Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Open Meeting Act

Posted in: PATA
  • Stock
  • markuher
  • Respected Neighbor
  • USA
  • 283 Posts
  • Respect-O-Meter: Respected Neighbor
I urge all citizens to log onto the Ohio?’s Attorney General website and under publications to review the outstanding guide to Ohio?’s Sunshine Laws. It is the most requested document from the AG?’s office. Page 70-93 of the publication outlines the requirements of the Open Meeting Act. The requirements for meetings of public bodies and their subcommittees are: the meeting must be open, there must be public notice of the meeting and there must be full and accurate minutes of the meeting which enable the public to understand and appreciate the rationale behind the public body?’s decision. A meeting is a prearranged gathering of the majority of the members of a public body to discuss or conduct public business. Discussion is an exchange of words, comments or ideas. Any resolution or action of a public body is invalid if it was discussed or deliberated in a closed meeting.

All of us are harmed by illegal closed meetings of our government bodies. Our kids?’ education is harmed by closed meetings of the board and Finance Committee. Our land use rights are harmed by closed meetings of the township trustees. And, our quality of life is harmed by closed meetings of City Council to discuss growth issues.

The noble effort of the CommUNITY 1st group was harmed by repeated accusations of Open Meeting Act violations. The group was the subject of an editorial on February 19 in the Pickerington Times Sun, and then on March 2 & March 23 a majority of the members of the school board attended a prearranged meeting and echanged ideas, words or comments Pickerington Local School District. On April 6, Rigelman further ruined the CommUNITY 1st?’s reputation by telling our State Representative that compliance with the Sunshine Laws is petty. Rigelman?’s comment killed the noble effort as important members of the media will NOT want to be part of such an effort that openingly endorses meetings that exclude the public and press.

I find it rather amusing that Rigelman's rather recent rather public campaign to 'remove me from PLSD'. I have to laugh when Rigelman?’s comments get back to me ?… it gives in an excellent opportunity to educate the public on Rigelman?’s motivation. Thanks, Bruce, keep it up!!!

All citizens should be aware of Ohio?’s Sunshine Laws and encourage all units of government to comply. Citizens should be very careful that their comments posted here are in no way encouraging non-compliance!
get a life

nuf said
What's Important


From what I've read - it seems that uncontrolled growth is going to have a much bigger impact on sports & extra curriculars from a funding standpoint than levy signs.

Don't you think you should be more concerned with this Community Authority? Or are you anticipating annual contributions from the Builders? I don't believe there have been public meetings at all on this & every time they talk about it their numbers change.

Why do you not think this is an issue? Is it Darryl wouldn't like you to be in Lou's face?
Sunshine Laws

Mark

You are right! The fact that these elected meet at different times to skirt the law that protects us all. Clearly there have been occasions where a majority of the City Council, A majority of the School Board and am amjoprity of the Township trustees have all meet at one location and they had not informed the press. I have witnessed that more than once. You are right Mark we should put a stop to it right now.

I knwo for a fact that at least three members of the board of education have been seen at Football games and Basketball game right here in Pickerington. I was an eye witness to this violation of the sunshine laws. I know it is important that these kids have their sports but we can't allow the sport and the law to be broken. So I think it is very appropriate to cancel all sports programs in the future so that these law breakers will not have the oportunity to meet in private away from the citizens they were elected to serve.

Mark you are a great American.

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