Sun May 19 2013
Departments
Ohio

Closed Council meetings = Better informed public: Absurd “less is more” rationale for Issue 12 from the Columbus Dispatch
by Suzanne Patzer
September 25, 2010

It is hypocritical for the Dispatch, a consistent champion of open records and sunshine laws, to advocate for Issue 12, the ballot issue allowing closed City Council meetings (“Open Secrets,” Tues., Sept. 21 editorial). Tax-paying Columbus citizens do not need to be shielded from hearing varying opinions and disagreements between our elected representatives. In fact, some dissent would be a refreshing change from the homogenous and suspiciously “unanimous” votes we repeatedly witness.

The Dispatch editorial explained that most of Council business goes on “outside of public meetings” already, so why not give them our blessing to continue these backroom deals by changing the charter language. We don’t like the backroom deals going on now, and we certainly don’t want Council emboldened to hold sanctioned secret meetings. The Dispatch’s absurd claim that the “City charter change would provide public with more information” insults all Columbus citizens. With this logic, then, if the Dispatch stopped printing its newspaper, I’m sure we would all be more informed citizens.

To join the "Keep Council Open" movement, meet at Columbus City Hall every Monday from 4:45-5:15pm for a weekly demonstration until Election Day. Contact J Moore or go to Keep Council Open website




Recent Ohio Articles

Photos are more evidence that Attorney General woman's sexual harassment complaint was bogus
  November 15, 2010
  Joseph C. Sommer

No Child Left Behind scam: Purchase orders bypass Columbus School Board approval to funnel millions of federal dollars to questionable vendors
  November 9, 2010
  B. Kennedy Kent and James A. Whitaker - Parent Advocates for Students in School

Closed Council meetings = Better informed public: Absurd “less is more” rationale for Issue 12 from the Columbus Dispatch
  September 25, 2010
  Suzanne Patzer

Ohioans Fight to Reform Factory Farms
  September 16, 2010
  Tom Over

State officials used a flawed investigation report to force Attorney General Marc Dann from office
  July 9, 2010
  Joseph C. Sommer

Suburban Ohio man resists foreclosure with direct action
  May 5, 2010
  Toledo Foreclosure Defense League

The return of Ken Blackwell: Mad Hatter back with the Tea Party in Ohio
  May 3, 2010
  Bob Fitrakis

Activist jailed at Sodexo rally
  April 29, 2010
  Stephanie Diebold

Hypocrisy in the Dispatch's criticism of Eric Brown's appointment as Chief Justice
  April 17, 2010
  Cliff Arnebeck

Progressive blunt "Tea-Baggers" attack on Rep. Kilroy!
  March 17, 2010
  Bruce Bostick

Worthington school officials feel the heat: some community members oppose the teaching of global warming science
  March 13, 2010
  Tom Over and Eugene Beer

The American Middle Class is being eroded by corporate greed
  March 4, 2010
  Jason Perlman, Communications Director, Ohio AFL-CIO

Ohio jobs march hits Wall Street greed
  February 25, 2010
  Bruce Bostick

Columbus rally demands health care now!
  February 21, 2010
  Bruce Bostick

Ohio machinists fight to protect their pensions
  February 16, 2010
  Bruce Bostick

All Sides of the Story Needed in Judging Sexual-Harassment Complaints
  January 5, 2010
  Joe Sommer




Read Ohio Articles by Year:
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000



FREE PRESS EMAIL UPDATE


Donate to the Free Press Election Protection Fund to help us investigate and monitor election fraud in this year's election.


Donate to The Free Press The Free Press Store

FOLLOW US ON
twitter
facebook


SEARCH THE FREEPRESS




1021 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43205 | 614.253.2571 | truth@freepress.org
All content © 1970-2012 The Columbus Free Press
Disclaimer