Tomorrow night, I will be introducing an ordinance to the Fort Wayne Common Council to advance the cause of open and transparent government.
The proposed ordinance would raise the City of Fort Wayne to the higher standard for public notice that the State of Indiana sets for itself by state statute.
It also creates a new section of the Fort Wayne City Code entitled "Open Government." It is expected that additional ordinances arising from the work of the Open Government Task Force will be placed in this code section.
I'll write more tomorrow on the topic.
Jeff Pruitt and Scott Spaulding have both posted information on their respective weblogs.
Mitch:
You continue to be on the ball here. A true voice for those younger folks like myself, who love technology along with open, efficient, and hard-working government.
Congrats and I hope she passes.
P.S. Think long and hard about a mayoral run!
Ed. note:
Regarding your P.S. - I don't think Tony Henry would let me. Corned beef and cabbage might be cut off and that wouldn't be good.
Readers - Neil and Pat McAlister are the co-editors of the weblog - Political Equinox. http://politicalequinox.com
Posted by: Neil Kelty | March 25, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Mitch,
This is indeed raising the bar and may be a lightning rod around the state for other communities with the model here of a multi-jurisdictional with citizens involved approach, led by the City Council, Allen County, Mayor's Administration, Wayne Township and others including citizens all along the journey.
The idea of a section in ordinance that can be expanded to include other ideas from the Open Goverment Forums is excellent and proactive. "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people" only works when driven by open gov principles allowing an informed and involved publc. The ordinance idea is a good vehicle to keep the bar raised over the course of time.
Posted by: dan jehl | March 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
It ostensibly sounds like a good idea, but the larger problem with Fort Wayne City Council is not its relative openness.
Until City Government loses its hearty appetite to pass more and more ordinances that micro-manage our daily existence and places more and more obstacles for businesses, does the level of light being shined on it really matter that much?
The current City Council has done a better job of this than the previous one so far (although the muzzle placed on Councilman Bender is a bit over the top), but I still have my seat belt firmly tightened.
Posted by: Roger McNeill | March 25, 2008 at 04:26 PM