Editorial Commentary
Transparency is the bedrock of any Government with Democratic principles. It allows citizens to hold their leaders accountable, participate meaningfully in decision-making, and trust the institutions designed to serve them. However, when government actions lack openness, it undermines public trust and fuels disengagement.
In Vermilion, there’s growing concern about behaviors and practices that erode transparency and accountability in local government. From the frequent use of early executive sessions to the overuse of emergency ordinances, these practices can make citizens feel excluded from the process. When elected officials operate behind closed doors or rush legislation through without proper scrutiny, it raises questions about whose interests are being served.
Why Transparency Matters
Transparency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of a government that works for its people. When officials make decisions openly, it fosters trust, encourages civic engagement, and ensures that policies reflect the community’s needs. However, when government actions are hidden behind closed doors or pushed through without proper scrutiny, it creates a disconnect between leaders and the people they serve. To understand how these practices erode public trust, let’s start by examining the use of early executive sessions in Vermilion.
The Problem with Early Executive Sessions
Executive sessions are meant to handle specific issues, such as personnel matters or legal concerns, that require privacy. However, when these sessions are called early in meetings—before public discourse can take place—they stifle transparency and limit community participation.
Take, for example, the recent early executive session of Vermilion’s City Council to discuss the assistant municipal clerk’s pay and employment conditions. While personnel discussions are a legitimate use of executive sessions, holding them early in a meeting can feel exclusionary to the public. It prevents citizens from hearing the full context or contributing to the discussion before decisions are made.
This isn’t just a one-time issue. The Vermilion Township Board of Trustees recently held an early executive session as well, signaling a broader trend that undermines the principle of open government. These practices, while often legally permissible, risk alienating the very people they’re meant to serve.
The Overuse of Emergency Ordinances
Similarly, the frequent use of emergency ordinances raises red flags. Emergency powers are designed for situations that require immediate action, but in Vermilion, they’re often applied to legislation that doesn’t meet the criteria of an actual emergency. This circumvents public input and thorough deliberation, leaving citizens questioning the motives behind such decisions. Also most importantly, local ordinances passed by emergency are not subject to referendum in Ohio. That robs citizens of their veto power over bad decisions and leadership.
When emergencies are declared too freely, it can feel like an attempt to fast-track decisions without accountability. This undermines the public’s trust and fuels frustration among residents who feel sidelined by their own government.
A Town Divided by Attention
In Vermilion, there is a noticeable divide in how resources and care are distributed between downtown Ward 1 and the other four wards. While downtown enjoys significant attention, many other areas feel left behind. This uneven focus raises questions about priorities and fairness in the town’s decision-making. For example, there seems to be a strong correlation between being a council member and seeing projects in your area, such as road paving or traffic pattern changes, addressed promptly. Meanwhile, residents in less-connected wards have endured decades of neglect—waiting 40 years or more for their roads to be improved while other streets, like Portage Drive, have been repaved twice during that time.
The Contrast in Parks and Public Spaces
This pattern of inequity isn’t limited to infrastructure. Consider the stark difference between Main Street Beach, which has benefited from consistent upgrades and revitalization efforts, and other parks in Vermilion that lack the same level of care and investment. These disparities leave residents in underserved areas asking: What about the rest of us? Why are some parts of our town prioritized while others continue to wait for even basic improvements? All the major parks are currently being addressed at the moment… but Main Street Beach was done first and the cost to renovate dwarfs the other parks’ renovation costs. Yes alot of the money given was privately donated, but the Vermilion taxpayer also paid for a fair portion. The amount of money the taxpayer spent at Main Street Beach is not equitable to the amount spent at Showse and Sherod.
Also Showse went into a great state of disrepair before Ward 4 Councilman Jeff Lucas decided to do what he could and addressed the issue with the Showse Park Revitalization Project. The playground equipment wasn’t removed until a fundraiser for the project was held this Fall and the park got some very much needed attention and scrutiny from the City. They had to scramble to get the park presentable enough for a public event and it took the better part of 2 weeks to do it. We mention this to show the difference in care and condition between the two parks over the last few years.
Bridging the Accountability Gap
Now is the time to act. There has never been a larger gap in accountability than there is today, but that gap can only be filled by citizens like you. This doesn’t just mean showing up to meetings or voting—it also means coming together as a community. Residents of Vermilion must meet with their neighbors, organize within their blocks or wards, and build coalitions to discuss the issues that matter most to their lives. By uniting and collaborating, we strengthen our collective voice and ensure no concern goes unheard.
The 2025 elections will include all seven city council seats and the mayor’s office. As of now, many incumbents face little to no opposition. While it’s still early in the election cycle, this is a call to action for those who care deeply about Vermilion’s future: consider running for office. Your town needs people willing to step forward and fill these critical roles. Whether you’re dissatisfied with how things are being run or you see opportunities to make a positive impact, now is the time to ask yourself: “Could I serve my community?”
Vermilion needs fresh voices, new perspectives, and citizens ready to lead with integrity and accountability. This is a pivotal time to engage, organize, and take action. Whether it’s running for office, encouraging someone else to run, or working together as a community to support new candidates, we all have a role to play in shaping Vermilion’s future.
By attending meetings, speaking up, voting, and even stepping into leadership roles, you can bridge the gap in accountability. This commitment may not yield immediate rewards, but the impact will resonate for years to come. The seeds of change planted today will grow into a thriving vine tomorrow, nourishing Vermilion’s democracy and fostering a government that truly serves its people.
The Time Is Now
As citizens of Vermilion, it’s up to us to ensure our government is transparent, accountable, and representative of the community. That means registering to vote, knowing where your voting precinct is, and showing up for both the 2025 primary and general elections. Attend city council meetings, township trustee meetings, or school board meetings if you have children. Get involved. Speak out. Share what you know with your neighbors.
This isn’t just about addressing the current issues—it’s about building a future where Vermilion’s government works for everyone. The only way to fix the accountability gap is for ordinary people to step up and say, “I will do my part. Your town needs you. The time to act is now.
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”
(Rabindranath Tagore)
