What happens when elected local officials appear to exceed their authority or make decisions without meaningful public input? In this episode of Clear Sightings with Lynne Taylor, the discussion explores the balance between mayoral authority, citizen participation, and government accountability. The program examines how local decisions can affect communities, why transparency and public oversight matter, and what legal and civic avenues are available for residents who want to challenge policies or hold elected officials accountable. Viewers are encouraged to become informed about local government processes, understand their rights, and actively participate in shaping decisions that affect their communities.
Resources:
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqEudHU9OVU
One of the concerns I had expressed during another meeting, during public comment, was the dangers of what this type of situation models for our youth. And, as if it was an orchestrated move, during the next meeting, a young person did come up and express disdain for the mayor. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MUTqkTQ7FI
2) How does a citizen ‘fight back’ when local government is less than honorable?
https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/public_integrity/79/
Accountability
Oversight
Transparency
3) What about your State’s Constitution and General Statutes? Is there language that addresses what to do in these cases?
Since I live in NC, here’s the NC State Constitution link:
https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Constitution/NCConstitution.html
(Note: local government is laid out in Article 7, who may run for offices, Article 6.
State statutes for such (again NC, as the example): https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_14/Article_31.pdf
(Note: the use of the word ‘failure’)
4) What about your city’s charter? Is there language that addresses what recourse there may be? (My city’s charter isn’t available in print and is months behind being uploaded on line, per the town clerk)
5) What if it’s not a mayor, but some other elected/appointed leader? What if it’s state level or even federal level?
What recourse is there?
Here’s an example from NY that can be of help:
https://citizensunion.org/honest-and-accountable-government/
6) What can a citizen do?
Here’s my example of a proposed amendment to the city charter that’s been presented to at least 3 Town Board of Commissioners:
Draft of Town of Mooresville Amendment proposal by Lynne M Taylor
1) Purpose: To amend the existing Town of Mooresville Charter to include steps for the removal of any city leadership office (duly elected) due to unethical or illegal activities that violate the sworn oath taken upon beginning of official service. (*To protect and defend the US Constitution)
Background:
1) From the opening lines of the US Declaration of Independence, “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
2) From the Introduction to the US Constitution, “Adherence to the spirit and intent of our Constitution was so important to our Founding Fathers that one of the first acts of the First Congress in 1789, was to pass the verbiage for the Oath or Affirmation of office in compliance with Article 6 of our Constitution.” Also, from the Introduction, “Sadly, with the passing of time, the Oath or Affirmation of office has become perfunctory. It has lost its meaning to many of our elected leaders.”
*Sidebar* Knowing that 3 citizens from NC signed the US Constitution, one of whom I am a direct descendent of, it’s imperative that all elected government leaders reflect the spirit and intent of government that’s for the People, by the People and of the People.
3) From the North Carolina Constitution, Article 1, Declaration of Rights, Section 1: “The equality and rights of persons”. Section 2, “Sovereignty of the people: All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.”
Section 3: “Internal government of the State”
In each of these sections, the power to change or abolish governing in need of rectifying, is not only permitted, but expected!
Proposed Amendment:
An amendment to include, in the Town Charter of Mooresville, NC
To include actions necessary in the event of immoral, unethical or illegal
actions taken by the Mayor, the Town Board of Commissioners, any elected or appointed
official.
Actions must include the following:
1) Grounds for reprimand/removal (*ie: dereliction of duty, abuse of taxpayer funds or buildings, transportation, all privileges therein; embezzlement, assault of any person(s), etc.) .
2) Immediate reprimand/removal from all duties, without further pay.
3) Board declaration to the citizens of what grounds and actions are being taken or are in the process of. Transparency etiquette begins.
4) Reform protocol steps put into action (begins with a diverse citizen special counsel which is to use the voice of the people as their vision. This diverse counsel must be compromised of young, old, able bodied, special needs, all races, religions, and sex.)
Number of members of special citizen counsel is at the Board’s discretion.
No member of the special counsel shall receive any type of compensation or other special privileges, but serve in the spirit of our Declaration of Independence/US & NC Constitutions. Special counsel shall also need to exercise prudence in all media instances. This counsel shall be offered the proper meeting spaces and resources to host public forums where grievances can be aired to begin the healing and problem solving portions of repairing the breach in government.
An informed community is a stronger community. If this discussion raises important questions about local government and citizen rights, share this episode with your family, friends, and neighbors. Stay engaged by attending public meetings, learning how your local government operates, and speaking up on issues that affect your community. Subscribe for more Clear Sightings with Lynne Taylor, leave a comment with your perspective, and help encourage informed civic participation and government accountability.
Supporting information:
NC General Statute, Chapter 160A, Article 5
UNC’s Tool of Government article, “Forms of NC Municipal Government”
NY based “Citizens Union” Policy Report, April 2025
Lynne Taylor
Lynne is known internationally and across America as the “Common Core Diva”. Her education activism, teacher experiences, speaking, writing, and public appearances have helped influence countless citizens to spring into action to protect their families. Her tireless research has been deemed by her peers and many journalists as “expert.” Lynne is a fearless leader and champion for truth, not politics; when it comes to standing in the gap between the fallacies about education. Join Lynne as she shows you the underbelly of the Common Core Machine and how you can fight back.
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