Transparency in Greenburgh, A Brave New World?

Government transparency is a goal that many agree upon, but implementation has been stifled or non-existent. Promises of transparency from our political leaders have thus far yielded little, if any, tangible changes or results. The exception is their ability to increase the public’s frustrations, anger and ultimately, abandonment. Where is the outbreak of information that informs and creates stronger public oversight of their respective local, state, and federal governments, offering involvement by the public? John and Jane Q., so desperate to even creep toward reformation of a broken and failing system, can find none! While our political “leaders” routinely offer their vision of transparency with requisite braggadocio, the reality resembles a Hollywood set, dressed with a nice facade offering no substance beyond what you can see.

One reason for this is the absence of specificity with the prescribed data practices that might foster transparency. A crucial mandate should require producing data as near to its origination date as possible, and as promptly as possible, enabling a forsaken public to rely on it’s publication to be the best sources of data. Another factor would be availability, ensuring consistency and confidence in the data. Information must be arranged so that a computer search can discover the data and its user follow linkages within it. This data must be presented utilizing a consistent methodology with a host of standards as to how data is identified, referenced, named, etc., culminating with documents and files, following accepted protocols for communicating data, and the organization of data within these files. It will require a revamping of websites to enable this into an actionable overhaul.

Finally, a critical channel for success with transparency, as well as governmental operations, is readability. It must foster the understanding of the data presented to be disseminated. Readable data must be logically structured so that the constituency can easily navigate the myriad of information and discern its practicality and usability in the constructs of its intended purpose. Can this be done? We can only hope.

Too often the media expounds the virtues of transparency only to coagulate suggested ideas and muddy the message. At the same time they will espouse champions of their choice who claim transparency and open government who will only participate when the convenience is apropos to their cause or not of any real consequence. Is this what the public hungers for or are there realistic and tangible needs they are seeking? At ABG, we know of few if any of our politicians interested in true transparency except for its verbalization. 


At ABG, we feel The Paul has done a grave disservice to the residents by touting open government and transparency, but offering little but nibbles at the entire pie. With a newly elected Town councilman, we can hope he might forge a new direction. ABG will remain hopeful until witnessed otherwise. He will be just one voice trying to turn a perfidious giant and go against his entrenched colleagues. We can only hope.