Proactive Leadership Means Real Transparency

When Mayor Brett Jones first campaigned, he promised transparency. That word sounded good on the campaign trail, and many of us hoped it would mean open government, modern communication, and easy access to information. Unfortunately, the reality has been very different.

For years, Tallapoosa residents had no consistent way to follow what their government was doing unless they could physically attend council meetings. Meetings weren’t live-streamed, recordings weren’t archived, and information wasn’t shared in ways that met people where they are. For busy parents, shift workers, seniors, or anyone with scheduling conflicts, this meant being shut out of the process. That’s not transparency — that’s exclusion.

And here’s what makes it even more frustrating: the city has had the capability to live stream and archive meetings since COVID. The technology exists and has been used before. The choice not to use it has nothing to do with ability — it’s about priorities.

It wasn’t until after I launched my campaign — with a website, social media, and open lines of communication — that his campaign finally set up a Facebook page. But let’s be honest: that’s not proactive leadership. That’s reaction. And reactionary leadership never moves a city forward.

Proactive vs. Reactive Leadership

• Reactive leadership waits until someone else sets the standard, then scrambles to catch up.

• Proactive leadership sets the standard from the start, anticipating needs and building solutions before problems grow.

Tallapoosa needs a mayor who is proactive — who doesn’t wait for an election challenge before deciding it’s important to communicate with residents. Transparency should not be a campaign-season talking point. It should be the everyday practice of a government that respects its people.

My Commitment to Transparency

From the beginning of my campaign, I have committed to doing things differently:

• Live-streaming and recording council meetings so residents can watch them on their own schedule.

• Archiving those videos online so no one ever feels left out.

• Maintaining an active online presence so updates are timely, accessible, and easy to find.

• Open lines of communication – I give people several ways to reach me, whether by phone, text, email, or social media posts. And I make it a priority to respond within 24 hours. That’s how government should work — accessible, responsive, and accountable.

  
  

These aren’t flashy promises; they are simple, practical steps that make government more open and accountable. They show respect for the time and voices of our community.

Tallapoosa deserves a mayor who leads from the front, not one who plays catch-up. Leadership is about being proactive — and that’s the kind of leadership I’m offering.

Joe Glass - "The Clear Choice for Responsible Family-Focused Growth"