Editorial: Transparency isn't just valuable for bad government actions

A push for transparency is often associated with something people don’t like or don’t want. Something they would protest. Something that feels like a trick.

It shouldn’t be.

Transparency is just as important when it is something everyone agrees is the proper course of action. In fact, it might be more important when it is a run-of-the-mill action or a consensus issue. It makes it clear that asking for openness isn’t antagonistic.

Let’s look at McKeesport.

On Feb. 6, the community’s police department lost one of its own when Officer Sean Sluganski was shot and killed in the line of duty. A second officer was shot and injured.

Police in the department — including Sluganski — were just coming off pulling together with their blue-uniformed brethren to cover shifts for Brackenridge officers taking time off after the shooting death of Chief Justin McIntire in January.

On Feb. 10, Mayor Michael Cherepko sent a memo to the McKeesport payroll clerk authorizing $3,000 bonus payments to every officer “in light of the tragic events.”

It did not happen at a council meeting. There was no announcement that it was happening. McKeesport has a total of 39 officers, from the chief down to the newest, shortest-term part-time officer. The total for the payments comes to $117,000.

Let’s be clear. The payments to officers who could be traumatized by their co-worker’s death is not a misuse of funds. It is empathetic and caring. It acknowledges the fact there is a financial burden to taking time off for self-care in a stressful, emotional situation.

The mayor had the authority, according to the solicitor. The funds were available from pandemic relief money. The stricken community stood solidly behind the police in the wake of Sluganski’s death, and it is unlikely many — if anyone — would have protested the payments.

But there is a clarity to actions that happen openly or are announced publicly.

When there is a vote or a statement, the action is blessed by transparency. Everyone knows what happened. Everyone understands why.

Cherepko showed compassion in authorizing the payments to his people. But McKeesport missed an opportunity to demonstrate to every resident and every government agency the value of openness at the same time.