Friday is relatively rare opportunity for the public, particularly government officials, to get a chance to clarify just how to present information to the public in the state of Wisconsin.
Continuing a tradition started by previous attorney generals, J.B. Van Hollen, or likely a representative of his office, will be holding an informational session in Monona about how items such as meeting agendas should be posted in public view. But, equally important the session will inform public officials who attend the session what should be on an agenda.
It is continually frustrating to receive an agenda at the Times that lists only three items on the docket.
Typically, these plainly illegal agendas include, Approve last meetings minutes, followed by new business, then old business, and finally concluding with adjourn meeting.
This is obviously too vague to be legal. Would a member of the public or a journalist know what the heck that means? No. Those agenda items could mean anything. They might include discussion of a simple thing like approving a fence height change, but in some instances those items can include a budget discussion or approval of something more controversial like approving a permit for an adult entertainment club.
But the public wouldnt know any different.
This meeting Friday explains to government officials, journalists and the public that type of agenda is not legal.
When agendas like this do become put out for the world to see, in most cases the members of the board or commission just didnt know what should have been included. Case in point, a woman from a board I will not name called the Times to inform us over the phone the legality of that is also in question of an upcoming meeting. All the woman told me was the board was having a meeting on a certain date and time. She seemed shocked when I asked her what was going to be talked about at the meeting. She said she never had to tell us before. I said to make it a legal meeting you have to post what is on the agenda in public view. Turns out it was discussion of the municipalitys budget. Pretty important.
Also, the attorney generals session explains what information the public can have access too. For example, what information from a closed session meeting is accessible by a member of the public.
Knowing these laws is essential in keeping an eye on government, we journalists need to know them, and so do you.
I encourage everyone who can to attend this meeting and any of the other sessions the attorney general holds around the state.
Here is the information about the session:
9 a.m. to noon
Friday
1011 Nichols Rd.
Monona
On-site and street parking available
This seminar is free, but registration is required as seating is limited. When registering, please submit your name, title, and organization/agency.
Register online at: www.doj.state.wi.us
Register by phone at: (608) 267-1307.
Green County Farmhouse Project
All right everyone, please continue to send farmhouse pictures so I can get this thing up and running. Dont forget, pictures must be simple snap shots of a farmhouse in Green County taken from directly in front of the home, no people or barns please. The only information I ask is for the name of the street, if you wish, but more importantly the name of the town or city the farm is located in. Please e-mail your photos to newseditor@themonroetimes.com.
Take care and watch out for bicycles.
Continuing a tradition started by previous attorney generals, J.B. Van Hollen, or likely a representative of his office, will be holding an informational session in Monona about how items such as meeting agendas should be posted in public view. But, equally important the session will inform public officials who attend the session what should be on an agenda.
It is continually frustrating to receive an agenda at the Times that lists only three items on the docket.
Typically, these plainly illegal agendas include, Approve last meetings minutes, followed by new business, then old business, and finally concluding with adjourn meeting.
This is obviously too vague to be legal. Would a member of the public or a journalist know what the heck that means? No. Those agenda items could mean anything. They might include discussion of a simple thing like approving a fence height change, but in some instances those items can include a budget discussion or approval of something more controversial like approving a permit for an adult entertainment club.
But the public wouldnt know any different.
This meeting Friday explains to government officials, journalists and the public that type of agenda is not legal.
When agendas like this do become put out for the world to see, in most cases the members of the board or commission just didnt know what should have been included. Case in point, a woman from a board I will not name called the Times to inform us over the phone the legality of that is also in question of an upcoming meeting. All the woman told me was the board was having a meeting on a certain date and time. She seemed shocked when I asked her what was going to be talked about at the meeting. She said she never had to tell us before. I said to make it a legal meeting you have to post what is on the agenda in public view. Turns out it was discussion of the municipalitys budget. Pretty important.
Also, the attorney generals session explains what information the public can have access too. For example, what information from a closed session meeting is accessible by a member of the public.
Knowing these laws is essential in keeping an eye on government, we journalists need to know them, and so do you.
I encourage everyone who can to attend this meeting and any of the other sessions the attorney general holds around the state.
Here is the information about the session:
9 a.m. to noon
Friday
1011 Nichols Rd.
Monona
On-site and street parking available
This seminar is free, but registration is required as seating is limited. When registering, please submit your name, title, and organization/agency.
Register online at: www.doj.state.wi.us
Register by phone at: (608) 267-1307.
Green County Farmhouse Project
All right everyone, please continue to send farmhouse pictures so I can get this thing up and running. Dont forget, pictures must be simple snap shots of a farmhouse in Green County taken from directly in front of the home, no people or barns please. The only information I ask is for the name of the street, if you wish, but more importantly the name of the town or city the farm is located in. Please e-mail your photos to newseditor@themonroetimes.com.
Take care and watch out for bicycles.
