EDITORIAL – Cast aside cowardice and timidity in leadership

“Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government.” – Jeremy Bentham.

That quote is as relevant today as it was when Jeremy Bentham said it.

Born in 1748, Bentham was an English philosopher, economist, jurist and social reformer. He’s often described as the founder of modern utilitarianism and during his life championed prison reform, animal welfare, decriminalization of same-sex relationships, the abolition of slavery, equal rights for women, divorce rights, universal suffrage, freedom of expression and the separation of church and state.

His ideas may have been on the fringe during his lifetime, (he died at 84 in 1832), and they still seem to be hard to grasp for many in society.

But it’s his quote about secrecy that is something all councillors and trustees should take into account as the election fades into memory and they get down to the business of governing.

In the Southeast we have a wide range of municipalities and school divisions who practice accountability and transparency in different ways.

We have boards and councils who show integrity and courage every day, making clear decisions in the public eye, and then taking the time to explain those decisions and take responsibility for them to local media and the public at large.

But we also have boards who quite frankly do the opposite.

They attempt to sneak new bylaws or rules onto a meeting’s agenda, keep the details from the public until the final reading takes place and will under no circumstances be available to media or the public to defend or explain those decisions.

This is the challenge that incoming trustees and councillors must embrace.

They must make a conscious decision to be courageous, honest and forthcoming.

Take the City of Steinbach for instance.

This is a council that hides nothing.

At the time of first reading, they share the details of the motion.

Both administration and councillors themselves will take the time to explain their words and actions, even if they know the result may be unpopular.

We have just seen the retirement of two councillors, Michael Zwaagstra and Jac Siemens.

Both are very different individuals who don’t always agree on the next course of action.

Yet both stood strong for their convictions, patiently explaining their motivations not just to fellow councillors but to ratepayers and local media.

And the rest of the council is the same.

It can’t always be fun to put up with the questions of local media, or the endless parade of residents who don’t hesitate to email, text, call or visit them regarding a variety of issues.

Yet they understand that accountability and transparency are essential to the job.

On the other side of the spectrum unfortunately, has been Hanover School Division.

The board of trustees shows timidity and cowardice not seen anywhere else in the province.

During the last term they deliberately introduced motions without explaining them. They ignore many media requests, because they’re either too scared to explain themselves, or too arrogant to realize they are accountable to voters.

Trustees have also hidden behind board rules through ignorance or deliberate dishonesty by claiming they are not allowed to talk to media.

The truth is individual trustees and councillors are not allowed to speak to media on behalf of the entire board or council. They are allowed to explain their own voting decisions.

But the beautiful aspect of a new election, new boards and new councils is that in many ways the slate is swept clean.

Each individual trustee and councillor can embrace honesty and transparency, cast aside arrogance and come into the position with the appropriate amount of humility.

This is a proven recipe for not only an open and transparent governing body, but one that is effective as well.

One doesn’t have to agree with a decision to respect the decision makers.

If the process is open and transparent, the people involved are honest and take the time to explain, that respect is assured.

Those entering a council like Steinbach’s have a template to follow, and one that they can embrace.

For those entering a school board like Hanover’s, it’s up to them to make change, one trustee at a time.

It’s really a simple formula, one that takes just a little bit of courage.

If anyone in government finds they don’t dare defend or explain their own decisions, it means either that they know they made the wrong one and can’t defend the indefensible, or they simply shouldn’t be in a leadership position.

The truth is, how each individual handles themself on a council shows who they really are.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

That’s still true today.

The Southeast is fortunate to have so many able people step forward in leadership.