Town Clerk Paula Barnett recognized with Good Governance Award – The Chaffee County Times

Report on the 2025 Sam Mamet Good Governance Award and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Award Context

This report details the recognition of Ms. Paula Barnett, Town Clerk of Buena Vista, with the 2025 Sam Mamet Good Governance Award. The award, conferred by the Colorado Municipal League (CML), acknowledges public servants who actively promote principles of good governance. This recognition directly aligns with the objectives of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16): Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which seeks to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Contributions to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Ms. Barnett’s career and recent commendation exemplify key targets within SDG 16. Her work has been instrumental in strengthening the local governance framework of Buena Vista.

• Effective, Accountable, and Transparent Institutions (SDG Target 16.6): The nomination by Town Administrator Brian Berger explicitly highlighted Ms. Barnett’s dedication to ensuring governmental efficiency, effectiveness, openness, and transparency. Her management of diverse responsibilities, including support for the Board of Trustees and municipal licensing, demonstrates a commitment to building a robust and accountable local institution.
• Responsive and Inclusive Governance (SDG Target 16.7): Ms. Barnett’s professional philosophy emphasizes service to community members and visitors. Her work in managing the town cemetery, where she provides support to residents during difficult times, is a clear example of responsive and people-centric governance. This approach ensures that municipal services are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of all constituencies.
• Upholding the Rule of Law and Ethical Conduct: The nomination letter praised her unwavering respect for the rule of law and high ethical standards. This commitment is fundamental to SDG 16, fostering public trust and ensuring that governance is conducted fairly and justly.

Broader Impacts on Sustainable Community Development

Ms. Barnett’s contributions extend beyond SDG 16, impacting other areas of sustainable development within the community.

• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11): As Town Clerk, Ms. Barnett’s role is integral to the effective administration of Buena Vista. Her work contributes to Target 11.3 by enhancing the capacity for participatory and sustainable human settlement management, ensuring the town’s administrative functions support a well-managed and resilient community.
• Ensuring Institutional Continuity and Resilience: In anticipation of her retirement, Ms. Barnett is developing a comprehensive succession plan. This forward-thinking strategy is critical for the long-term sustainability of the institution she serves. By ensuring a smooth transition and equipping her successor for success, she reinforces the resilience and continued effectiveness of the Town Clerk’s office, a core tenet of building strong institutions under SDG 16.

Summary of Achievements

The selection of Ms. Barnett from a field of 26 unique nominees underscores the significance of her contributions. Her career is characterized by a profound commitment to public service and the principles of sustainable governance.

1. Distinguished Career: Ms. Barnett has dedicated over 30 years to public service across multiple municipalities and state-level offices before becoming Buena Vista’s Town Clerk in 2017.
2. Exemplary Service: Her nomination cited her as the epitome of what a Town Clerk should be, highlighting her dedication to the community, her peers, and the principles of good governance.
3. Commitment to SDG 16: Her work directly advances the goals of SDG 16 by fostering an effective, accountable, transparent, and responsive local government.
4. Legacy of Institutional Strength: Her focus on creating a succession plan demonstrates a commitment to the long-term sustainability and resilience of the community’s governing institutions, ensuring her impact endures beyond her tenure.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   This is the most relevant SDG as the entire article focuses on the principles of good governance, effective public service, and the role of strong local institutions. The article celebrates Town Clerk Paula Barnett for receiving the “Sam Mamet Good Governance Award,” which recognizes individuals who “exemplify and strive to promote the principles of good governance.” Her work is described in terms of strengthening the local government of Buena Vista. The nomination letter from Town Administrator Brian Berger explicitly highlights her dedication to the core tenets of SDG 16, such as ensuring “efficiency and effectiveness of government,” “openness and transparency,” “respect for the rule of law,” and “unrelenting accountability.”

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

  The article directly supports this target. Paula Barnett’s work is praised for its “efficiency and effectiveness of government.” Her “unwavering commitment to openness and transparency” and “unrelenting accountability to herself and the community she serves” are key reasons for her award. Furthermore, her forward-thinking approach to “creating a succession plan” to ensure service continuity demonstrates a commitment to building resilient and effective institutions beyond her own tenure.

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

  This target is reflected in the description of Barnett’s work ethic and priorities. The nomination letter commends her for “responsiveness to the needs of community members and peers” and for her “representation of all constituencies.” Her own words emphasize her focus on people: “It’s the community members, as well as the visitors who come.” This people-centric approach is fundamental to responsive and inclusive governance.

• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

  While the article does not mention corruption or bribery directly, it promotes the foundations that prevent such issues. The emphasis on “ethical behavior and conduct,” “transparency,” and “respect for the rule of law” are all crucial components of anti-corruption strategies. Good governance, as exemplified by Barnett, is the antithesis of corruption.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 16.6 (Effective, accountable, transparent institutions):

  The article implies several qualitative indicators:

  • Existence of recognition mechanisms for good governance: The “Sam Mamet Good Governance Award” itself serves as an indicator that there is a system in place to evaluate and promote effective and accountable public service.
  • Implementation of succession planning: Barnett’s effort to create a succession plan to “ensure her successor is well equipped to maintain the level of service” is a tangible measure of building institutional capacity and effectiveness.
  • Commitment to transparency: The nomination highlights her “unwavering commitment to openness and transparency,” which can be seen as a measure of institutional practice.

• Indicators for Target 16.7 (Responsive, inclusive, representative decision-making):

  The article suggests the following indicators:

  • Responsiveness to community needs: The nomination letter explicitly praises her for “responsiveness to the needs of community members and peers.”
  • Public perception and satisfaction: Barnett’s statement about being a “positive face for the town” and her focus on helping “community members” through difficult moments imply a high level of public satisfaction and trust, which is a key indicator of responsive governance.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Analysis

Source: chaffeecountytimes.com