Holy Blogosphere!

Sunlight Weekly Roundup: "The right of the people to know what their government is doing is fundamental to democracy”

"Bridget Todd
March 16, 2012

California Councilwoman Teresa Barth recently wrote an open letter publicizing her support for increased government transparency. In the letter, Barth maintains that Encinitas, California needs stronger transparency laws. She writes, “At the June 10, 2009 City Council meeting, I proposed a citizen’s task force to work with staff to craft a Sunshine Ordinance for Encinitas. My colleagues said the city was already in compliance with existing laws and a Sunshine Ordinance was not necessary. I believe we should set a higher goal. We should strive to do the 'Best Not the Least.'" She urges all citizens to tell the city council to support a Sunshine Ordinance. She argues, “The right of the people to know what their government is doing is fundamental to democracy.” For the whole story, check out her post on Coast News."

Holy Blogosphere! Our very own Mayor in Exile, Teresa Barth, was recognized by a state-wide blog for her fierce support for government transparency and it makes us proud. The pride is for a lot of things like advocacy for open government, like her constant reminders to her colleagues that 21st century tools, technology and challenges must be incorporated into the city’s rules and processes; like listening to all the voices around the state, the coastal cities next door and the city neighborhoods and for keeping up with bloggers, Facebook connections, local events and organizations.

Last week she featured the blogosphere in her weekly newsletter and it’s with real gratitude we honor her today as a champion of the young, of change and 21st century tools and above all for paying attention to what matters. By those newsletter links alone Teresa Barth may have opened a world of new communication avenues to people who may never have considered stopping by each day to check what is posted at Encinitas You Need Us blog, Our Mayor blog, Encinitas Undercover blog, Encinitas Taxpayers Association blog or the Leucadia Blog. Barth has inspired the link love here and connections to these blogs named along with Teresa Barth’s website and two great candidates will be located now in the sidebar.

This Sunlight Foundation statewide blog who honored Barth is another really good resource. It will be given some link love too, along with some others we think activists might discover as good sources of information.