VOTES SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AT WORKSHOPS… Given the increasingly complex issues involved in managing local governments and school boards, many are turning to “workshops” to get a lot of the preliminary discussion and information gathering exercises done before a “regular meeting.”
As in many things, best intentions go by the wayside in favor of expediency and, in some cases, political manipulation.
Anytime a majority of officials elected to the same constituency meets outside of social chance, it is a MEETING. When a majority of elected government officials accidentally or socially meet, they may not discuss or poll members on any pending action before them.
The open meetings act (as I’ve just read it) doesn’t address workshops, but it does list what constitutes a regular meeting, what situation in which closed sessions are allowed and what constitutes emergency and special meetings
It does require regular meetings dates to be published and does require official notification of special meetings.
Workshops have a place in the scheme of giving elected officials an opportunity to discuss issues that will be voted on in an upcoming meeting. Those workshop discussions need to be in a public meeting setting.
I don’t think it is fair (and legal) for a local government to take votes at workshop meetings. I think when that occurs the workshop becomes a special meeting and the public should be notified as such.
It appears to me more and more activity and action is happening at these workshops that should be occurring at regular meetings. The public, unless the press attends the workshop, might only find out a vote was taken when the minutes are presented after the fact.
Local governments need to consider splitting the monthly meeting agenda over a couple of weeks to allow the work to get done in a regular meeting and to allow the public to attend the meetings, as is their right, and see the votes firsthand.
THE “BEST MOM” CONTEST… entry deadline is noon Friday, May 9. At this late date, your best bet at beating the deadline is to drop the letter off to the Record office at 138 N. Main Street or e-mail it to record@i2k.com before 12:00 noon. Good luck.
I guess you could say the deadline for finding a suitable gift for your “Best Mom” is coming closer as well. For some gift suggestion help, see the Mother’s Day gift ideas on Page 14.
MOTHER’S DAY… No matter how you say it, make sure your mother knows you love her on this special day honoring all mothers.
While I think of my dearly departed mom almost every day, I do find a few quiet moments on Mother’s Day… reflecting on the great gift of life she gave me (and my 12 brothers and sisters!) always brings a sweet gladness and sadness.
There are some “best moms” in the Karl Bayer clan that I want to send special greetings to: daughters Amy and Gillian and daughter-in-law Kris. Thanks for being such great moms to my grandkids! Special love to mother-in-law Elaine… you are the best!
It is no accident that I can be so proud of my family; it is because Anne is the most phenomenal mom and grandma I know. She has juggled diversity, adversity, and her husband with several careers and still manages a home and family.
Thanks, Anne, and I love you.
