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by Fred Kirby                                  April 20, 2005 

It is said by those who write on ethics in public affairs that understanding the primacy of responsibility is the starting point of ethical conduct. 

That lack of responsibility stood out in stark reality at a recent council meeting. With the Deputy Mayor, Sandy Donald, acting in place of Mayor Sutton, a discussion on waste management was interrupted when CAO, John deRosenroll, and Clerk, Rosaline Graham, advised that no consensus could be sought of recommended fee increases because the increases had not received the three weeks required public notice. Donald asked, “Why did administration not realize this problem before the meeting”? He put staff on the spot at a public meeting. 

He was wrong. Responsibility starts at the top, in this case with Sandy Donald. Because Donald chaired a council meeting without a grasp of the agenda and its implications is no reason to criticize those who cannot argue back. If he was “visibly up-set” it should have been with himself. A simple “sorry” to council saying he had overlooked the matter would have been sufficient. That would demonstrate responsible, accountable leadership. 

It is best for those aspiring to lead to accept blame and give credit rather than assign blame and take credit. We do not want mayors and deputy mayors who revel in leading parades but shrink from battle.  

Our Mayor and Deputy Mayor have consistently refused to deal with the Tiverton water issue openly and honestly. They refuse to say what their plans for Reunion Park are and avoided discussion on a $600,000 tourist booth. Transparency is a foreign word to them. It was Chief Justice Brandeis of the USA Supreme Court who said, “Sunlight is the best of disinfectants; electric light is the most effective policeman.” I do not understand why our mayor and deputy mayor shy away from instituting transparent and accountable government. After all, it is the public’s business.