The city appointed integrity commissioner will be a welcomed change from just talking about transparency and accountability, says Mark Signoretti, the incumbent councillor in Ward 1.
“I fully realize that I am sounding like a cliché right now, but I entered local politics to give back to my community,” Signoretti writes. “I was raised always to be honest, selfless, empathetic, and accountable for my actions. It is these qualities that guide me in my work as a public servant.
“That being said, I do not wear rose coloured glasses, and I accept that I am not perfect, and that as a city councillor, there will be times when I, and the council as a whole are criticized, and that is alright.”
City government should take transparency and accountability seriously, he writes, they shouldn't just be “buzzwords.”
“I have been very vocal at council when I felt that full disclosure of city spending was not taking place,” Signoretti writes. “I am so looking forward to the city appointed integrity commissioner beginning his work on Dec. 1.”
He said Robert Swayze’s extensive expertise in this area will provide an avenue for a strong code of conduct for city council and employees to be put in place and administered strictly.
“If there are rumours of wrongdoings, he will help dispel them. Equally as important, accusations of illegality, dishonestly, and wastefulness that are proven factual will be dealt with stringently.”
Full text of Signoretti's release:
I fully realize that I am sounding like a cliché right now, but I entered local politics to give back to my community. I was raised always to be honest, selfless, empathetic, and accountable for my actions. It is these qualities that guide me in my work as a public servant. That being said, I do not wear rose coloured glasses, and I accept that I am not perfect, and that as a city councillor, there will be times when I, and the council as a whole are criticized, and that is alright.
The mayor, city councillors, and our staff are, and should be, held to a higher standard. The Corporation of the City of Greater Sudbury operates mainly on hard-earned property tax dollars, and some funding from the upper levels of government. We are caretakers of the city, and should be accountable to the taxpayer. We must be transparent and open in terms of our spending practices. Transparency, accountability, and openness should not just be buzzwords, but must be reality. I have been very vocal at council when I felt that full disclosure of city spending was not taking place.
I am so looking forward to the city appointed Integrity Commissioner beginning his work on Dec. 1, 2018. Robert Swayze’s extensive expertise in this area will provide an avenue for a strong code of conduct for city council and employees to be put in place and administered strictly. If there are rumours of wrongdoings, he will help dispel them. Equally as important, accusations of illegality, dishonestly, and wastefulness that are proven factual will be dealt with stringently.
If I am given the privilege once again to serve as Ward 1 councillor, I will work closely with Mr. Swayze, and the next council, to help build the trust of our citizenry, and in our local government. The appointment of an integrity commissioner for Greater Sudbury is a strong step forward in achieving our goal of producing a tangible culture of accountability, transparency, and openness at city hall. The time has come to stop talking the talk, but instead we must walk the walk.
