My issues with how the government of Sugar Hill conducts business are primarily focused on the elected officials. That's where I want to keep my focus as much as possible. Elected officials are supposed to be directly accountable to the public and SHOULD be held to a high standard, by me and everyone else in town.

Initially, I didn't even anticipate interacting with the employees that much. I thought I would mostly be dealing with the elected officials, who I thought were more involved in dealing with the public than they really are. But, the elected officials in Sugar Hill are mostly pretty standoffish with the public, except for the friend circles they've formed through mutual benefit and wholesale agreement. 

However, I have found that Sugar Hill's employees are extremely friendly and work very hard to do the best job they can at whatever is asked of them. I may not like what some of them are asked to do, but that's not their fault. If they're asked to do something, they execute that task very well. 

And, I genuinely like and get along well with most of them. At this point, we've all talked more socially than we've talked about City business, and I enjoy all the opportunities I've had to interact with them. Most of them don't seem worried that I'm around. A few do. But that's a red flag that invites increased scrutiny of those specific individuals. 

Sometimes, when I tell other residents that, I get eye rolls or negative commentary that alludes to me being a sellout.  That's okay. They have their opinions on it. Maybe they've had different experiences than I've had, and if they have proof that something inappropriate happened, I would want to know. But, as a watchdog, I'm here to point out potential and actual problems. I then propose solutions. That's a lot of work already. I'm not going to waste time making up a problem where I don't see one. I'm also not going to make trouble for people who don't deserve it. 

It should be a positive thing for City employees to get along well with a resident, even a government watchdog. But, I also have real concerns it isn't going over well with some of the elected officials. That's why I now file Open Records Requests for a lot of information for which I should simply be able to ask. I became concerned that employees might get in trouble for voluntarily sharing information with me. That's also why I don't publicly compliment or name the city employees I like and think are doing a good job. It's also why I don't completely fault those who seem uncomfortable with my presence at City Hall. 

The employees' overall tendency to be open is the right one. But, a culture of transparency and accountability starts at the top. Elected officials with nothing to hide would share information themselves, encourage others to do the same, and applaud open behavior from the team.