Fighting City Hall From Within: An Ongoing Series VII
Matt Shorraw, Mayor, City of Monessen
Part VII
Transparency, Communication, and Checks and Balances
Since taking office in January 2018, I have tried to provide the public with as much information as possible, even though the information I receive is sometimes limited. While some may argue that my methods could sometimes be better, my main goal has been to inform the public about the inner-workings of Monessen City Government, and the improper actions I continue to find. This is because, if we are to revitalize Monessen, its corruption must come to an end.
To have an effective city government, three things must be true: there must be transparency, communication, and checks and balances.
Transparency
Most communities have cameras installed within them, for security purposes. Monessen is no exception. Our camera system has been very helpful in the past. Our city hall also has cameras inside. This is also normal. However, in the case of the cameras in Monessen city hall, it seems that these cameras are used to monitor certain city employees. They allegedly have audio and video capabilities. If it is the case that these cameras have audio capabilities that are being utilized, this could violate the federal wiretapping law. Also, it seems that the Monessen Police do not have access to all of the cameras, but supposedly members of the city council and private citizens do. Obviously, this is very concerning for numerous security reasons. The city needs these cameras for security, but they aren’t secure.
In September of 2018, I was at City Hall in my office, on a Saturday morning around 9am. I had agreed to meet with two acquaintances, who have a community development company. They asked to meet, so we could discuss potential ideas for Monessen’s revitalization, and they shared with me some ideas that have worked in other communities similar to ours. They asked for a short tour of the Downtown. They left their bags in my office, I locked the door, and we went for a walk. When I returned, Councilman Orzechowski was at city hall, looking at the camera footage with the individual who manages the city’s cameras.
I introduced him to the people I was with, and he insisted that I did not have “council authorization” to be there (in a public building). I told him I did not care, and he stormed off. This was after council telling me that I could be in the building outside of regular business hours. Shortly afterward, council changed the locks and alarm system codes, so I could not enter the city hall, except during business hours (I work during the day). The story of this meeting demonstrates council’s paranoia to have me in a public building, and their commitment to playing “big brother” on anyone they disagree with.
Additionally, in the realm of transparency, I have tried my best to share whatever information I can on Social Media with the city’s residents. At the moment, this is the most effective way to inform residents, even though there are still many people who do not have social media. Hopefully in the future, other ways to effectively share information will emerge, so even more residents can know what is happening on a regular basis; how their tax dollars are being spent, what issues are being addressed, and how they can stay engaged.
Communication
It has become more and more challenging for me to obtain documents and information that I am obligated to review, regardless of council or the city clerk’s feelings toward me. It seems that they are most upset when I share information with the public.
Members of Council complain when I’m informed, when I am copied on emails by other employees or vendors, or when their actions are questioned in any way. As I’ve said, it has become more challenging to obtain this information; however, it is not impossible.
During my tenure, mail addressed to me has been opened, public building access has been limited, money that is owed to vendors and contractors has allegedly been withheld, because of their dislike of me being informed by those same individuals; and even my city email access has been cut off. In other instances, other city departments have noticed other individuals accessing their email accounts without their knowledge.
In my case, I cannot log into my city email account. Initially, I thought I forgot my password; however, upon attempting to reset it, I was informed that a Councilman now had access from the city’s IT company, to reset email account passwords This raises a lot of questions. Members of City Council seem to be acting as gatekeepers to what information gets shared, and who can talk with whom. Fortunately, in my case, I have other ways of speaking with the public, and will continue to do so.
Additionally, there has been no full public transparency for the budget process, board appointments, minutes, agendas, expenditures, solicitor fees, sewage line usage fees, or any other governmental processes. Also, even more disappointingly, an unbiased press has been absent in the midst of most of this.
Checks and Balances
A city, and any government really, functions best when it has proper checks and balances. Lately, Monessen has had a complete lack of checks and balances. The city clerk is supposedly handling both revenues and expenditures. This is side-stepping the elected City Treasurer and the Treasurer’s Office. It opens the door for both intentional and unintentional errors. When the city clerk cites issues and concerns that she has, the council rarely listens to those concerns, yet she could be the one held accountable for their mistakes.
Without checks and balances, it would be easy to hide or misappropriate money or do other improper and unethical things. Not to mention, it just makes for inefficient city government. If the Mayor and Council were to go away tomorrow, they clerical employees should be able to completely carry on with business-as-usual, and keep the city running. That is what an efficient government looks like.
Aside from my attempts at shedding light on city matters, in my view, transparency appears to have nearly vanished. Anytime issues and concerns are raised by myself or anyone in the public, it seems that council gets defensive, and even downright nasty — demeaning the public treating the public and individuals as if they are lesser than them. It’s unfortunate, to say the least.
As we have learned thus far, and to quote George Kent, “you can’t promote principled anti-corruption action without pissing-off corrupt people.”
