Written By JR Robinson

Chairman Michael Whaley is Failing the Transparency Test—And Here’s Why Most Voters Feel Shut Out

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners, with Michael Whaley at its helm, claims to represent the people. But ask any typical Shelby County voter how easy it is to find out what’s actually happening in county government—what laws are being passed, who is showing up for votes, what outcomes follow, and how these decisions impact daily life—and the truth is clear: the public is in the dark.

Transparency is not just about posting documents. It’s about real, proactive, accessible communication—putting citizens in the driver’s seat of their democracy.

So how does Chairman Whaley rank on this most vital of civic report cards? After an exhaustive review of commission records, meeting minutes, and the labyrinthine county website, the answer is troubling: he is failing. The majority of voters, even those willing to put in some effort, are locked out by digital barriers and opaque reporting. Accountability, in practice, has become a bureaucratic scavenger hunt.

What Are Ordinances and Resolutions?

Ordinances are the laws of Shelby County—a rulebook for day-to-day government, covering everything from wage standards to zoning. Passed after three public readings, carrying the full weight of law, they should be easy for any citizen to find, read, and understand.

Resolutions are official statements or decisions of the Commission. While less binding, they shape county policy, approve programs, and reflect priorities. Both should be readily accessible to the public—if not, transparency is just a buzzword.

Why Aren’t Voters Engaged?

Because Shelby County’s process is needlessly complex, confusing, and outdated.

• Finding a single ordinance or resolution can require 5–10 clicks, careful reading of multi-page meeting minutes, or direct records requests.
• Voting records are buried, not intuitive, rarely tied to specific issues in one clear place.
• The average voter—busy, working, and without time for bureaucratic sleuthing—is left out.

Leadership & Performance: Chairman Michael Whaley’s Record

What has Chairman Whaley done to fix this? Too little.

He does support resolutions honoring local leaders and advancing key projects. But for the issues voters care about—the Living Wage, budget allocations, school spending, health funding, environmental action, law enforcement reform—there is no easy way for the public to:

• Quickly see what was passed, when, and by whose votes
• Identify the commissioner’s attendance or engagement
• Track outcomes or enforcement

Even as major initiatives like the Living Wage Ordinance become law, follow-up on real-world results or ongoing implementation is almost invisible to the community.

Transparency Report Card: Shelby County Government
(Graded from a voter’s point of view)

Why This Matters—and Why Voters Are Giving Up

When voters say government isn’t working for them, this is what they mean. They shouldn’t need a legal background or IT training to see what decisions their commission is making, or hold their representatives accountable. Democracy dies when government hides behind red tape and “find it yourself” websites.

Until the process is truly transparent—searchable ordinances, real-time vote dashboards, regular enforcement reports, and accessible meeting records—public trust will erode further, voter turnout will fall, and accountability will remain a myth.

Hard Questions for the Chair: What Will You Do for Transparency?

To improve, Chairman Whaley should be ready to answer:

1. How can citizens easily search and find ordinance and resolution details online, including their current status?
2. How many clicks does it take—where’s the one-stop transparency portal?
3. Are all votes, absences, and attendance records published in plain view?
4. What follow-up happens after laws pass—do we see real enforcement or just headlines?
5. Will the Commission commit to annual, public transparency reports?
6. What has been done to simplify and improve digital access, especially for elderly and working-class residents?
7. How is public feedback actually used to improve county government openness?

Conclusion: Voters Deserve Better

Chairman Whaley and the Shelby County Commission face a crossroads: embrace true, practical transparency—or continue failing their constituents. Until they prioritize open, accessible records, visible follow-up, and simple engagement, voters will remain frustrated, disillusioned, and shut out of local government. This is the core reason trust is low, and why so many stay home on Election Day.

And unless things change, the final grade will remain the same: D for “Disappointing.” Mr. Chairman, the people are watching. Will you finally pass the transparency test?

(This report is offered as a wake-up call and a challenge—one rooted in the experiences and frustrations of real citizens, demanding the openness and service they’re owed by those elected to represent them.)