An important part of any effective and efficient governmental unit is an informed public.

As elected officials, we try to keep in mind that what we are doing is the public’s business. Our staff members, as county employees, are always to keep in mind that they are accountable for the most efficient use of the taxpayers’ dollars.

A large part of that accountability is letting the public know what its county government is doing.

As a board, our county commissioners have tried to make government more user friendly. We are concerned that if you have a problem, or if you need information about something, you should get an answer. Improved communications with the public will make our jobs easier and keep you, the taxpayers, more satisfied with government.

Our staff members are on the front line when it comes to answering questions, and that’s the way it should be. The people who answer the telephone when you call are instructed to be courteous and to try to get the information you want.

Another way we try to keep the public informed is through the county’s home page, which you are viewing now, on the World Wide Web, with its information about county government and its agencies.

The home page is linked to the county departments, all of which try to provide information to make it easier for you to deal with county government. Government should try, as much as possible, to simplify life for its citizens, and not make it more complicated.

Our county staff also issues press releases on various activities to area newspapers, radio stations and television stations. A radio broadcast that airs on area stations discusses a specific topic each week, and we are moving into the area of informational television programs, as well as televising all our regular commission meetings.

All of these efforts have only one goal: to help Caldwell County be as informed as possible about what their county government is doing. We hope you take advantage of each opportunity to read, watch or listen. Click here to send me an e-mail.