Foreman: Running open, honest, transparent government is the right thing to do

Opinion

Before and since running for elected office, a politician that continually inspires me is President, Abraham Lincoln. In his short but concise Gettysburg Address, which is ten sentences and 170 words in length, Lincoln preached about his commitment to a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

While his speech is over 150 years old, the lessons Lincoln taught are just as relevant today. I urge all the men and women serving in elected office to heed Lincoln’s advice, no matter what political party they represent.

As the Mayor of Dumfries, I am proud to put Lincoln’s words into action and I remain steadfast to follow in his footsteps in a very small way. I am committed to ensuring the people who put their trust in me to serve as Mayor get a town government that is open and honest with them at all times in return. That’s why I introduced a policy that allows for full transparency by televising all Council Meetings, whether they are scheduled or unscheduled.

Moreover, recognizing how difficult it might be for citizens to attend town meetings, while still tending to their jobs and family responsibilities, I brought predictability and certainty to the meeting schedule by holding one regular and one work session a month. Additionally, under my leadership, Dumfries now requires Members of Council and town staff to provide briefs to Council and citizens regarding town events to keep everyone informed. As Mayor, I have continually held Council accountable for their conduct, to include the most recent discussion aimed at preventing a politician from using public time and resources to promote their political ambitions through Town Council televised meetings.

An open, honest and transparent government isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue – it’s simply the right thing to do. I applaud the Governor and the State Legislature for coming together recently and passing ethics reforms on the state level. While the reforms weren’t perfect or a total panacea, they were a step in the right direction and an example of politicians from different parties working together to accomplish a common goal.

I, for one believe in servant leadership. We must never forget that we represent our voters and business owners’ interests; our actions reflect their values.

If elected to the State Senate, I pledge to be a reformer who works closely with moral government advocates and like-minded colleagues in both parties to ensure the most accountable and accessible state government possible. On that you have my word.

Jerry Foreman is a candidate for Virginia’s 36^th District State Senate seat. The district includes Mount Vernon, Lorton, Woodbridge, Dumfries, and North Stafford.