Riverside government transparent

Jane Archer need not look far for transparency in government (“Interest is in government, not personal lives,” Letters, Feb. 11); that is alive and well. Not only is she uninformed, but she further perpetuates the myths spun by the Riverside Community Alliance.

Her letter states that the residents cannot currently be heard or have no access to public meetings or government documents. The facts are as follows:

Board meeting minutes, packets, and budget data has been publicly available at the Riverside Library for years.

Board meetings are broadcast, recorded and rebroadcast for later viewing by the public.

With the advancement of technology and the village’s access to such technology, even greater and more detailed documentation is posted through the village Web site (board packets, budgets, audits, minutes, financials, general announcements, etc.)

For over a decade, the board has assured public input at its regular board meetings. I watch them regularly and will say that no citizen has ever been denied the opportunity to express themselves in a respectful manner.

In fact several times, I have witnessed President Wiaduck managing several citizen outbursts and disruptions, including candidates of the RCA, speaking at will and disrupting the regular deliberations.

I commend the village board for displaying a leadership approach in transparency to the citizens of Riverside. This is not the case in all townships.

The village government’s has also implemented a comprehensive ethics ordinance, which insures that no elected officials, their families, nor employees receive improper benefit from village spending.

Further, to the issue of financial transparency, Riverside has achieved a very exclusive distinction from the Government Finance Officers Association which rewards the highest standards of financial reporting and transparency.

Riverside received a Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting Award from the GFOA for 2007, and has achieved this recognition for 17 times since 1989.

Only 282 of 32,000 municipal townships with a population below 10,000 achieve this certificate, which places Riverside in the top 1 percent.

If the citizens of Riverside seek transparency, honesty and plain talk in government please do not look to the RCA, a party which spins myths and inaccuracies to further their campaign.

The Riverside Party of Smith, Lesniak, Miezio and Navarro will secure transparency building upon these foundations. Furthermore, as technology develops, the Riverside Party will improve upon a system already displaying its commitment to honest, open government.

Maria Cerrone
Riverside