08/10/2023
With the recent success of the North Carolina Citizens for Transparent Government, formed two years ago, since its win in the Appeals Court and the press it is receiving from regional and national news, it might be worth revisiting how this small grass roots organization was started and how it has grown to be a champion for citizens rights for Transparency.
When former Pinehurst village council member Kevin Drum faced violations of “transparency” by fellow elected officials in 2021, he focused his aim beyond personal interests. Acting in the face of adversity, he made the public's trust his priority, sensing that the broader implications of declining trust in transparency in local government.
By focusing on the bigger picture, Drum sought to turn a negative — allegations by the village mayor of an ethical lapse — into a positive impact, long term, for the citizens of North Carolina. He concluded he needed to build a organization from scratch with the sole mission of protecting the public from back room deals. "North Carolina Citizens for Transparent Government" emerged and marked a significant step toward safeguarding the rights of the state’s citizens. After its formation and talking to experts in the field of transparency.
Drum took a proactive approach by guiding the newly created team to pursue a test case as a first step — a lawsuit charging Pinehurst Mayor John Strickland and two other council members with violations of state open meetings law.
This bold measure would reassure the public that elected officials always will be held accountable, and that the rights of citizens prevail. NCCTG’s potential to make a lasting impact on the state's governance and public trust is boundless.
The organization’s vision is not only fight for Transparency in perpetuity but also:
1. Create A Volunteer Network: Create a network of volunteers dedicated to attending public meetings, taking notes, and reporting back. This not only increases coverage but also shows local governments that the public is engaged.
2. Create Transparency Awards: Recognize and reward local governments exemplifying transparent practices. Positive reinforcement can inspire others to follow suit.
3. Create Public Awareness Campaigns: Run public service announcements and write op-eds in local media to spread word of the importance of government transparency.
4. Create Youth Engagement: Work with local schools and colleges to educate younger generations about the importance of transparency.
5. Provide Resources: Offer toolkits or training sessions for local government officials, helping them understand and implement best practices for transparency.
6. Create an Annual Transparency Report: Publish an annual review of transparency practices across government bodies in North Carolina.
7. Legal Aid: If feasible, continue to provide legal support or resources for those who encounter violations of open meeting laws, or other transparency issues.
8. Create Feedback Mechanisms: Establish a way for citizens to provide feedback to continuously adapt and meet the North Carolina resident’s needs.
With our existing commitment and our future strategies in place, North Carolina Citizens for Transparent Government is committed to making a lasting impact on the state's governance and sustaining public trust.
(Attached is a video that shows government appearing to circumvent open meeting laws)
This is "Kangaroo Court Last 12-20-21.mov" by Stephen Woodward on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
