Indiana’s Open Door Law seeks to ensure that government decisions are made in full view of the public and to minimize the appearance of impropriety in such decisions.
A recent incident in Chesterfield illustrates what can happen when the spirit of the law isn’t followed carefully.
First a brief description of the law:
Public boards, councils and other government entities must give notice of public meetings at least 48 hours ahead of the meeting so that those from the public who would like to attend can make arrangements. Though governmental bodies are permitted to meet in executive sessions (these also require public notice) to discuss sensitive matters such as personnel, they are forbidden from voting and from discussing other issues at such closed-door meetings.
Members of the public have a right to attend the public meetings and hear the discussion and the vote. The law does not guarantee citizens the right to speak at the meeting, but the best boards allow reasonable time for public comment.
The public meeting law is circumvented across the state many times each year, sometimes intentionally by a board that does not wish to face public scrutiny, sometimes accidentally by government officials who are not as familiar with the law as they should be.
The Chesterfield case demonstrates the distrust that can arise when public meeting access is limited. The town park board conducted a public meeting Sept. 10. On the agenda was a discussion of the use of the ball diamonds at Makepeace Park.
The board made the right call to discuss and vote on use of the diamonds during a public meeting. It’s a decision that should be made publicly. However, the handling of the meeting was botched.
Two rival groups of residents were requesting access to the field. One group was asked to wait outside the meeting room while the other group presented its argument. Then, the door to the meeting room was locked, denying access to those who wanted to enter. A park board member says the board didn’t realize the door was locked. Such an oversight shouldn’t occur at a public meeting.
As a result of the locked door and the segregation of the two groups, some members of the groups became suspicious that a deal was being cut. It’s exactly the sort of reaction that the Open Door Law is designed to repel by making the discussion and voting process transparent to all concerned.
The park board’s desire to keep the two groups separate can be attributed to human nature. Most people would rather avoid conflict. But part of the responsibility of serving on a public board is to face conflict, decide in the best interest of the community and handle criticism.
Moreover, public board members must work diligently to assure that both the letter and the spirit of the Indiana Open Door Law are observed without fail.
Editorials
Editorial: Public officials should know the law, follow it
Indiana's Open Door Law seeks to ensure transparency
- Editorials
-
-
Editorial: AHS grad rates moving up, must be pushed ever higher
A diploma is a must, but it has to mean something. Anderson High School must do this the right way, not cutting corners and passing students through classes, but making them accountable for learning the subject matter.
-
Editorial: With changes to program, why not begin recycling?
The public has to understand the importance of recycling aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, newspapers and certain plastics. Besides minimizing a community’s waste, recycling saves energy, natural resources and the environment.
-
Editorial: Reality returns after Super Bowl mania
While we loved what the Super Bowl did for our reputation, it’s time to get back to the real world. Let’s recap the lost week.
-
You Said It: About contract, 'Teen Mom,' State of the City
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com, coupled with responses by the newspaper’s editorial board.
-
Editorial: Smith speech shows mayor aiming high
The bottom line in Mayor Kevin Smith’s State of the City address Tuesday during the Anderson Rotary Club’s luncheon at Anderson Country Club was simple: To attract investment, you have to make investments.
-
Editorial: Bill offered by state Senate honors Fourth Amendment
No law is ever going to rid domestic situations of their subjectivity, but people have a right to be secure in their homes, and the police need to keep this in mind when they come knocking.
-
Editorial: Burton's retirement was overdue
Dan Burton has been a fixture in Indiana politics for nearly a half century. A staunch Republican, Burton made waves in the Statehouse and in Congress, but now it’s over. Burton recently announced his retirement and will not seek re-election in Indiana’s District 5.
-
Editorial: Tempered excitement for call-center jobs is prudent
Immediately after city officials announced the location of a new call center in Anderson on Jan. 25, the “Yeah, buts ...” started.
-
Editorial: Trigger law would give parents too much power
If the state is going to push for charter schools, it has to be a measured action with plenty of debate. There is a reason why the term trigger-happy has negative connotations. It means a knee-jerk reaction with little thought.
-
You Said It: About Grandview, new Colts coach and the APA incident
The Anderson Parks board has created a committee to study options for Grandview Golf Course and its restaurant. (Article published Jan. 17.)
- More Editorials Headlines
-
