Mark A. Moody Condemns Secretive Development of Meta Data Center in Cheyenne

Recently,  revelations regarding the clandestine construction of a Meta (Facebook) Data Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, have surfaced in the news. The Cowboy State Daily’s May 9, 2024, report shed light on the utilization of annexed land within the city for the development of this data center, raising serious questions about the lack of transparency surrounding the project. As an advocate for government transparency, Cheyenne City Council candidate Mark A. Moody finds the lack of communication and honesty about the project appalling.

“It states in the article that several government officials signed nondisclosure agreements regarding the Meta Data Center, though some in the community knew about it beforehand through various grapevines. However, many citizens were unaware of this, and elected officials were not allowed to discuss it until early July. As someone running on transparency and accountability, this is unacceptable.” says Moody.

According to the article in question, numerous business and government officials have been bound by nondisclosure agreements regarding the Meta Data Center, effectively shrouding the project in secrecy. While whispers of the development circulated through various grapevines within the community, many citizens remained unaware of its existence until the report surfaced.

As a staunch believer in transparency and accountability, Moody finds it deeply troubling that some elected officials were prohibited from discussing such a significant development until early July. The public has a fundamental right to be informed about projects of this nature, particularly when they involve the city annexing land. Residents and businesses in the vicinity deserve to have access to all pertinent details regarding the motivations behind such actions.

It is simply unacceptable for elected public officials to be muzzled by non-disclosure agreements with private companies, effectively sidelining their duty to serve the community’s interests. This secretive approach not only undermines the principles of democracy but also erodes the trust between the government and the governed, potentially leading to a loss of public confidence in our governance system.

In light of these revelations, Moody calls for both a city ordinance and state law to prohibit elected officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities on matters of public interest. Furthermore, Moody argues that comprehensive reforms must be implemented to ensure that future developments are conducted with the utmost transparency and accountability, allowing citizens to participate actively in the decision-making process.

“The citizens of Cheyenne deserve better,” says Moody. “We deserve transparency, accountability, and the protection of democratic principles in all aspects of governance.”