Posted on by B Spokes

Possible Open Meeting Act violation.- Belinda Conaway – an open letter

Dear Open Meetings Compliance Board,

I am writing to insure compliance with:
10-501. Public policy. 
It is essential to the
maintenance of a democratic society that, … public business be performed in an open and public manner; and … the deliberations and decisions that the making of public policy involves. …
 
This is NOT about a bike lane but whether a public official can perform public business about a public road in essentially a closed meeting (not the proper venue for such a decision) and purposefully not allowing (a potentially) opposing side to be heard or allow that (possibly) opposing side to hear the rational for the change they enacted. I quote Belinda Conaway (from the Baltimore Brew)

“The city was asked the purpose of the meeting and responded by saying to discuss the lane on Monroe Street. I responded by saying the Monroe Street lane was not for discussion. My community already voiced their concerns and DOT already agreed to remove the lane.”

A responsible government would gladly hear both sides and that is my main concern that this did not happen and will not be allowed to happen unless someone intervenes. 


As a member of the media the following is also of a concern (continuing 10-501)

The ability of the public, its representatives, and the media to attend, report on, and broadcast meetings of public bodies and to witness the phases of the deliberation, policy formation, and decision making of public bodies ensures the accountability of government to the citizens of the State.  

All I know is “My community already voiced their concerns” and that really does not seem to satisfy the statute I just quoted.
Thank you for your consideration and any correction of this oversight. 

2 Replies to “Possible Open Meeting Act violation.- Belinda Conaway – an open letter”

  1. Concerning the "Possible Open Meeting Act violation – Belinda Conaway – an open letter" posted October 27, 1011 – What is Belinda Conaway’s response to this complaint? What is the opinion of the Open Meetings Compliance Board to the allegations and Conaway’s reply? Please shed light on this mystery.

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