Public service is often described as a thankless task, usually undertaken by volunteers or those with a deep-seated desire to help their community. However, there is a dangerous misconception that because local representatives are often “part-time,” the standards of their work should be anything less than professional.
Lately, I have been reflecting on just how difficult it is to uphold the principles of accountability within a small local authority. It is a painful learning process, and it requires a thick skin.
The “Duty of the Record”
At the heart of any democracy is the public record—the minutes. These are not just notes; they are the legal history of how public money is spent and how decisions are made. If the minutes are inaccurate, incomplete, or “sanitized” to avoid controversy, the public loses its ability to hold its representatives to account.
Insisting on accuracy is often seen as “being difficult.” It creates friction. It makes meetings longer. But as public servants, our primary duty is to the residents, not to the comfort of the boardroom. If we cannot get the record of our meetings right, how can the public trust us to get the big decisions right?
Transparency vs. “Private Sessions”
There is a growing, concerning trend toward moving difficult discussions into “private sessions.” While the law allows for privacy in specific cases—such as personnel matters or legal advice—transparency must remain the default.
When public business is moved behind closed doors without a strict legal necessity, it risks becoming a “quiet club” where accountability is traded for convenience. A board that is afraid of public scrutiny is a board that is failing its mandate. We are elected to serve in the light, not to orchestrate outcomes in the dark.
The Road to Outstanding
My ultimate goal has never been about “winning” an argument; it has been about service. I firmly believe that our parish has the potential to move from ‘satisfactory’ to ‘outstanding.’ However, this transformation requires a board that is willing to acknowledge its own errors, correct its records, and prioritize transparency above personal defense.
If the price of moving our services forward is my own departure, provided the public record is corrected and our governance is set on the right path then I am prepared to pay that price. True public service is not about holding onto a seat; it is about ensuring that the systems we leave behind are better, more transparent, and more effective than the ones we found.
The High Price of Standing Up
Advocating for higher standards is not a popular path. It often results in internal pushback, procedural maneuvers, or even formal warnings intended to stifle dissent.
I acknowledge that this pursuit of accuracy can be intense. It is a challenge to balance the need for collaboration with the absolute necessity of procedural integrity. However, the alternative, silence in the face of mediocrity, is a far greater risk to our community.
Moving Forward
The residents of Patrick deserve a local authority that is beyond reproach. We should welcome the friction of debate and the scrutiny of the public. Accountability isn’t a burden to be managed; it is the very foundation of the trust the public places in us.
If we want to move our community forward, we must first ensure we are standing on a foundation of truth and transparency. Anything less is a disservice to the people we represent.
