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Hillsborough's chamber of secrets

It speaks to her appeal and lack of regard for the democratic process that Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms would pervert the state's open-government laws to push her backward political agenda. As the St. Petersburg Times' Bill Varian detailed in a story Monday, Storms is one of several commissioners who has kept colleagues and the public in the dark before springing serious issues before the board.

Secrecy works. Keeping opponents off-guard can pave the way to pass an otherwise unattractive agenda. But the tactic undermines Florida's open government laws that aim to involve the public more fully in decisions shaping their community and state. In Hillsborough, significant topics from gay rights and health care to bus service are increasingly hidden on meeting agendas in language that serves to downplay the significance of the debate. The reason for advance notice in Florida is so the public can attend meetings, react, mobilize and shape political decisions. Asked why she was not more transparent, so the public could argue policy, Storms told the Times: "Why should I do that? I'm trying to achieve the things I want to have happen . . . I'm trying to achieve a goal."

This focus on winning denies the public a seat at the table. And by not hearing contrary views, commissioners lose the chance to engage in informed debate. The board blocked an attempt by Storms to schedule a half-baked referendum on buses. It also put the brakes on Commissioner Brian Blair's call to privatize county health services. But the practice of disguising discussions hurts the commission's credibility. It's bad enough the professional staff caved amid recent attacks on civil rights and social programs. Now even commissioners enter debates cheapened by confusion and mistrust. "Not knowing what the issue is about, you're at a disadvantage," Commissioner Tom Scott said. "You're kind of shooting from the hip."

Gotcha-governing leads to bad policy - and it shows.

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 01:09:20]