Archives - Joan Fenton Touts Jefferson School/Raises Issue of Public Trust in Local Government
February 2002
Letters to the Editor: Joan Fenton Touts Jefferson School/Raises Issue of Public Trust in Local Government
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Dear George,

I would like to see us turn our attention to issues that are more closely related to the race for city council [than entrapment and/or decriminalization of sodomy].

For instance, I received an e mail from Kenneth Martin today which included the press release that Meredith Richards issued about closed sessions of city council relating to the Jefferson school. If we truly wish to have
trust between the city government and the community, decisions such as this must be done in open session.

Statement on Closed Meetings and the Jefferson School

In the future, Council should hold no more closed meetings on the future of the Jefferson School. The practice of meeting behind closed doors to discuss the fate of the school is a deterrent to establishing trust with the community. By meeting in closed session, we have erected a wall of secrecy around the Jefferson School, and some in the community do not believe that we have been acting in good faith.

It's essential that council regain the public trust. The Jefferson School is too important to those who understand its historic meaning and the lessons it can teach us to let our credibility continue to slide on this issue. We must expose ourselves to the light of open, public discussions.

City Council has been meeting in closed session about the Jefferson School for months, as allowed by state law, with discussions centered on the sale and redevelopment of the property. At the last meeting, councilors agreed to shelve the RFP, and broaden the discussion to include successful models that might be used to restore the historic school through broad community effort.

At the same time, the community was developing a deep distrust of the process. This, I'm convinced, drove the citizens to organize. Now, there is a need to restore trust and show all sectors of the community that we are listening and willing to discuss other options.

The impending transfer of title to the school to council makes the open discussions all the more important. As we prepare to accept the title, the importance of open, honest discussion with the community increases. Once we are actually in possession of the building, we must demonstrate that we have no secret agenda, no inside deals, and are prepared to work with the community in good faith.

As the public process gets underway, councilors, the school board, and members of the Citizens for Jefferson School can develop a real partnership to research and plan for the future role of the building. We won't get to a position of trust and collaboration by holding mutually exclusive, secretive meetings. Council can be of real assistance as we work together to find a future for the Jefferson School that works to the broadest public interest. In the process, we must be open on all sides to reconciliation.

Meredith Richards (Press release, electronic mail, received February 13, 2002)

Lets use your web site to continue the discussion on the Jefferson school, the decisions that have been made, and each candidates vision for the building and the pre-school program. And why not raise the issue of public trust in its local government?

Sincerely yours,

Joan Fenton (electronic mail, February 13, 2002)

Comments? Questions? Write me at george@loper.org.