Sunday, June 25, 2006
Advice from a Reporter to Local Officials About Secret Meetings
Well, he’s really an editor.
The Northwest Herald’s Kevin Lyons, reacting to the virtual banishment of a Hampshire village trustee who told someone what had happened behind closed doors, cringed Thursday:
They accused the 80-something great-grandmother of sexually harassing an employee, plus releasing some information she got in Executive Session. One wonders what lawyer advised the board that releasing information from a secret session is illegal.
The board majority was so upset that it illegally banned her from her last meeting.
In any event, when Nelson sued, the park district backed off on that charge about releasing the info from the secret meeting.
So, if something happens you don’t think should have occurred at an Executive Session, you can call either Kevin or me. Either of us would be happy to hear from you. My number is 815-459-3506.
And, thinking of the park district, I remember one warm summer night standing out in front of the Main Beach building while the park board was holding a secret meeting.
When they came out, I asked, “What did you do?”
“We bought a boat,” was the reply.
“Would you like to go back and do it legally?” I asked, explaining that they had to take action in open session.
They didn’t, so I filed a rather detailed complaint with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
My understanding of the law is that if the State’s Attorney declines to enforce the Open Meetings Act that a citizen can do so. I believe there was a 30-day period to get into court.
The Friday afternoon before the Monday when the deadline was to expire I got a call from the State’s Attorney’s top assistant telling me that he refused to take action on this most blatant violation of the Open Meetings Act that I have ever seen. Needless to say, I did not have time to put anything together by Monday afternoon.
Fortunately, that state’s attorney is no longer in office. He doesn't deserve to be.
The Northwest Herald’s Kevin Lyons, reacting to the virtual banishment of a Hampshire village trustee who told someone what had happened behind closed doors, cringed Thursday:
But what makes me cringe is the perpetuation of the notion that it is verboten for elected officials make public issues discussed during closed session. That simply is not the case.He continues,
Elected officials are elected to serve the public – not each other. Sometimes it is in the best interest of the public for a public official to break ranks with fellow trustees and shed light on an issue that others believe should remain behind closed doors.That reminds me of the Crystal Lake Park District suit against former commissioner Leona Nelson.
Those other elected officials often react with much hostility when this happens, but that doesn't always make them right.
They accused the 80-something great-grandmother of sexually harassing an employee, plus releasing some information she got in Executive Session. One wonders what lawyer advised the board that releasing information from a secret session is illegal.The board majority was so upset that it illegally banned her from her last meeting.
In any event, when Nelson sued, the park district backed off on that charge about releasing the info from the secret meeting.
So, if something happens you don’t think should have occurred at an Executive Session, you can call either Kevin or me. Either of us would be happy to hear from you. My number is 815-459-3506.
And, thinking of the park district, I remember one warm summer night standing out in front of the Main Beach building while the park board was holding a secret meeting.
When they came out, I asked, “What did you do?”
“We bought a boat,” was the reply.
“Would you like to go back and do it legally?” I asked, explaining that they had to take action in open session.
They didn’t, so I filed a rather detailed complaint with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
My understanding of the law is that if the State’s Attorney declines to enforce the Open Meetings Act that a citizen can do so. I believe there was a 30-day period to get into court.
The Friday afternoon before the Monday when the deadline was to expire I got a call from the State’s Attorney’s top assistant telling me that he refused to take action on this most blatant violation of the Open Meetings Act that I have ever seen. Needless to say, I did not have time to put anything together by Monday afternoon.
Fortunately, that state’s attorney is no longer in office. He doesn't deserve to be.
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Re: "telling me that he refused to take action on this most blatant violation of the Open Meetings Act that I have ever seen. .....etc."
My novice experience or understanding per articles is that the State's Attorney's office (current and previous chief occupant) is that unless citizens pretty much PROVE a crime is committed, it pretty much won't be investigated. I find this odd to say the least. Seems like putting the onus on the wrong people!
Then there's a local Regional Supt. of Schools - who suddenly doesn't answer the phone and won't answer in writing regarding issues raised about a school district in his area.
And the ISBE folks - who similarly don't answer or only have a person/secretary/? tell you after repeated calls that "It's under review." And again no written answer comes and you never get a call. Or another department tells you they ONLY care about Federal money - not local money. (So I guess you can sail off with millions of local taxes and fees and the ISBE says "Not our job!" ??? And complaints about procedures? LOL - oops sorry - that wasn't happy laughter.
The Governor's office of Education Reform - seems content it has passed comments/complaints to the ISBE or the Regional Supt.
An Election official/employee tells you that the only way to fix things is to vote people out of office.
And everyone is supposed to understand the unspoken words.
All of this no matter how bad the local "stench" is?
This is OUR Government in action? These are the people protecting the money that's supposed to be going into our children's piggy banks instead of being misspent? I thought it was all FOR THE KIDS? Funny way to show it........
While I dearly love my country - this isn't my idea of integrity or even simply doing the job that people pay you to do. It's passing the buck and wearing blinders and maybe even ? covering up.
Maybe we should teach our kids an actual course in this so they won't be as surprised and disappointed as I am.
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My novice experience or understanding per articles is that the State's Attorney's office (current and previous chief occupant) is that unless citizens pretty much PROVE a crime is committed, it pretty much won't be investigated. I find this odd to say the least. Seems like putting the onus on the wrong people!
Then there's a local Regional Supt. of Schools - who suddenly doesn't answer the phone and won't answer in writing regarding issues raised about a school district in his area.
And the ISBE folks - who similarly don't answer or only have a person/secretary/? tell you after repeated calls that "It's under review." And again no written answer comes and you never get a call. Or another department tells you they ONLY care about Federal money - not local money. (So I guess you can sail off with millions of local taxes and fees and the ISBE says "Not our job!" ??? And complaints about procedures? LOL - oops sorry - that wasn't happy laughter.
The Governor's office of Education Reform - seems content it has passed comments/complaints to the ISBE or the Regional Supt.
An Election official/employee tells you that the only way to fix things is to vote people out of office.
And everyone is supposed to understand the unspoken words.
All of this no matter how bad the local "stench" is?
This is OUR Government in action? These are the people protecting the money that's supposed to be going into our children's piggy banks instead of being misspent? I thought it was all FOR THE KIDS? Funny way to show it........
While I dearly love my country - this isn't my idea of integrity or even simply doing the job that people pay you to do. It's passing the buck and wearing blinders and maybe even ? covering up.
Maybe we should teach our kids an actual course in this so they won't be as surprised and disappointed as I am.
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