Open government advocates across the country assert that no empirical evidence supports secrecy in the hiring process. Established open records analysis supporting secrecy in the appointment of ranking public officials should be reconsidered.

From The State Journal:

"Frankfort's search for a new city manager has had more twists and turns than an amusement park roller coaster ride. One moment it seems as though the city commission is making progress in its search for a new leader and the next moment it is doing a loop-de-loop and is right back where it started.

. . . .

"We believe the city commission could be more transparent with the public about the search process.

"We don't expect city leaders to release the names of the candidates, but more information about how many will be interviewed, when will the interviews occur and who will be privy to those discussions should be readily shared with the community — especially since our form of government requires the decision for the next city manager to be made by the commission and not put on a ballot for voters."