Comments on: Contributor Opinion by John Britton: State Of The City And The Open Meetings Act http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act.html/ News and views on Rockville, Maryland since 2007 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:01:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Anonymous http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act.html/comment-page-1/#comment-913 Anonymous Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:12:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/04/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act/#comment-913 What I find laughable is that some people complain that things aren't open enough...><br/>Then, when a few councilpeople are hosting an opportunity to openly discuss anything at all, people complain about that too. What I find laughable is that some people complain that things aren’t open enough…>
Then, when a few councilpeople are hosting an opportunity to openly discuss anything at all, people complain about that too.

]]> By: JJ http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act.html/comment-page-1/#comment-912 JJ Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:08:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/04/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act/#comment-912 This is precisely my point. For Mr. Britton to go through such a lengthy explanation of how they are complying with the Open Meeting Act kind of begs the question...if this is a casual meeting of three council members, why the concern? My opinion is, if a quorum of our governing body is assembled, and they present, discuss, voice opinions on any City issue, policy, ordinance, etc, then it needs to conform to all the rules...City, State, etc, that govern such meetings. My final point is, if it is to be considered a meeting of the council, then do what is done with all other council meetings...hold it in city hall with the cameras and recorders roling.><br/>Whether the other council members speak out or not is their business. It is my understanding they were not invited, and Mr. Britton's commentary..item #4, seems to corroborate that. This is precisely my point. For Mr. Britton to go through such a lengthy explanation of how they are complying with the Open Meeting Act kind of begs the question…if this is a casual meeting of three council members, why the concern? My opinion is, if a quorum of our governing body is assembled, and they present, discuss, voice opinions on any City issue, policy, ordinance, etc, then it needs to conform to all the rules…City, State, etc, that govern such meetings. My final point is, if it is to be considered a meeting of the council, then do what is done with all other council meetings…hold it in city hall with the cameras and recorders roling.>
Whether the other council members speak out or not is their business. It is my understanding they were not invited, and Mr. Britton’s commentary..item #4, seems to corroborate that.

]]> By: Anonymous http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act.html/comment-page-1/#comment-911 Anonymous Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:48:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/04/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act/#comment-911 @JJ My concerns are...should this be seen as a meeting of the M&C since a quorum is present, and if so, why were other members not invited? "><br/><br/>how do you know this? should they not speak up? @JJ My concerns are…should this be seen as a meeting of the M&C since a quorum is present, and if so, why were other members not invited? ">

how do you know this? should they not speak up?

]]> By: JJ http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act.html/comment-page-1/#comment-910 JJ Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:40:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/02/04/contributor-opinion-by-john-britton-state-of-the-city-and-the-open-meetings-act/#comment-910 John, I never questioned if this violated the Open Meetings Act. My concerns are...should this be seen as a meeting of the M&C since a quorum is present, and if so, why were other members not invited? "State of the City" sounds to me like official city business...at least it gives that impression. As far as location, I know what the requirements are. As stated in my opinion piece, we have been down this road before. If it turns out that this public gathering can be construed as an "official" meeting of Mayor and (some) Council, and needs to adhere to State regulations, then have it in council chambers and make it available to all, including those who can't be there. John, I never questioned if this violated the Open Meetings Act. My concerns are…should this be seen as a meeting of the M&C since a quorum is present, and if so, why were other members not invited? "State of the City" sounds to me like official city business…at least it gives that impression. As far as location, I know what the requirements are. As stated in my opinion piece, we have been down this road before. If it turns out that this public gathering can be construed as an "official" meeting of Mayor and (some) Council, and needs to adhere to State regulations, then have it in council chambers and make it available to all, including those who can't be there.

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