Cameron Runyan’s 3 Point Open Government Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
CONTACT: Cameron Runyan, 803-422-4895
NEWS RELEASE
Runyan Calls for Accountable Change
Council Candidate Wants Openness, Citizen Involvement in City Government
Columbia, SC – Columbia City Council (At-Large) Candidate Cameron Runyan continued his campaign for accountable change this morning by calling for more openness in city government.
In the spirit of March Madness, Runyan announced his three-point plan to add accountability, openness, and citizen involvement in Columbia’s city government.
Runyan stated, “I’m running for City Council to bring a voice to Columbia’s citizens. Currently, the good ol’ boy closed door system at City Hall enables the status quo to remain stagnant. I’ve learned that sunshine is the best disinfectant for government. Frankly, it’s time to open the curtains at City Hall and let the sun shine through and onto our city’s government.”
Runyan continued, “All across the city, people are filling out their brackets in the spirit of March Madness. All I ask is that when they view the April 1st City Council bracket, they take a hard look at my campaign for accountable change. Today, I announced my Three Point Plan for Openness and I am ready to get to work to score a victory for Columbia’s citizens and taxpayers.”
Runyan’s Three Point Plan for Openness includes:
48 HOUR RULE:
Stagnant Status Quo: Council provides favors to friends with little accountability by acting on action items not found on a meeting’s agenda until just minutes before council meetings.
Runyan’s Reform: Council Agenda must be published, made public and firmly set at least 48 hours before all Council Meetings, with a provision made for exceptions in emergency situations.
21st CENTURY COMMUNICATIONS:
Stagnant Status Quo: Channel 2 loops meetings without an announced schedule and there is no searchable archive of video. While minutes are supposed to be uploaded, the most current minutes date back to 2007. Citizens must fill out forms and wait days to view legislation their city government passed.
Runyan’s Reform: Place all council minutes, agendas, and ordinances in a searchable database online in addition to live streaming of Channel 2 and a video archive of council meetings. Minutes, Agendas, and Ordinances should be uploaded within 24 hours of their announcement.
OPEN DOORS:
Stagnant Status Quo: City Council meets in the morning when it is difficult for citizens with jobs to attend.
Runyan’s Reform: Move Council meetings to the evenings when citizens are better able to attend council meetings and take a more active role in their city’s government
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Paid for by the Community to Elect Cameron Runyan
March 19, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I would suggest that Cameron visit the City website at http://www.columbiasc.net. There he would find minutes going back to the year 2000. ALso, I have been to several of CIty Council’s evening meetings, maybe Cameron would go to one and see they really do meet sometimes at night. (Note: They are as boring at night as they are on Channel 2!)
March 20, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Jeremy -
If you looked at the city’s website, you would note that they have minutes from 2000-2007 but absolutely nothing from 2008.
Then again, if you read the release, you would note that Cameron pointed out:
Stagnant Status Quo: Channel 2 loops meetings without an announced schedule and there is no searchable archive of video. While minutes are supposed to be uploaded, the most current minutes date back to 2007. Citizens must fill out forms and wait days to view legislation their city government passed.
and
the night meetings are the exception to the rule and what Cameron wants to do is make day meetings the exception and night meetings the norm.
Thanks for the comments and your concerns about Columbia.
ColaFacts.