Supporting Open Transparent Government

This post was originally issued on the Hanover Park Progress Blog at:
http://www.hanoverparkprogress.com/blog/index.cfm?Fuseaction=ViewBlog&BlogTopicID=4589

Supporting Open, Transparent Government

HANOVER PARK, IL--"The members of Hanover Park Progress have pledged to instill a positive culture within our Village government," noted Rod Craig, Village President. "We believe in open, transparent government that uses resident input as the foundation for addressing issues. We do not believe that 'no' should be the first word from an elected official. Obviously, we can't solve every problem that comes our way, but we can't solve anything if we say 'no' right away."

The members of Hanover Park Progress came together over the last year because they recognized a need for a transparency in the Hanover Park Village Government. Communication, planning, accountability, and resident participation are at the heart of the changes proposed by Hanover Park Progress.

"The main job of a Village Trustee is to ask questions," comments Bill Cannon, candidate for Village Trustee. "Ask questions of Village staff to learn what they are doing. Ask questions of residents to see what they need. This should be a process of gathering information to make decisions. We communicate outward to residents; we communicate inward to staff."

Hanover Park Progress has defined the following in their party platform:

Create an Open and Transparent Village Government: Return Effectiveness to the Village Board by providing new leadership within the village

Return Accountability to the Hanover Park Government

• Create and enforce yearly goals and performance expectations for Village staff
• Establish a Finance Committee
• Make recordings of meetings available on Village Web site or public television
• Create an email newsletter to send to citizens
  

Return Leadership to Hanover Park Government

• Resume the practice of training for staff and elected officials
• Establish Trustee liaisons to Village Departments
• Increase participation by Hanover Park in the regional activities
• Promote involvement by elected officials in regional and national organizations
  

Establish a Strategic Planning Process that Sets Priorities

• Use a budgetary process that actually matches needs to resources
• Establish a competitive bid process that identifies the best deal on services for the Village
• Remove personal agendas and take politics out of Village Government
  

These platform items speak to a larger goal of focusing on the needs of residents. "We would never allow personal agendas to interfere with our job as a Village Board," comment Rick Roberts, candidate for Village Trustee. "We are committed to setting priorities and accomplishing the job that the people elect us to do."

It's time to return Village Government to the people of Hanover Park. It's time for Progress in Hanover Park.