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This and That
Public officials are a dedicated lot
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 |
Public officials by and large really are dedicated to helping their constituents. I base that opinion after years of dealing with them in my capacity as a journalist.
Being a mayor, a councilman or a member of a municipal board is a thankless job. Some are paid a salary, but most work for a pittance or for free. In return they put in long hours, face abuse at public meetings, receive calls at all hours of the day and night, and even face threats by the borderline unstables who thrive in all communities and especially at municipal meetings.
Being a public official is not just the glamor of sitting on a council or getting your name in the paper. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work like fiscal budgets, understanding complicated ordinances, resolving flooding problems, crime and a multitude of other issues. There is planning for the future of a community, housing, seeking federal or state project funds and all the other responsibilities that come with holding public office.
The days of backroom politics and making official decisions behind closed doors are long gone. The state’s Sunshine Law saw to that and each year the Florida Attorney General’s Office compiles a new Government-in-the-Sunshine manual for our public officials to follow.
It all began in 1909 with the passage of the “Public Records Law” that opened records made or received by government agencies. Then in 1967 Florida’s “Government-in-the-Sunshine Law” was passed. It established a basic right of access to most meetings of boards, commissions and other governing bodies. It essentially means that public officials at all levels cannot hold closed door meetings to decide on things that affect taxpayers.
Pinellas Park Councilwoman Patricia Bailey-Snook years ago was a victim of those closed door sessions when she first entered politics. She tells the story about the all-male good ol’ boys machine that would adjourn to the men’s room to discuss official business, until the day she and a gutsy female newspaper reporter followed them.
Public meetings are just that. They ensure that no hanky-panky exists. Many of those meetings are broadcast live on local public access television and recordings of them are available to the public.
These days you don’t read much about tainted governments. Years ago some areas of Florida made New Jersey’s notorious corruption look tame. I recall covering one Garden State township where the mayor and Town Council president went to jail after being convicted of accepting bribes. Actually, come to think of it, there were more than a few cases of that.
Are modern day politicians honest? Do they really want to work to help their communities? By and large, yes. And we need them to run the daily business of government and to guide us through the maze of rules and regulations, planning the future and resolving the many issues that complicate our lives.
Until next time …
Thomas Michalski is the editor of the Pinellas Park Beacon.
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Article published on Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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