Two separate articles in Sunday’s “Compass” demonstrate the Norfolk’s disinterest in open government.
First there was Steven Vegh’s piece about the school board. That body has adopted a policy of no dissention.
The new norms, approved by consensus, stipulate that “once we reach a decision or compromise as a board, we will each support the decision in word and deed. The chair (or vice-chair as appropriate) will speak as the official voice of the board.”
At least one member of the appointed school board gets it: Karen Jones Squires.
“[I]t would be absurd if I suddenly have an epiphany – ‘I’m supporting the board’s discussion’ – without becoming an automaton that has no mind,” she said.
That another member didn’t says a whole lot about what group think can do. New board member Linda Horsey saw nothing wrong. Of course, she is the same board member who, when made aware that emails were subject to Freedom of Information requests, said that hers would be “few and scarce.”
Further proof that it’s time for an elected school board, accountable to the people.
Then there was Harry Minium’s article about the mayor asking council to stop leaking information to him. Mimium explains why he asks members about what is discussed in closed session.
Under Virginia’s Open Meetings Act, the council is only supposed to talk about sensitive legal, financial or personnel issues.
However, at times, the council chooses to debate matters of great public interest in private.
Put another way, council is talking about things in closed session that aren’t covered under the Act. Maybe the initial reason for going into closed session is covered, but once they get in, other things are discussed.
My question is simple: what are these people afraid of? That the public cannot handle full and open disclosure? If so, why not give it a try and see what happens?
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Openness and transparency should be the rule in government, not the exception.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Hopefully Karen was misquoted and said “[I]t would be absurd if I suddenly have an epiphany – ‘I’m supporting the board’s decision’ – without becoming an automaton that has no mind,”, not “discussion”.
Thoughtful disagreement on a board is not a bad thing, and acceptance of the will of the majority, can be difficult, but for the good of all, that acceptance is important. If that happens with me, I hope the majority is correct.
I hope both Steven and Harry are able to maintain contact with their “moles” 🙂
Wait – are you saying you agree that dissention should be silenced?
Nope, this “policy” addresses after a decision is made the board is looking for the public support. The quote from Karen addressed the “discussion” not the decision. I think a good board member should be supportive of a decision made, but shouldn’t hold tongue if asked his opinion.
Um, perhaps you need to go back and read what Karen said:
I think it’s pretty clear that she is referring to the time after the decision has been made.
And “being supportive” of a decision with which you disagree is disengenuous. I see nothing wrong with saying “the board decided XXX, but I disagree.”
Of course, that’s not going to happen because she can’t speak, anyway.
Silencing disagreement, even when the majority thinks otherwise, is a slippery slope. Think about it in the historical context of massive resistance.
we’ll agree to disagree on the being supportive of a decision the board makes. I think you can be supportive without being disengenous.
But we’ll agree to agree that it is one’s right to speak his mind after the decision.
Wow, I had no idea that the city council was Norfolk’s version of the Skull & Bones society….secret handshakes, secretative meetings….
I’m glad Minium is actually reporting on what is going on, otherwise Norfolk would be kept in the dark.
It’s sad the school board has adopted a policy of no dissention…this shows more than even we need to get the appointed puppets out of there and have an elected school board.
Agreed.