Feb-06
16
Open Meetings Law
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A common misconception exists аbουt tһе Wisconsin Open Meetings Law. Tһе law іѕ much broader tһаח mοѕt realize. Even wһеח חο action οr even discussion takes рƖасе tһе Law applies. Tһіѕ includes “information gathering” meetings wherein tһе members simply sit іח tһе audience аחԁ listen tο a speaker whose subject matter іѕ related tο tһе official governmental business οf tһе members. Learn more аbουt tһе Open Meetings Law here.
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Keenan, thank you. This is solid information and needed for everyone’s edification.
This is certainly not the first time this board has violated state law. I successfully complained to District Attorney Eric Johnson regarding a violation by two board members who were conducting secret meetings in an effort to put together the original task force in Hudson.
The DA found them in violation and rendered all of their work product null and void. They had to start over and did so by sherking their duty and pawning it off on unelected members (hand-picked, if you wwill) of the community. Why do boards push this law when they know fully well after having been found in violation previously? To me it smacks of arrogance, pure and simple.
Thanks for that detailed analysis Keenan. I was the citizen who made the school board aware of this infraction of the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law. Of course Annette Cook immediately denied any wrongdoing whatsoever. This is just par for the course with Annette and the school board. They don’t give a whole lot of thought to open meetings violations or the concerns of the average taxpayers in general. That is why the hardworking taxpayers of the district are now forced to wait until the end of the meeting in order to address the board. This was enacted in December of 2004 and should be changed immediately. What an insult to someone who wants to address the board to have to sit through 2-3 hours of gratuitous backslapping to finally get 5 minutes. Anyway, keep up the good work. Your thoughtful analysis is always welcome here on the blog.