More and more often these days one hears elected officials from a range of small governments say they’d rather not talk to the newspaper. I’m just an individual, they say, and can’t speak for the board. Contact an administrator or designated spokesman.
Rubbish.
It’s unclear where such an idea originated, or how it’s been allowed to propagate, but it seems to have spread to the governing bodies of several Whidbey Island junior taxing districts and it’s disappointing. The public doesn’t elect boards or groups, they elect individuals, which means people have a right to know what those leaders think or believe concerning just about any issue under the sun.
Recently, Whidbey General Hospital commissioners declined to speak with a reporter about the salary of the organization’s new CEO, referring them to the board chairwoman. Similar comments have been made by South Whidbey School Board directors concerning a controversial public records policy, with questions being directed to the superintendent and board president.
Having concerns about saying the wrong thing, particularly when it might prove unpopular or even have legal consequences, is perfectly understandable. Elected officials should choose their words with care, but they still need to be open, honest and upfront with constituents about the matters they are deciding.
One can only imagine the public outcry if a county commissioner said they were just one of three voices so were going to skip voicing their opinion about policy issues for the next four years. It would never fly because we, the people who elect them, have a right to know what our chosen leaders think about the issues they are deciding on our behalf.
Our right to know is why public meetings are public, why decisions can’t be made behind closed doors. Elected officials work for us. It’s why they are called public servants.
Telling people what you really think might be scary, and the backlash uncomfortable and at times downright unfair. But that’s the price of leadership, especially in politics.
When it comes to elected office, silence simply isn’t part of the job.
