Sunshine Letter From Commissioner Jenny Brown

Sunshine is Not a Republican or Democrat Issue; It’s an American Principle Judging by the diversity and size of the group of residents who respectfully protested the closed Ad Hoc Budget Committee meeting last week, the Sunshine Movement in Lower Merion cannot be marginalized or dismissed. There were Democrats, Republicans, Independents, senior citizens, college students, at least one high school student, men, women, residents from eastern, central and western Lower Merion, workers and retirees. What this diverse group obviously shared was a passion to improve the results of government for all, increase public participation and deepen public trust. It was a truly remarkable experience to see this group come together to ask their elected representatives to let them see and participate in the governing process. Commissioners Gould, Zelov and I were there, but I wish that my four remaining colleagues on the AHB Committee had been willing to come into the room to share the experience and be inspired by it. Open government is a founding principle of our representative democracy and TRUST is the vital link between the government and the governed. Sadly, the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners is damaging the public trust by shutting out the public and keeping confidential, important information that should be disclosed. Worse, by impugning the motives of the Sunshine Movement, the majority has tried to deflect attention away from their refusal to open meetings. The diversity within the Sunshine Movement disproves the claim that it is motivated by partisan politics. Open government is not a partisan issue; it’s an American principle. At every opportunity, our Board should promote and encourage public presence and participation. Lower Merion is fortunate to have a talented and intelligent populace and we can only benefit by engaging this valuable resource. Moreover, elected officials cannot be held accountable if the public does not know of their decisions or what informs them and cannot see the deliberative process. Of course certain topics are exempt from the Sunshine Act, but such topics are not and have not been the subject of the closed budget meetings. At the closed meeting on Wednesday, Staff gave a very informative, well researched and documented presentation of certain options for reducing future Township expenses. Commissioners Gould, Zelov and I asked that the information be presented in a public meeting and were advised that the individual Commissioners will be asked to tell the Manager their reaction to the options and if a majority is in favor, the options will be presented publicly in May or June. The problems with this approach are obvious - only some commissioners have the benefit of the presentation by Township staff and Commissioners do not have the benefit of hearing their colleagues’ thoughts and views on the options. Further, if a majority’s preliminary preference is against the options, the public never has the opportunity to hear the options, offer their views, and influence the process. At the Fall budget hearings, the public will simply be told that there were no viable options to reduce spending.

In response to the protest, one Commissioner has suggested that the budget process be moved to closed sessions of the full Board. Instead of driving the process further into the back room, our Board should be inspired by the non-partisan protesters, to work together to open the meetings so that the Proposed Budget and the difficult choices it should include in these economic times, will truly reflect public knowledge and participation. In my ward, bipartisanship is a foundation of the community and of my relationship with my constituents. We have had many significant issues and we have faced them, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as neighbors and friends who engage each other to meet challenges. We could never have accomplished our successes were it not for that strong bi-partisan foundation and the solutions that were offered by the residents themselves. Even when we have not eventually prevailed, the bipartisan and open process has served to strengthen our bonds. Our Board of Commissioners can still turn contention into consensus if we simply agree that openness is not a Republican or Democrat principle. It is good government and we should embrace and promote it at every opportunity. Jenny Brown Lower Merion Township Commissioner, Ward 2