klinzing, recreation supervisor. She said the mayor would need to answer the questions.
So much for the information flow.
We will reiterate what was said in this space on May 5:
In private business, it's common practice for media questions to get kicked up to the corporate level, where spokespersons hired to put the best public spin on a situation are the only people accessible.
Getting the same treatment from your public government is not acceptable. And if you think this is simply a media issue, it is worth noting that the 2001 media policy apparently being followed pertains to "information released to the media and/or general public."
Department heads have an expertise in their particular areas that sometimes allows them to provide insight and information on issues that the mayor or administrator can't. They should be accessible and accountable to the media, and the general public, for questioning at all times, especially on matters that are "substantial" to the public.
Aldermen should ask the mayor why he has chosen this particular time to restrict who at City Hall can speak, and when. And then they should revise the media policy to allow for a free flow of information to the public. It is, after all, government by and for the people.
Assuming the public relies on the media for a significant portion of that access, Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh is doing a disservice to his constituents. He is clogging the flow of communication from City Hall to the media, and to the public.
While City Hall was in lockdown mode this spring as Administrator Mark Vahlsing's messy exit unfolded, Marsh enforced a 2001 media policy that requires information about "substantial non-routine" matters to flow through the Director of General Government position. Since that position no longer exists, Marsh, oddly, made Vahlsing the information gatekeeper. With Vahlsing gone, Marsh apparently is manning the gate.
An example of how information now "flows" out of City Hall came this week, as Times reporters were making calls on concerns about unlawful and disruptive activities at Recreation Park. Alderman Mark Coplien alerted the Times to the concerns in an e-mail he also sent to most aldermen.
The logical person to ask about issues at Recreation Park is Park Supervisor Paul Klinzing. Klinzing said the mayor would need to answer questions about the park.
The mayor told the Times he hadn't received any specific complaints about Recreation Park - though the same e-mail was sent to him - and said he would look into the matter.
Bill Bethke, the Monroe Park Commission chairman, another logical person to talk to about the issue, referred our questions to Marge Klinzing, recreation supervisor. She said the mayor would need to answer the questions.
So much for the information flow.
We will reiterate what was said in this space on May 5:
In private business, it's common practice for media questions to get kicked up to the corporate level, where spokespersons hired to put the best public spin on a situation are the only people accessible.
Getting the same treatment from your public government is not acceptable. And if you think this is simply a media issue, it is worth noting that the 2001 media policy apparently being followed pertains to "information released to the media and/or general public."
Department heads have an expertise in their particular areas that sometimes allows them to provide insight and information on issues that the mayor or administrator can't. They should be accessible and accountable to the media, and the general public, for questioning at all times, especially on matters that are "substantial" to the public.
Aldermen should ask the mayor why he has chosen this particular time to restrict who at City Hall can speak, and when. And then they should revise the media policy to allow for a free flow of information to the public. It is, after all, government by and for the people.
