A Call for Accountability in Local Government

In any functioning democracy, transparency is not merely a courtesy—it is a cornerstone of good governance. Citizens have a right to know how their local government operates, how decisions are made, and how their tax dollars are spent. This is why the recurring delays and omissions in the posting of the Town Manager’s reports in Cape Charles should concern every resident. During John Hozey’s tenure, as Town Manager, he posted a very streamlined report that captured just what the town and staff had been up to. Under Rick Keuroglian, the reports have become a mere trickle, coming out once a month if at all.

A Town Council member told the Mirror that compiling the report had become too much of a burden on the town. A burden? Really? How hard is it really? Citizens are just asking for DOGE-style reports. You’re taking taxpayer dollars, just provide five bullet points on what you did last week. Folks are not asking for poetry or a novel; just briefly tell the citizens what you did last week. This is basic accountability.

The Town Manager’s report is a critical tool for civic engagement. It provides residents with updates on ongoing projects, financial matters, personnel decisions, and the general operations of our municipal government. When these reports are posted late—or worse, not posted at all—it creates an information vacuum that undermines public trust and prevents meaningful citizen participation in local affairs.

The pattern of delayed and missing reports is particularly troubling. Town residents should not have to wonder whether they will receive timely information about their government. They should not have to repeatedly request basic documentation that should be readily available. This is not about political differences or policy disagreements—this is about fundamental administrative competence and respect for the public’s right to know.

Some may argue that town management is busy with pressing operational matters and that report writing takes time. While this is certainly true, it misses the point. Transparency is not an optional extra task to be completed when convenient—it is a core responsibility of public service. If the current reporting system is too burdensome, then the system needs to be reformed, not abandoned.

Other municipalities of similar size manage to maintain consistent communication with their residents through regular reports, newsletters, and public updates. Cape Charles should be no different. The technology exists to make this process easier, from simple email updates to posting brief summaries on the town website. What seems to be lacking is not capability, but commitment.

The consequences of poor communication extend beyond mere inconvenience. When residents are kept in the dark about town operations, rumors fill the void left by facts. Mistrust grows. Civic engagement declines. Important issues may not receive the public scrutiny they deserve because residents simply do not have the information they need to participate meaningfully in town affairs.

This is also a matter of accountability. The Town Manager serves at the pleasure of the Town Council, which in turn serves at the pleasure of Cape Charles residents. When basic reporting expectations are not met, it raises questions about oversight. Is the Town Council holding the Town Manager accountable for consistent communication? Are there consequences for failing to meet basic transparency standards? These are questions our elected representatives need to answer.

The solution is straightforward: establish clear expectations for when reports will be posted, ensure they are posted on schedule, and implement accountability measures when deadlines are missed. The Town Council should require monthly reports to be submitted and made publicly available within a specific timeframe—perhaps within five business days of each council meeting. If this deadline cannot be met, an explanation should be provided to the public.

Cape Charles is a wonderful community with engaged residents who care deeply about their town. We deserve a local government that values transparency and makes good-faith efforts to keep the public informed. Timely, consistent Manager’s reports are not too much to ask. They are the bare minimum we should expect from those entrusted with managing our town.

It is time for the Town of Cape Charles to recommit itself to the principle that government works best when it works in the open, with full transparency and accountability to the people it serves.

About the Author

Wayne Creed

Administrator

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