I still am quite disappointed by the continued lack of candor by the City Council to get Measure W past the voters on Election Day tomorrow.
Surely Council members know that candor —the volunteering of information they know the community would think is important — is an essential part of the public trust.
If our Council members think that as long as they do not downright lie to the community, but only shade the truth and/or withhold pertinent information from the public, that they are still being trustworthy, then they are sadly, sadly mistaken.
Trustworthiness involves more than not lying.
The public’s trust once given, demands not only truthfulness from its elected officials, but also frankness and openness about the city’s decisions on important issues. That is why, as our elected officials, they owe this community candor on all matters that affect our lives.
It’s Playtime, Boys and Girls
Our Council needs to stop treating local voters as if they were little children who can be led around by the ear, only needing to be told what the Council wants them to know and nothing more.
Because the Council knows what is best for the community.
Advertisers play with the truth all the time in selling products. But this is Culver City, not Madison Avenue. The community expects better from its elected officials. It is not all right for the Council to deceive voters with carefully worded “selling points” about Measure W in order to get the right results.
Who Needs It More?
If Measure W passes and you own and use a cell phone or other new tech device to communicate, you are probably going to be paying 11 percent more for that service. If you think the city needs the increased revenues of Measure W more than you do, then vote “yes” on Measure W on Tuesday.
If not, and you don’t want to pay 11 percent more for your service, then vote “no” on Measure W.
As much as I believe the city could use the increased tax revenue, I hope that voters will reject Measure W tomorrow because of the Council’s calculated campaign of half-truths, the members’ lack of candor with the public and for withholding pertinent facts about Measure W from the community.
Time for Renewal
I also hope that whomever the voters elect tomorrow will bring to the Council a better sense and understanding of the solemn trust given to them by their community and of the candor, frankness, trustworthiness and above all, the honesty that is necessary in nurturing the public’s trust while in office.
