Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Open Meeting law inapplicable, says county attorney

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Fayette County’s top commissioner and attorney are both denying the county committed any Open Meetings violations during their recent spats with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.

Questions have arisen over a series of letters written between the county commission and the sheriff’s department. The most recent letter from the commission was dated April 29 and instructed the sheriff to remove a storage shed near Johnson Avenue and Jimmie Mayfield Avenue by June 1.

The letter was signed by all members of the commission, although it was never discussed nor voted upon in an open meeting.

“This was not illegal. Our attorney (Bill McNally) was present during all these discussions, and said it was legal,” Commission Chairman Greg Dunn said.

McNally also said he had no problem with the issue.

“This falls under the possible litigation clause in the act,” McNally said before Thursday’s commission meeting.

What do you think of this story?
Click here to send a message to the editor.