GOP: Open Government Sets Town Apart

To the editor:

So far, we have highlighted some of the accomplishments the Republican-led Township Committee has achieved over the last few years. But this week, instead of highlighting accomplishments, we would like to share with you what sets Hillsborough apart from so many other municipalities—our open and transparent government.

The most important part of having an open government is ensuring that residents have access to government officials, and are allowed to participate early and often during all parts of the governing process. As we both have served on the Planning Board, we both can personally attest to the open nature of our planning process. Residents receive notification of all new projects, and the Board gives them every opportunity to comment, and to influence beneficial changes. When new zoning is proposed, we have notification rules that far exceed the minimum requirements established by the State—we give residents the opportunity to comment on new zoning proposals before they even go to the Township Committee. We never forget that we are residents too—and so we strive to make our fellow residents a part of the process, so we can make all projects and zoning as beneficial as possible to the community.

Hillsborough also has eliminated no-bid contracts, and follows the fair and open competitive bidding process for professional services. This process results in the Township receiving formal proposals, per State guidelines, on all relevant services. We also undertake a rigorous evaluation methodology for these types of proposals, so we can ensure that we receive the best possible services, combining quality and efficiency.

Having an open government also requires that we provide our residents with as much information as possible—a rigorous, but necessary task. The township website has all public documents and meeting videos posted, along with all sorts of news and announcements. Ordinances are available to see at any time, and there are links to our full municipal code. In addition, as technology has advanced, so have our ways of distributing township information. We provide up to the minute information when possible through our Twitter accounts, and additional emergency information is distributed via Nixle services. Furthermore, the township has an award-winning e-newsletter, available to all residents, which it is distributed regularly to subscribers.

Open government also requires open access to municipal services. Many of our departments now have evening hours, so that all residents can conduct their business with the township on a schedule that fits their needs.  We also offer weekend inspections by the Building Department, and on-line sign-up for recreation programs, eliminating the long lines of the past. These are the important values and methods that are needed to ensure an open and transparent government. We both believe in these values, and as new technologies emerge, we both will work to implement even better methods to communicate with and serve our residents.

If you would like to learn more about us and our platform, please visit our campaign website,www.HillsboroughGOP.com.

Mayor Gloria McCauley

Doug Tomson