Today Hal Heiner released his plan for open government, and it includes some specific actions he says he'll put in place if elected. Here's his list:
1. Comprehensive Audit of All Metro Departments
2. Metro Council Oversight on Expenditures
3. Posting Louisville's “Legal Books” Online
4. Performance Metrics and Measurements in Government
5. Post a Debt Calendar and Schedule Online
6. Compile List of Non-essential Properties – Then Sell Them
7. Issue RFPs for Development Deals
8. When's My Street Getting Paved?
9. Who's Driving that Metro Vehicle?
10. Publish Financial Data for Quasi-Governmental Agencies
It looks like transparency is the big issue in the Mayor's Race, based solely on what the candidates talk the most about. It's simply a response to the administration of Jerry Abramson, which has a reputation for putting in place secret deals, i.e. Cordish, without Metro Council or citizen input.
As opposed to Greg Fischer's transparency plan issued last week, Heiner calls for specific actions -- I like that one about selling non-essential properties. Whereas Fischer's release discussed creating a "culture of inclusiveness," Heiner is calling for a comprehensive audit.
These two aren't the only ones touting how transparent they're going to be, but I'm giving Heiner credit for at least providing citizens with concrete examples of how he's going to do it.
Wow!....At least the List is direct & To-the-Point of a number of concerns. What I don't get?....Is why during his term as a Councilman did he never attempt to gain support with any of the other councilman to implement any of these procedures.
I just don't get why not only Hal, but King & Tandy have subcumed to being yesmen all along to the MAyor, rubber stamped his every wish , and now say they are aware that things need to CHANGE?...They have been there all along for how many years!....lets not forget that!...I mean Local People have been SCREAMING LOUDLY about these issues for years and nothing has been done by these guys, It's NOT like the local VOCALS havent brought these issues up to HAL!.....KING!....and TANDY!,,,,,maybe they got their hearing aids fixed?
Even though I support Tyler Allen, this is the kind of details I want to see from all the candidates. And therefore, I have to be honest and salute Hal Heiner for this.
And I would add: Putting the city's bank statements online. I would think we need to see how the other now-transparent city figures match up to the statements with the financial institutions. Since the reputation of the institutions would be on the line, they would have to be honest, and that would give us all greater peace of mind with the other information we're being given.
Kevin,
How do you know he did?.....Because it would be on record if he had made an effort, or he'd be reminding and telling us about it now. Don't get me wrong.....I just think it's BS when these canidates all of a sudden after years of being there, now want to pontificate about how they are concerned with all this pompus caring ? What the Hell?....Have they been Asleep for the last four - five years while all Jerrys tricks have been going on under their noses, On their Watch! Now because it'll benefit THEM!....What else Can they say?
I mean just Look! at TANDY....Hell he was sent to Baltimore to get the goods on Cordish spending , and whats he DO!....buries the deal and covers it up! Gee who's instructions do you think he was following?
Hal and King knew what was shaping up and just kept their heads down, Not one of them really took a proactive effort to challenge the Mayor & Cordish!....They basically just let'em get away with what they wanted to do. I just think they have had a lot of opportunities to Stand UP!...and show some character that they were serving the taxpayers who elected them but were laxed in any efforts. Now they want a chance to RUN the show?....hummmm?
view locals now online
This one, at least, has some meat in it.
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Rick Redding