Theron Sanders Sr.: Government needs to be watched by citizens

I strongly agree with the letter “Atwater pulling down the shades of city government” (Page 5A, Nov. 2). By eliminating five commission, and committee meetings a month, the ability of Atwater citizens to communicate and interact with their elected leaders is restricted. A little over two years ago, voters approved Measure H, the safety sales tax increase. It came with the provision that a citizen’s oversight committee would be formed to review, and then approve expenditures to be used solely for public safety.

The committee’s first meeting convened, secretly, in a trailer behind city hall. This was a violation of the California Open Meeting Act. Fortunately, that meeting was abruptly adjourned when Jim Price, now the mayor, vehemently objected to that illegal meeting. Now Mayor Price’s fellow councilmembers must join him and never allow that to happen again. I am aware, in the course of their busy lives, people of Atwater have little time to monitor city leaders. Many husbands and wives must work to make ends meet. They come home exhausted, facing the demands of family. However, government is a pot boiling on the stove – it needs to be watched.

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 12:45 PM with the headline "Theron Sanders Sr.: Government needs to be watched by citizens."