Dear
residents of Portsmouth, Virginia,
We
understand that you are concerned about secrecy.
We
– the mayor, city council and the city manager – understand your
concerns.
There
are reasons why we are secretive, but we won't tell you.
There
are reasons why we won't talk to the press, but we won't tell you.
There
are reasons why we will not address your concerns, but we won't tell
you. In fact, we don't plan to explain anything to you.
You
elected us. Now get used to it.
We
will raise taxes when we want, we will hire and fire city staff at
will and we will censure anyone who talks without prior approval.
We
think it is unreasonable and disingenuous for you, the residents to
expect anything more of us or to demand an accounting of what we do.
You
elected us. Live with it.
We
have more important issues to address than poverty, education, crime
and taxes.
We
have a job to do. Your complaints distract us from real issues and
divert attention from the very important issue of running this city.
What
do you expect? Transparency?
We
will not give you transparency, for it would only reveal how the city
is mismanaged and mocked.
We will not reveal our strategies, for we
have no strategies. We react rather than act. Our mission is to
maintain our positions.
If
that interferes with your mundane lives, we suggest that you sell
your home or leave your apartment and go live in another city.
This
is our city. Get out, if you don't like it.
Don't
be alarmed, though. We will make every effort to ensure secrecy in
this city. We will meet behind closed doors one on one. We will raise
taxes without explanation. We will ignore crime. We will ignore
shootings on High Street. We will blow off the media. We will refuse
to hear criticism.
Of
course, all of this – our secrecy, our decisions, our incapacity to
manage – is for your benefit. Believe us. Trust us.
We
don't have your best interests at heart. We rule. Would you rather us
be hypocrites and tell you that your concerns are paramount?
We
think not. So we will be honest with you. We have secrets and we are
not going to disclose them, for that would undermine our authority,
power and prestige.
Rest
assured, whatever we do won't be for your benefit.
We
manage this city.
It
isn't wise to challenge us.
It
isn't judicious to criticize us.
We
live in dangerous times.
If
it weren't for so many critics, the city of Portsmouth
would prosper, taxes would drop and crime would disappear.
If
it weren't for your complaints, we would get something done in this
city.
So
don't ask us to comment. Don't ask us to go public. Don't ask us to
explain every decision. Because
we are not going to do it.
We
certainly hope this letter explains our culpability.
Regards
Portsmouth
Mayor and City Council Members
Portsmouth
City Manager