Nothing gets us on our high horse quicker than a violation of the state's open government laws.
If we're a little rabid about it, but it's only because the law recognizes a fundamental truth about the American way.
In a nutshell, government belongs to the people it serves. Being denied access to what's ours can be infuriating. Even worse, it's bad for democracy.
People don't run for city council or volunteer for the cemetery board because they're trying to undermine our way of life.
Even so, open meetings violations are hardly rare. In less than four years, state auditors found 460 incidents in which public officials held illegal meetings.
Better knowledge of what the law requires can improve those numbers.
On Thursday night, Washington State University, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Tri-City Herald are sponsoring a forum on open government.
Elected representatives and other government officials around the Mid-Columbia ought to be there. Most already received a personal invitation.
But anyone interested in open government is invited to come learn more about the law.
The forum features open government experts Tim Ford, ombudsman for the Washington State Attorney General's Office; John Ziobro, former Kennewick city attorney now in private practice; Terry Tanner, West Richland city attorney and former Richland City councilman; and Ken Robertson, Tri-City Herald executive editor.
Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, also will discuss legislation aimed at reducing the number of open meetings violations.
The free, two-hour discussion is at 7 p.m. Thursday in WSU Tri-Cities' East Building Auditorium, 2710 University Drive, Richland.
It's got to beat an auditor's finding for a lesson about the law.
Print
E-Mail