Community News
Can they do that? Learn about open meetings and freedom of information in New York State with two free virtual webinars...
Learn the ins and outs of open meetings and records access in New York in these two virtual sessions being offered by the New York State Committee on Open Government M
Editorial
When it comes to open government, New York’s lofty ideals bear little relation to reality
With no penalties for violations and no enforcement except by lawsuits in State Supreme Court brought by private citizens, it's no wonder officials often act like complying with these laws are optional. There is a better way, if N.Y. state lawmakers were serious about transparency.
Government
Town Board looks to adopt law allowing board members to attend meetings virtually
The Riverhead Town Board will move to grant board members the ability to participate virtually during public meetings if they aren’t physically available to attend in person.
Editorial
You have the right to see the sausage being made. In Riverhead, it’s out of public view.
Opinion: There's an old saying: "Laws are like sausages. It's best not to see them being made.” We disagree. That's precisely when you need to pay attention.
Editorial
Open meetings matter. And they can’t be open unless the public knows they’re happening
This week's town board work session violated the State Open Meetings Law, because the town didn't give 72 hours notice of the meeting to the public and the news media.
Government
State advocacy group calls for more transparency and accountability for county boards of elections
An advocacy group is calling for reforms to state public information laws after their report found that several county boards of elections in New York, including Suffolk’s, displayed a lack of transparency in answering their requests for meeting information.
Denise Civiletti
‘Open’ is not optional — it’s the law
The situation our district finds itself in right now — failed budgets, failed bond votes, upset and angry parents, dejected children — isn’t somebody else’s fault. It’s a direct result of the persistent lack of candor on display at every carefully scripted board meeting — of the board and a series of superintendents being consistently unwilling to give people straight answers to straight questions about subjects that are, in fact, the people’s business.
Denise Civiletti
‘Sunshine Week’ series: How to improve transparency in public meetings
Local governments have come a long way in achieving transparency in public meetings, in large measure thanks to technological advances and the internet, but they've still got a long way to go.
Denise Civiletti
‘Sunshine Week’ special series: Why open government matters
After nearly 20 years of local news reporting, I could fill a book with stories of government officials trying to prevent reporters — and hence, the public — from finding out what they’re up to.
Government
When is executive session discussion confidential? Debate gets heated over alleged leaks
What happens in Vegas... The old maxim may or may not apply to what happens in executive sessions of the town board, as members today got into an argument over who has — or hasn't — been leaking discussions held behind closed doors to members of the public and town employees.