Letter from Jim: My plan to improve trust and transparency
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters,
My decision to run for City Council is rooted in the love my wife Donna and I have for Ocean City and our deep commitment to public service. Throughout our adult lives we have dedicated time and resources to causes that build great communities. In that spirit, I’d like to share how I will govern if elected.
I am committed to the principles of open governance; transparency, accessibility and public participation. I believe we can do these things better. In the past year, we have seen restrictions imposed on public comment, rushed decisions on spending and board appointments, Council members bringing forward major votes without public notice, conflicts of interest that have gone unaddressed, and residents being told they do not have a seat at the table.
I have a plan to begin to fix these issues and restore real trust, openness, and public engagement in our government.
If elected, I will push for reforms that:
Require Council members to publicly disclose any potential conflicts of interest before decisions, and have clear guidelines for when recusal is necessary.
Require Council members to explain their decisions.
Require full, early public notice of intended City Council votes.
Encourage and respect public engagement in Council proceedings.
A Council member’s independence lets them prioritize the needs of their constituents over the objectives of special interests. In a small town, conflicts—real or perceived—are inevitable: local businesses that would benefit from changes to zoning or regulations; real estate dealings that benefit from developer relationships; personal or financial relationships that could reasonably call their objectivity into question. In these circumstances, Council members and other officials must, at a minimum, disclose these conflicts to the public. And there must be clear thresholds for when they recuse themselves from the process.
I will come onto Council as a fully independent voice, clear of conflicts. My career is not tied to matters in Ocean City. I am not backed by the established political power base. As a Council member, I will maintain my independence, disclose any conflicts, and call on other members of Council to do the same.
Stronger civic engagement strengthens communities, empowers residents, and leads to more responsive government. An open City Council will build trust, improve decision-making, increase accountability, and strengthen the voice of residents.
If you agree, I’d be grateful for your support. Please share this email with friends and neighbors, Follow, Share, and Comment on our Facebook and Instagram posts, consider volunteering, or making a contribution of any size.
Thank you for your continued engagement and for everything you’re doing to help move Ocean City forward.
Yours,