Transparency - Questions for Council Candidates

Editor's Note - Welcome to the 11th installment of Questions for Council Candidates. Recently, Hyattsville Patch sent a 15 part questionnaire to candidates running in this year's Hyattsville City Council election. The questions, developed with the help of Hyattsville Patch readers, probe the candidates thoughts on city policy, development, and also asked the candidates to do a little self reflection. 

Between now and May 7, Hyattsville Patch will be publishing their responses to each question to help you, the reader, make a more informed decision at the polls on May 7. Here now are the responses to the 11th question. Responses are organized alphabetically by ward.

Question - What steps, if any, should the city council and city administration take to be more transparent in their operations? If you feel that additional transparency measures are necessary, how would you implement those steps?

Bill Jenne - I would limit closed sessions to a limited number over a certain period of time agreeable to the council members and mayor. I think they are necessary perhaps at times but should be few and far between.

Bart Lawrence - The City Council and Mayor should operate in as transparent method as possible. Substantive agendas and packets should be provided well ahead of meetings and they should be complete and accurately reflect what will be discussed at a meeting. 

I’ve been pleased to see the increased detail in the meeting minutes recorded by our new City Clerk. The minutes allow residents to understand what was decided on an issue and what the rationale for the decision was. I have always found City staff responsive whenever I’ve asked for information they could legally release. It’s unacceptable that a Council Member should need to submit a FOIA request to acquire public information needed to arrive at an informed decision on a matter. 
Transparency also includes an honest and open exchange between Council Members and their constituents. Again, it’s important that constituents feel as though they are being heard.

Ward 2 Candidates:

Robert Croslin - The city offices do a good job of transparency by posting studies and minutes of council meeting on line and by re-airing council meetings on cable television.  If there is a problem, it may be one of communication.  I think better communication on the part of council members would help to promote trust in the government.  As councilman I will host ward meetings and encourage and attend regular block meetings. I will also promote block parties where public officials can attend and have one on one conversations with attendees.

David Hiles (Incumbent) - My record is clear on this topic.

Ward 3 Candidate:

Patrick Paschall - The city staff of Hyattsville are dedicated public servants, working hard to ensure the right information is sent in a timely manner about a variety of issues.  This includes timely updates about the work of the city’s various departments through a variety of mechanisms such as the city website and The Hyattsville Reporter.  The city can improve on these measures by making City Council meetings available online and increased use of the Hyattsville cable channel to disseminate information.  

In terms of transparency, I believe that an overburdened staff, including leadership staff who hold multiple jobs, is a significant contributing factor to the delay of certain information being made publicly available.  The recently hired City Administrator committed to open communication and government transparency as a key message in his interview with city residents a few weeks ago, and we should take that as a sign of hope for the free-flow of information.  This also means that the City Council and residents of Hyattsville should hold him to his pledges, and make clear requests for the information we would like to see coming out of the Municipal Building.

Ward 4 Candidates:

Ross Gateretse - For the city of Hyattsville, transparency will keep residents informed about local issues and allow the public to have access to information about government operations. The level of public involvement in city decision making is important. The city should provide residents a platform to see what actions are performed so that anyone interested in certain government policies will be able  to influence the decisions.

Edouard Haba - The only recommendation I will have here is to see the Council's meetings re-transmitted and all major City documents translated in Spanish.
Ward 5 Candidates:

Pastor Herrera - Editor's Note - Herrera did not submit responses to this questionnaire before the publication deadline.

Joseph Solomon - Less closed council sessions.

Clayton Williams - Every one of us pays for the government with our taxes. There is no reason anyone should feel like they can’t find out what is being done with their money. While there are already some efforts being made to improve how the city communicates with the community, I have no doubt that a conversation with the new city administrator, the local media, and concerned citizens can help us address further concerns in a responsible way that doesn’t place a huge burden on city staff.