Sunshine laws are those that require government meetings and documents be open and accessible to the public. Today the candidates weigh in on this issue and answer these questions: What is your philosophy of government openness? What is your philosophy on the role of the public in governance and the business of Community Services?
For more information about Sunshine laws and public access to government, including the “Sunshine Pledge”, visit Californians Aware’s website.
Clive Finchamp
(Sunshine Pledge Signed)
Rich Davega
I believe in total transparency. The only exception should be personnel matters that are protect by privacy laws. I believe that the “sense of the community” should be measured on all important matters. The Board serves at
the pleasure of the voters and is the vehicle for providing guidance and oversight to the CCSD. The public should always be able to provide input to the Board on their wishes so that the Board can act accordingly. I also
support the establishment of committees on key matters with community membership and Board member “office hours” between the official public meetings so that citizens/ratepayers can openly discuss issues/concerns outside of the more formal process at the CCSD public meetings.
(Sunshine Pledge Signed)
Ilan Funke-Bilu
The foundation of our government is transparency and openness. When curtains shade the government from its people , not only will government lose its trust and confidence, but it will inexorably lead to its demise.
Yet, our government operates under a balanced approach that mediates the interests of openness with the interest of efficient governmental management which benefits the people as well. For example, interest groups, certain selfish individuals, and other social cancers, can, if allowed, convert openness into a poisoned pill. That is why our laws allow for limited restraints on transparency. For example, no reasonable person would urge that our United States Attorney General bare all of its investigative files in the name of openness. Similarly, our state laws provide protection for Districts by creating the closed session procedures, or Freedom of Information Act procedures.
I recognize that our recent history has revealed a stress between our government and some of its people. As a Director, I have tried to bring our community together, in public and behind the scenes. If we truly believe that we live in a beautiful place, then we must respect our neighbors and we must, therefore, learn to civilly disagree without name calling and pointing fingers as though we live in some ugly , huge metropolitan area where beauty was lost a long time ago.
(Sunshine Pledge Signed)
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Last 5 posts by Amanda Rice
- Gail Robinette Chosen to Complete DeMicco's Term as CCSD Director on Unanimous Vote
- California Coastal Commission Unanimously Denied Army Corps Desal Tests
- Cambria CSD Agenda for November 27, 2011 Meeting Includes Water Conservation & New Tank Project
- Sunken Oil Tanker Off Cambria's Coastline Will Be Checked Again Soon
Ilan Funke-Bilu states above: “I recognize that our recent history has revealed a stress between our government and some of its people.”
THIS IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM!!! The current board members actually believe this statement. The directors should be informed that it is hardly “Some” of the residents. The reality, shown by the last two Prop 218 votes revealed that at least 50% of the residents have “stress” with CCSD. This number is probably much higher as many residents are afraid of some sort of retaliation from the CCSD if they were to speak out against the CCSD. They are afraid of litigation against them which they can not afford to defend themselves against. THIS IS THE REALITY, and it is terrible and frightening that the some residents of Cambria feel this way. It is obviously apparent that the CCSD is not really in touch with the majority of the community.