Transparency is very important in government

Editor, The Citizen January 26, 2009

It is refreshing to see a new president take office with so many differences than previous administrations. This new president started his first day with new house rules, if you will. One of their most important policies is government transparency. This is a tremendous undertaking considering the size of the president's staff for one thing. Let's also take into account the volume of responsibilities, the multitude of levels of importance, and the oftentimes insurmountable task of policing the world. It is mind boggling to think of doing all of these things and remembering that first and foremost, to serve those who elected him into office.

I did a little searching on the White House webpage the day after the inauguration. The site was already updated with information about the new President, VP, and the entire staff. All sorts of information are available. One can even sign up for updates. Imagine that? Updates from the White House! I can hardly wait to get my first one! I look forward to watching this new administration proceed ahead, with their most difficult days yet to come.

It's uplifting to feel the energy and the hope. I wish I could feel that on the local level with a much, much smaller number of government staff. I would love to see transparency in our town of Moultonboro, NH. I would take pleasure in knowing that our BOS are upfront with their ideas or those presented to them from the citizens of the community.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. I do believe that most that serve or have served on the Board did not intend to be secretive in their actions. Some may have unknowingly done so. Others have been downright deceitful in a vain effort to pull off their personal plans. What is even more disturbing is the manner in which some Selectmen have treated their constituents. I have witnessed sneers, rolling of eyes, sighs of impatience, condescending remarks and even an underhanded attempt to deny citizens information, or to at least make it difficult to attain documents. This is vehemently denied, of course.

There is evidence of the 'good ol' boys' club in our neighborhood. The same folks have served on various committees and boards for years and years. Some of those people have no intention of stepping aside for other people to have opportunities. Some are even bursting with self importance bordering on arrogance. These are people that resist change of any kind. Be it SB2, limited school and town budgets, public access or most recently an attempt to undermine the rights of voters to request secret ballots at Town Meeting with a House Bill changing the existing law. This does not just affect the good folks of Moultonboro, NH, but every voter in the state of NH whether residing in an SB2 town or not. This bill is sponsored by a member of State House of Representatives that also sits on the BOS of Moultonboro.

The bill was mentioned to the citizens of the town less than a week before the bill was presented in Concord for consideration by the House. No attempt was made for the constituents of three neighboring towns to have any kind of public discussion prior to the presentation to the House.

I'm afraid I do not see this as transparency. Rather, I see this as a blatant, deceitful effort to slowly chip away at the rights of citizens. What could possibly be accomplished by this bill? Who benefits? Is this a power play? Is this retaliation for something?

I believe that any person entering into politics at any level has to have thick skin to accept criticism even if it seems unwarranted. When someone cannot accept criticism is then that the 'you know what' starts to sling! That is when I believe transparency becomes murky, and trust in government goes by the wayside.

Transparency and The Right to Know are important laws to help protect citizens from pervasive dishonesty or preferential treatment towards cronies. It is so upsetting to me to watch this behavior from elected officials. How quickly they forget that they were elected by the people, to serve the people. How quickly and easily they lose the values that encouraged citizens to elect them in the first place.

Maybe reality will sink in when someone else takes the votes away. Maybe in this day of technology and instant news, the value of transparency and honesty will expose the murkiness of lies.

Linda N. Punturieri

Moultonborough