Candidate Q&A: How Would you Improve Transparency in Government?

In weeks leading up to the , Patch is asking our nine City Council candidates a series of questions significant to the community.

Today's question: Residents have cited transparency issues in South Pas government. Do you agree? If so, what would you change (or like to see change) if elected? 

David Margrave

I would eliminate back door, closed session meetings as much as possible. We should hold all meetings that affect the public in public. Dan Watson—they fired him in closed session, and they don't want to admit it, but they did. 

Some meetings are mandated by state law to be in closed session, but I don't believe it's the proper way. Let the public hear the debate and be part of it. Wages and benefites are discussed in closed session, but it should be an open hearing where everyone knows exactly what's discussed. We should change the law, and it can be done. It takes a person such as myself to go to Sacramento. Residents don't know what's going on until it's done. We need to change that law.

Mike Ten

Each election season lack of transparency has been pointed to as a current problem, and I'm sure next time it will be again. I understand the feelings of those who are claiming the lack there of; there are always ways to improve—nothing is ever perfect. But the cases being put forward as the latest examples Fair Oaks and the Police Chief have different levels of public transparency—both were met.

Alan Reynolds

There have been transparency issues. We need to be making decisions in public, not behind closed doors. We need description of agenda items to be correct. We need the "Why's" of decisions. We need more ways of providing information to the public and ways for input to be brought into the decision-making. We need Councilmembers who will be self-accountable, as well as keep others accountable as well.

Marina Khubesrian

A transparent and open government is the only way we have to ensure that the political machine ("to the victor go the spoils") does not corrupt the democratic process. Elected officials should only be acting in the best interest of the residents who live here and not have their loyalty compromised by donors wanting contracts with the city. That is why I will take campaign contributions from residents who live in South Pasadena but not unions or corporations that have contracts with the City. 

Ernie Arnold

We are talking about integrity and honest dealing. These are character issues that new rules and procedures will not correct. The Brown Act is already in place to prohibit backroom deals. If our elected officials want to hide their dealings, they will go around any new rules. We have to be more careful in electing our City officials. Laws do not stop criminals and new rules will not stop people intent on deceit.

Richard Schneider

Transparency is not just a word, albeit an overused word in this campaign, but a true commitment to democratic participation and citizen involvement. The Council must adhere strictly to the Brown Act, but even more so it must respect the commissions and encourage people to take part in the City’s business. This should not be viewed as an inconvenience to the Council, but as an opportunity to help the Council make the best decisions.

Art Salinas

I think the problem with the vast majority of residents is not so much transparency as it is communication from City Hall. I would like to see the City improve its communication with the residents by placing its agenda, and announcing upcoming meetings and events, on the PEG channels, in the Review and online. Also, many small towns have a marquee out front of their City Hall on which announcements of meetings, and infrastructure repairs, are made. A nice marquee might fit our environment.  

I think City Council can improve transparency by recommitting to comply with the Brown Act's agendizing requirement. We need to remind ourselves at each meeting that we will only discuss what is on the agenda, especially in closed session. We could also do a better job of respecting the channels of authority between the Council and the City Manager. The City Manager is the one that implements the City Council's policy. We need to allow that.

Bob Joe

Important to me is transparency and integrity. I want our City to have a good reputation now and in the future. Having transparency in City government is based on City officials having integrity, being sincere and honest, and having an attitude of being open and objective to the citizens of South Pasadena. We cannot have City officials with their own personal or political agendas.  

Chris Glaeser

City Council members and candidates throw the word “transparency” around as a lifesaver to end all problems. Transparency is not just a word; transparency is an action. That is why I have created a 20-point Transparency Action Plan to implement changes that will better inform our citizens of City Council activities. The plan is posted on my website.