Transparency and inclusion – the key to healthy politics

Opinion

One thing that I have learned in my professional career as a strong leader is that transparency and inclusion builds strong results within a community of committed team players, committees or organizations.  I was so taken aback after reading that there was a closed door session to discuss prospective salary increases by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. Well, that is lack of transparency and inclusion.

As an elected public official, the steward of community welfare, it is imperative that the community can trust and believe that the official’s leadership and integrity is solid.  We need to know that our elected officials are focused on keeping their ears to the pulse of what the community needs, not what the official feels they are entitled to.  The act of conducting a closed door session to discuss a salary increase for the Board of Supervisors was plainly and simply an act of entitlement.   But, herein lies the question….is transparency, truth, and forthrightness disregarded when we make public decisions in a privately exclusive way?

If our government officials believe that they deserve an increase, then the discussion should be brought out in the open to the professionally astute constituents who elected them.  After all, as an elected official, your salary is exposed to the public openly.  So where is the accountability to the public?

My commitment to run for the Board of Supervisors is based upon my desire to serve the people with strong, inclusive leadership skills, corporate know-how, and community partnerships that I have developed in Prince William County since 1976. Also, my commitment is to work with my colleagues on the board to assess salaries of county employees, teachers, and public safety professionals to improve their quality of life.   My commitment is to build stronger bridges within the community by bringing more jobs to our county, addressing our transportation needs with a plan that is doable, and being more financially responsible in managing the county budget…   Closed door sessions prohibit the attainment of results for progress, growth, and change.   Prince William County is changing by leaps and bounds. The people have changed and so must our elected officials and the way we govern ourselves.

As a community, we need to seriously examine the need for closed door sessions and ask is it necessary in building a stronger, more advanced, and desirable Prince William County.   Think about it!

*Bailey is a candidate for Potomac district supervisor.