Time to clear the air
Transparency is an overused word to describe an underused concept. That’s how it has seemed ever since governing officials and their constituents began to demand more of it in recent years.
Yet, despite these pledges of more openness, the flow of information from authorities to the public has been increasingly managed to prevent the public from misunderstanding the information it receives and to protect it from the generally inept press. That’s how they explain it, anyway.
But that’s not it how works, considering that the greater purpose of information management is to ensure that officials aren’t embarrassed by uncomfortable news.
Which brings us to the latest imbroglio in Ocean Pines. Whatever occurred between former Operational Logistics Director Colby Phillips and the board is subject to speculation.
One suspects — or speculates — that behind-the-scenes machinations to discourage her career advancement within the Ocean Pines Association were part of the problem. The question of her qualifications, however, is not the issue. It is how the situation was or might have been handled.
Apparently, at least two members of the board believe that whatever occurred was serious enough to consider removing another member from his post. Even so, no one, except the parties involved know what transpired or why.
Maybe the truth of it will come out during the yet-to-be-scheduled board meeting on one member’s future, but that will require the board to stop worrying about hurt feelings, “personnel issues” and the possibility that the public might misunderstand.
It already misunderstands, because it substitutes what it’s inclined to believe for what it doesn’t know. Now at risk is not the fate of one person, or one or two directors, but the public’s trust in the board overall. The damage done by speculation has to be repaired.
As Director Frank Daly said this week, “We are not the Central Intelligence Agency. This cloak of secrecy that ties hands is extremely unfair … to the community and … the people involved.”