I noticed in the News Tribune that teachers' contracts in the Fargo/
Moorhead area were reviewed by residents who would be affected by their acceptance or rejection ("Minnesota schools must share terms of tentative contract agreements, opinion says," May 25).
Perhaps we in Duluth should adopt this practice, too, when it comes to public employees. Perhaps then we wouldn't find out after the fact we pay some city of Duluth workers time-and-a-half for just being able to be called for work.
This could be extended to other contracts paid for with public funds. By publishing these items in the News Tribune, we would be able to review what is going on and relay to our City Council representatives what our views are on the issues. This would create more openness and a greater participation in the governmental process.
In this era of cynicism of government et al, the voters would have more information as to the issues and who will benefit from the acceptance of city, school board and county involvements in the contracting field. This is not intended to delay or complicate the process but is to have the barbs taken off the little fish hooks in the wording of contracts, etc.
ADVERTISEMENT
Orson R. Lee
Duluth
