When government representatives work in secret, the public good is rarely served. Consequently the damage to public trust is irreversible once the secret is out.

Last week, less than two hours before a public hearing on the City of Natchez’s redistricting plan, one alderman, Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, appears to have been feverishly working on a private redistricting plan.

The public discovered the matter through an e-mail Mathis sent to a private citizen. Although two other aldermen were listed in the e-mail, it’s unclear whether or not they were directly involved or whether or not Mathis is working alone or with others.

What is clear is that Mathis has been critical of the city’s official redistricting plans since the city hired a consultant to create the plan, which is required due to changes in population detected in the 2010 Census.

Also clear is that Mathis appears not to have told the mayor or the full board of aldermen of her apparent involvement in an alternative redistricting plan. From her e-mail, it would appear that she’s not only knowledgeable of the plan, but potentially leading it, evidenced by her willingness to drive to Cleveland to meet with the attorney on the matter.

Mathis’ secretive behavior is not against the law. However, it certainly goes against the trust and common respect members of a public board of elected representatives should have for one another and for the public they serve.

Mathis’ purported mission — to ensure the redistricting process is fair and above board — is on point. We agree with that. All citizens should have fair representation in their government — regardless of their skin color.

Working in secret reeks of an unknown, hidden agenda that may have less to do about what’s fair and more to do with personal gain.