Only the best need apply

I have great expectations and anticipation regarding the changes to come with the new Town Council members elected this past election. One of the many highlights during this cycle was the commitment from most of the candidates to move the council further to transparency in their decision-making. As we look back over the past ten years, this has been a concern as we watched previous councils appear to focus on their self-interest rather than what was good for our community.

Our citizens have expressed concern regarding the secrecy and lack of transparency in the process of making these appointments in the past. This new Council will be put to its first test in the next 45 days as they collectively decide who to appoint for the open seat that our new Mayor will vacate.

Not long ago, the council selected only candidates the local Republican party endorsed. Also, remember when the council selected an outgoing Councilman who did not run for reelection to fill one of these vacant seats. The Council’s mandate is to appoint the best individual with the best skills, and not based on personality, pressure from outside influences, or party affiliation.

During the last appointment, citizens requested that the names of the people applying and their resumes be made public. The Council denied the citizens’ request justifying it as a personnel issue which may or may not be true. It was disconcerting once the public found out that there were several individuals with superior skills and experience than the individual appointed.

Again, citizens are doing their due diligence by requesting to see the pool of applicants and their qualifications prior to the selection. It is the Council’s responsibility to debate and choose the individual best qualified. Suppose transparency is truly the desire of the council moving forward. In that case, they should have no problem releasing the names and qualifications of the individuals applying for an appointment to the public. That is the Council’s due diligence.

As my grandma used to say: “I guess we will see where the rubber meets the road on this issue.” Certainly, it would be a good step toward improving the Town government’s transparency moving forward.

Michael Graham
Front Royal, Virginia