I’ve got a Secret!

Many of us Baby Boomers remember the show “I’ve got a Secret”, where a panel of celebrities had to guess a person’s secret.

Well let’s look at today’s local governments “I’ve got a Secret”.

A government that ran on a Transparency campaign and a administration member that has stated in an open meeting that they are “Transparent, ethical “in their handling of City funds.

At a recent Common council meeting a question was asked about $190,000 in Grant money awarded to the Police. Department, The Mayor was heard saying “that was last year”. The other members of the Government were quiet on the matter, also the main member of the administration was also quiet. A request was made to have such awards reported at a public meeting and voted on by the Common Council and moved into the respected account, not kept a secret. The mayor’s answer was he would check with NYCOM for guidance on the matter. The other member of the Administration may have said that a FOIL quest may be made, or anyone could come down to the office and view the records.

Also let’s look at the reporting of monies received monthly by the City Clerks office. Every month the City Clerk reports an amount of money received during the past month. This is all well and good but what departments are generating this revenue stream should be revealed in a truly TRANPARENT administration. The amount each department generated should be reported not just a total amount. Now if asked at a meeting the mayor more than likely will say he has to check with NYCOM for advice on the issue.

Nobody is questioning the honesty of anyone, only that TRANSPARENCY be performed aa promised.

Now let’s look at NYCOM, and see what NYCOM stands for: New York Conference of Mayors, it is a PRIVATE NON-PROFIT, it has NO power it is an advisory agency, giving it’s members non-legal answers to questions. They will state what the law says, no more than that. Just because the law will say what you are required to do. They may say that you are not required to report that information or not required to allow that action, doesn’t mean you can’t.

Only giving advice on laws. Please don’t think that they have any power.

With all this being said, why “I’ve got a secret” on City of Fulton’s revenue sources?

Let the people know ,they deserve to know.

Frank Castiglia

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