-------- Your tax dollars at work ---------
Well dear reader.... it appears we are beginning a new political era.... with the opening to the public of Friday's meeting between municipal officials in Shelburne County and new Provincial Ministers who are responsible for six portfolios. Providing the public with the opportunity to hear the questions asked and the answers given is what democracy is all about......
As you can tell from the comments of your fellow readers ..... hopes and expectations are high (for the most part).... even though some comments remain cynical and critical. More importantly folks appear ready to demand more openness from our politicians and public servants in the conduct of public affairs....
Witness the recent public outcries and demands for answers ..... in Barrington, Tusket, the Municipality of Yarmouth ..... and even the Town of Yarmouth.... a call to stop public bodies from conducting public business behind closed doors with little recorded evidence of what transpired has gone out from the public and smart politicians will heed the call.... now!
This fledgling movement .... for access to information and transparency must be at the heart of informed dialogue between government and the governed respecting public issues .... and that is terrific!
Friday's opportunity for the public to listen in on a conversation between two levels of government ......is an important first step on the path to better governance and bodes well for the future..... I'm certainly looking forward to it and I hope you are too.
By the way...... If you get a chance to attend you might consider bringing along your older children and explaining to them the importance of informed public participation in a democracy..... they'll thank you in the years to come.
