Concerned Citizens of West Mayfield

Civics

Essays and Thoughts on Local Government, Citizen Democracy, and Civics

Citizens' Democracy Audit

Our Local Government Must . . .

Follow the Law, Borough Code, Ordinances

Hold Proper Public Meetings

Conduct Open & Transparent Business

Keep & Provide Access to Public Records

Respond to Citizens' Concerns

CITIZEN’S OVERSIGHT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
A type of audit that we think is as important as any other ensures that local government is being managed according to principles and best practices of good governance: it’s called the citizens’ democracy audit.
 
We start by paying closer attention to how our local government conducts business in accordance with the law, democratic ethics, and respect for the interests and well-being of citizens first and foremost.  Local government should be open and transparent so that citizens can understand its workings to ensure that nothing illegal, unethical, or self-serving is happening in the name of the people or with taxpayers’ money.
 
We citizens have Constitutional and statutory power protecting our right to oversee local government activities (think of the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech and the press, and our state’s Right-To-Know Law and Sunshine Act). We have a right–an obligation, really–to concern ourselves with the workings of local government, including publicly examining how it functions and critiquing the performance and actions of our elected officials, appointed officers, and others who serve the public.
WE ARE DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
We encourage the citizens of West Mayfield to become active auditors of democracy. We have more than enough tools and resources to do it–the CCWM public forum being one of them.

CCWM Civics Video Series

Concerned Citizens of West Mayfield produces a civics video series for the benefit of the community. Our goals is to record public meetings of government (regular and special council meetings) and citizens’ meetings (town halls, informative workshops, and other forums about our community’s issues and concerns). 

Check out our recordings of government public meetings on our Good Governance page.

Click the playlist tab to view the video playlist

Town Hall Meetings

Citizen Workshops

Penn State Extension Video Series on Civics

Penn State Extension connects Pennsylvanians from all walks of life to expert researchers dedicated to solving real-world challenges and improving quality of life. Our educators and scientists deliver practical, unbiased, science-based learning solutions to enhance your health, home, business, community and environment.  Learn where, when and how you want. Always an education innovator, Penn State Extension offers a variety of programming in person, online and at your location.    With offices in all 67 counties, we customize services to local needs. Statewide program teams provide focused, in-depth expertise in issues affecting people across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Click the playlist tab to view the video playlist