It seems clear that all of St. Albert could benefit greatly by more transparency at city hall.
Of necessity, the administration of a city the size of St. Albert is both extensive and complicated. As the civic employees work to provide the many services that exist in a modern city such as ours, they inevitably directly affect the lives and pocketbooks of the citizens.
At the same time, the citizens of St. Albert are successful busy people attending to their businesses, professional responsibilities, and extensive obligations required in their various occupations. As they struggle to fulfil their duties at work, look after their children, and spend time supporting their churches, service clubs, and sporting activities, there is little time to be analyzing the plans and operations of city hall.
If, then, our city is going to be an effective democracy in which the citizens understand, contribute to, and approve the policies and programs which emanate from city council, it becomes critical to use all the modern means of communication to inform the citizens.
Unfortunately, it seems far too much of the business transacted by the city is conducted in-camera, or is never clearly disclosed to the general public before it is implemented as policy.
Of course, it is acknowledged that secrecy is essential in instances in which public disclosure would result in damage to certain individuals or additional costs to the general public, however, there is much of civic affairs which could be fully disclosed to the public without any personal or public injury.
BK Bakhshish Kang, St. Albert
