Why the heck should Lansing (MI) Mayor Virg Bernero be interested in attending Transparency Camp this weekend in Washington, D.C.?
City government in Michigan’s State Capital City is struggling and the main issues seem to revolve around trust. Many citizens feel they don’t know who to believe about the operation of their city where they live and where they raise their families.
As Lansing approaches elections for the City Council and for Mayor this fall, there’s plenty of serious issues like the status of almost 1,000 foreclosed homes, the level of police protection, the quality of life in the city’s many neighborhoods, the viability of its dwindling tax base and a perceived veil of secrecy that surrounds much of the operation of city hall.
How do you deal with that? Transparency. Let people see everything or as much as possible of what’s happening with the level of government they’re closest to.
Transparency Camp in D.C. will deal with that. It’s individuals and organizations coming together to discuss how to use technology and social media to make available to the public what previously had been given to city leaders.
My son Justin will be there and I know that he’ll post his reaction to what’s discussed.
Do you feel Lansing City Hall is open or transparent enough in what it does? How can that be improved?
