Greedy Trial Lawyer
Official Silence In Rhode Island
Category: Ho Hum
Stone-faced city and town officials in Rhode Island may resort to wearing duct tape over their mouths. The Attorney General has decreed that it would be a violation of the state's open meeting law if an official responded to comments from the public. So much for access to our representatives. We can talk to them, but they cannot talk to us.
JAMESTOWN, R.I. (AP) -- Expect municipal officials to be a little quieter at public meetings. The attorney general's office has told city and town officials that they could violate the state's open meeting law if they respond to comments from the public.By law, officials are not supposed to talk about any topic that's not on the posted agenda. Ellen Winsor, whose recent presentation to the Jamestown Town Council was met with silence, says she feels like she wasn't listened to. She wants a response, and many public officials say they want to give one.
But members of the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups support the rule. They say town boards could use the public comment period to avoid giving proper notice of discussions.
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