--- [ WORLD WATCH ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=332) # Editor’s Memo: You Can Handle the Truth TODAY’S CITYWATCH—Why is transparency so difficult for our elected officials? When does the arrogance inoculation happen to politicians? The ‘shot’ that has them believing they can but the people … whose government it is … can’t handle the truth? Today’s CityWatch offers a couple of transparency pieces that we think are worth your time. Jack Humphreville wonders about the difference between the Mayor’s and the Council’s budgets … and whether committee chair Paul Krekorian will ensure ‘open and transparent’ discussion of the individual line items in each budget. He thinks the people … whose government it is … are entitled to that kind of openness to help them understand how their hard earned green is being spent. Meanwhile... Written by Ken Draper. April 28 2016 [Comments](#disqus_thread) TODAY’S CITYWATCH—Why is transparency so difficult for our elected officials? When does the arrogance inoculation happen to politicians? The ‘shot’ that has them believing they can but the people … whose government it is … can’t handle the truth? Today’s CityWatch offers a couple of transparency pieces that we think are worth your time. Jack Humphreville wonders about the difference between the Mayor’s and the Council’s budgets … and whether committee chair Paul Krekorian will ensure ‘open and transparent’ discussion of the individual line items in each budget. He thinks the people … whose government it is … are entitled to that kind of openness to help them understand how their hard earned green is being spent. Meanwhile... a judge has instructed the City to make the behind-the-scenes emails, involved in the Archer Girls’ School expansion controversy, public. The president of the Brentwood Resident Coalition called the judge’s ruling ‘a major victory for transparency.” It will, she said, let us see ‘what the City has been trying to hide.’ The judge apparently feels the people … whose government it is … CAN handle the truth. Too bad our electeds can’t view these issues through that same lens. These columns and more in Today’s CityWatch. Check ‘em out. Let us know what you think. Ken Draper-Editor, CityWatch [![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/) ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png) ## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays First Name [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)") [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2") --- ## Featured CityWatch Stories [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fd/064h-fdb0b507.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12) ### [Remembering Ken Draper: CityWatch and Transparency Are his Legacy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12) LA WATCHDOG - Ken Draper, the editor and publisher of CityWatch for more than 20 years, passed away on August 8, 2022… [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398) ### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398) PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. 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