Neighbor News
Candidate Shelia Edwards Shares Plans for Greater Transparency
Commission Candidate Shelia Edwards Shares Plans with the MDJ for Greater Transparency in Government
Hello South Cobb.
The Marietta Daily Journal reached out to me this week to get my thoughts on government transparency and how I would improve it when I am elected as Commissioner for District 4. I wanted to share this information with readers of the South Cobb Patch as well.
Here are excerpts from that article:
Find out what's happening in South Cobbfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mableton resident Shelia Edwards, who operates her own communications and consulting firm, says she has personally fought for access to government information and understands firsthand the importance and power of transparency.
“I utilized this access when I was leading the effort to stop an illegally operating waste station in our community from receiving a SLUP (Special Land Use Permit) from Cobb County to operate their noxious operations legally, which would have included authorization to bring in 500 tons of household waste annually to our community and nearby Chattahoochee River,” Edwards said. “It was access and transparency that allowed me to gather data, provide this empowering information to my community, and work collectively to stop this company.”
Find out what's happening in South Cobbfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Edwards said government information belongs to the people and must be accessible for citizens when requested.
“The government’s response to the coronavirus has shown us that we can no longer justify or mandate that county meetings can only take place within the four walls of the Board of Commissioners meeting room,” Edwards said. “I will push for increased integration of technology and government, which will include the continuation of Zoom BOC meetings to encourage citizen engagement and improve participation from the community.”
She has also committed to holding quarterly town hall meetings in District 4, and to appoint engaged and involved citizens to committees, boards, and commissions in south Cobb.
“Once appointed, I will meet with my appointees on a regular basis for mutual updates, feedback on issues, and to address community concerns and complaints,” Edwards told the MDJ. “I will take all necessary steps to address dysfunction and inactivity on issues of concern to the community and I will ensure that the members of the committees, boards and commissions are functioning for the benefit of the community and not for the benefit of themselves.”
