Meanwhile, back to Question A. That’s the one that would establish an Independent Office of Inspector General. It’s on the November ballot in Howard County. Back in July I put out a call for an explanation that would be easily comprehensible to someone without a lot of prior knowledge:
Second, with the recent forward movement on an Inspector General in Howard County, I am looking for someone who can explain the entire process to people who have no background knowledge. You know, as in the request, “Explain it to me like I’m in kindergarten.” I don’t mean to suggest that my readers are dummies. Far from it. But I think that people who are intensely “in the know” sometimes forget that not everyone is.
Coincidentally, the Baltimore Banner published this piece in September.
4 things to know about Howard County's inspector general ballot measure, Abby Zimmardi
It’s pretty darned good, although it still assumes some prior knowledge that many folks don’t have.
I’m coming back to this today because I’ve seen a line of thinking about this topic taking shape on social media that concerns me. It’s appears that there’s a chunk of people out there who are pushing for the Inspector General position pretty much because they don’t like the people currently holding office in county government.
No, let me be blunt. They think that the County Executive is the root of all evil and that everything that is wrong with the county stems from him. To that end, they are agitating for an Inspector General because they believe that it is somehow possible to be the elected executive in Howard County and magically give away big bags of cash* to one’s friends.
They are looking for an Inspector General to validate their personal/political animus.
Not enough money for schools? It couldn’t possibly be because we need to raise revenue. No, they are sure that an Inspector General will magically find that money piled up in the George Howard Building somewhere, waiting to be doled out like so many goody bags at a child’s birthday party.
I remain torn about Question A but there’s one thing I am absolutely certain about: that is a terrible reason to establish an Inspector General.
It’s absolutely possible to disagree with the priorities of elected officials. Those priorities certainly steer decisions involving money. If you don’t agree with those priorities, elect a candidate whose views you can wholeheartedly support.
- Find an excellent candidate
- Get them elected
It’s both a facile and irresponsible act to claim that leaders you do not agree with are, by default, crooks.
I know that there are many sincere and dedicated folks who support Question A and are working hard for its passage. I do not want to paint all supporters with the same brush. Those folks want to see an Inspector General use ethical investigative methods to examine and understand the workings of County Government.
What happens when that collides with the view that the Inspector General is there purely to go after the people that some residents don’t like? I don’t think that’s going to end well. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump for those people to turn the accusations against the Inspector General’s office for being “bought off” or “in on the corruption.” The loudest supporters for an Inspector General could become its biggest detractors in a heartbeat.
It’s not a reason to dismiss Question A out of hand but, boy, does it ever leave a bad taste in my mouth.
*metaphorically speaking
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