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Show groups criticize bill expanding closed meetings Bv CHERIE HUBER Clipper Correspondent Some controversial changes in a law that already allows some closed meetings in government were tabled after representatives of many groups spoke against the changes at a meeting at the Capitol. The bill may be refined and brought up for action again later. Titled "Open and Public Meeting Amendments,' the changes would have added "current or anticipated" litigation or "the acquisition or disposal of an interest in" real property to the wording of the current law. The changes would amend the "Sunshine Act," which designates when government agencies agen-cies can close public meetings. An attorney representing the League of Cities and Towns spoke in favor of the changes. Others opposed to adding to the list of permitted closed meetings were representatives from The Sierra Club, the UEA, the PTA, Professional Broadcasters Association, Associa-tion, Common Cause and Utah Issues. Most of those represen tatives had the opportunity to speak. Sponsor of the changes, Sen. Lyle Hillyard, said he felt the current cur-rent law placed government at a disadvantage in property negotiations. negotia-tions. The ambiguity of wording in terms of time limitations and and in terms of what closed meetings could cover were all reasons for opposing op-posing the changes. Many said they also felt that penalties for conducting conduc-ting business behind closed doors should also be more meaningful. One person suggested that the law be rewritten to require that a tape recording be made and sealed. It would be opened only if there should be a legal need. Ed Little, Kaysville, was the only representative of a political party who testified. He is the state chairman for the Utah Independent Party. He said that he concurred with what was said by the other representatives. represen-tatives. The bill was too ambiguous. Little said he felt that the bill should provide for a tape recording and a stenographic record of closed meetings for property negotiations because of the dollar amounts involved. in-volved. What was said and who said it would then be clear. At the end of the transaction the record should immediately be made available to the press and any interested inter-ested citizen so they could see what had transpired. Another citizen from Salt Lake, Bart Grant, also testified. He said he was close to one Salt Lake City council member and when he told that person about the bill, the city council member had remarked that there were already too many secret meetings, they don't need any more. |