Transparency

Government transparency applies to a lot of topics.  It can be as simple as letting us citizens know what our city government is doing and how our tax dollars are being spent.  The City of Elizabethtown has multiple projects underway throughout the year such as sidewalk construction, storm water improvements, upgrades to our parks, and sanitary sewer replacements.  Rather than providing one long post with updates of multiple projects during an election year, a short post covering one project could be provided every few weeks.

An example is the Harvard Drive Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project.  The City Council awarded a $701,199 contract in March 2025 to replace the sewer mains along Harvard Drive, some of its side streets, and a portion of Yale Drive.  The project was necessary to eliminate sewer backups in the basements of homes in the area.  Most of the project was completed in 2025, but a problem with the project’s design resulted in the portion on Yale Drive being delayed until this year.  It has now been completed.

I knew about this project because I live on Yale Drive.  Citizens who don’t live in or travel through this neighborhood were unaware of these improvements.  That’s a large expenditure the City should make us aware of.  

Projects like this are investments in our community.  The City should be proud of them and should be happy to share information about them with us.  A short paragraph or two and a picture are all it would take. 

If I am elected to City Council, I will push for much greater sharing of information so you know where your tax dollars are going. 

Follow me on Facebook @JimShawEtown for updates.