(Apr 6 10)
April 5, 2010
To the Government:
We notice that you often list some of your meeting agenda items as just "discussion with John Doe" (or any individual) without explaining anything that would help the public understand what the meeting is about. Not only do you deliberately withhold information on your meetings by refusing, in this the 21st Century, to use the internet to provide timely public notice, but you expend excessive energy in keeping your taxpayers uninformed. In that way, you can control who might attend or comment on any subject you wish to keep quiet until it's too late for the public to participate. For instance, on March 16 - a Tuesday - you scheduled a meeting for a discussion with the county Sheriff and bookkeeping staff. You discussed issues of spending and budget but did not make any effort to notify the public that this discussion would even occur, especially on a day when you do not have regularly scheduled meetings. Also, Mr. Hodges is quoted as saying that he discussed public county issues with Mr. Dowaliby in Colorado Springs, away from public meeting notices, in apparent disregard for open meetings laws.
So, for this week's meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, I would like to know the following:
Re: Discussion With Scott Dugan - Please explain who Mr. Dugan is, what will be the subject(s) of discussion, and who else is expected to attend with Mr. Dugan or as a consultant or participant for the county in the matter.
Re: Update with Division of Wildlife - Please describe any and all subject matter you anticipate in the discussion, who will appear for the DOW, and who will attend to consult for the county.
Re: Discussion With Thom LeDoux, DA - Please describe the subject(s) anticipated to be addressed or discussed. Also, please include the names of any who are expected to attend with Mr. LeDoux and who is anticipated to attend to consult for the taxpayers or the county government.
I request the information listed above whether or not you choose to postpone or cancel any of the matters referenced. I request that you send the information immediately by email reply and also publish the same material promptly on your website in the agenda document for the referenced meeting.
I also request that you not delay with a technical argument that you are not required to provide this information to the public due to an escape or excuse that you have decided to arm with. We are not interested in technical excuses that you use in order to do your work and inform your public to the bare minimum required, or not at all. We are interested in seeing your enthusiastic efforts to keep your public well informed, openly, honestly, and in energetic compliance with the public understanding of the full intent and spirit of the Sunshine Laws of the State of Colorado, for all issues, present and future, concerning the county.
