Trust in government is hard to earn

BY R. KENNETH BLUH

Last month Miami Today surveyed Miami executives and found them overwhelmingly optimistic about the community's future. However 80 percent of those surveyed felt that the largest inhibitor to business growth was government incompetence, and 69 percent said that the community lacked governmental leadership. The strong multi-ethnic workforce and community location are the driving forces behind their optimism.

On one hand we have government action aimed at bringing ethics back into government and on the other hand we almost daily see new evidence of the shallow respect many government leaders have for the people they govern.

There is no need to enumerate the problems. We hear and read about them almost daily. The latest obviously is the Bayfront Trust -- or should I say lack of trust. Lobbyists have the run of many of our county government departments. Flushing out the bad guys is not going to be easy.

The other day Mayor Alex Penelas wrote a Letter to the Editor complaining that much is said about corruption and little is said about his reforms. He points to such programs as the Ethics Commission and the Inspector General's Office, both of which are doing an excellent job. I can understand

his apprehension -- the community's reaction to the scandals is reflected in poor turnouts of voters at elections. It takes time for good efforts to be recognized and rewarded.

Fortunately, we have many good honest and dedicated elected officials. But they are rarely reported on in the press. I attend the monthly meetings of the League of Cities (made up of representatives of each municipality) and see good government at work. It is going to take years of good government to erase the effects of bad government.

Perception of "bad faith" is shown in a number of areas. When the county decided to update the county charter, six of our 13 county commissioners appointed themselves to the Charter Review Task Force. That in itself is not damaging. What is damaging is the perception that they are afraid of losing control. Why when the problem of lobbyist's influence at the airport is a major concern would a commissioner appoint a lobbyist to the task force? Perception!

The commissioners' fear of losing control at the airport is perceived as protecting their financial interests while in fact it might be as one commission stated, "It is my elected responsibility to govern. That is why I was elected."

Yet the perception is that of retaining control for reasons other than good government.

How the county awards contracts has been the focal point of proposed county ordinances. Mayor Penelas and Commissioner Jimmy Morales have been

the initiators of several ordinances that would shift contract awards to committees made up of representatives of industry nominated by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Beacon Council and other representative organizations in our county.

The mayor stated that the function of the county commission should be the deliberation of policy issues and not the micro-management of awarding contracts (paraphrased). Under the Penelas and Morales proposal, contract selection committees would be created from pools of recommended business leaders.

Commissioner Moss does not favor the concept. He believes that it would dilute the commission's powers. Most commissioners believe that the voters gave them the job and it is their job to perform.

Moss said, "...If we can't do it, then the people can elect someone else."

Commissioner Sorenson said, "...it would be very difficult to tap people who would not have some built-in conflict."

I must admit, to qualify for a contract selection committee you must have a good grasp of the economics of our community. Almost anyone that would qualify for the, I assume "pro bono," jobs have positions in the community that would have some sort of built-in conflict.

County Manager Merrett Stierheim suggested that contract selection committees could be made up of retired business executives. Penelas agreed that "Lobbyists, cam

paign contributors and fundraisers should not sit on contract selection committees."

Why did our elected officials let the problem get to this low level of competence? If government was on the up-and-up this problem would never have raised its ugly head. It is going to take years of "good government" to overcome the perception of "bad government." We didn't make it that way, so don't get upset with us when we demand a restructuring of the whole process.

The latest requirements that call for the deceleration of expenses incurred by lobbyists on each contract deal goes a long way in correcting a grievous ill. Let's make sure we have competent county employees checking the numbers or we will see little correction of an abused procedure. Commissioner Morales proposed that any lobbyist that fundraises for a candidate can not lobby that person if elected. That will slow down the fundraising process and perhaps put the $6,000 a year jobs in perspective.

We are moving in the right direction. Please, during the clean-up process let's pray that no new evidence of corruption rears its ugly head again.

R. Kenneth Bluh may be contacted at PO Box 431219, Miami FL 33243-1219; telephone, 305-271-7593, or fax, 305-595-3945. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Community Newspapers. Your comments are welcomed.