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Show Summit County Commission says it's open to the public felt that whoever wanted to get on the agenda, we didn't turn away. By screening people, you eliminate the right of citizens to come see the commission," said Blonquist. On a related topic, the Utah open-meetings law cautions government bodies they cannot use "informal meetings" to make decisions away from the public. Regarding this, Feulner asked about the commission's com-mission's habit of lunching together every Tuesday. Replied County Clerk Reed Pace, "I've been going to those lunches for 30 years and I've never heard a decision made at the Spring Chicken Inn. They talk about Cliff's horse trailer or Gerald's cows. If that's newsworthy, come join us ! " In turning to a specific case, Feulner said the county coun-ty did not give notice of a recent executive session with Summit County Detec- by Rick Brough Under questioning from a KPCW reporter, the Summit County Commission said Tuesday it sticks to the law in informing the public about items it handles at its regular Tuesday meetings. Blair Feulner, general manager and reporter at KPCW, said his station is unable to find out what the commission will be doing by looking at its weekly agenda notices. That's because the commission often diverts from the agenda to handle items on a minute's notice, he said. "Our perception is that business just walks through the door." Feulner asked how this practice squared with the state law on proper public notice. "We'd like you to stick to your agenda, so we can intelligently cover you," he told the commission. County Attorney Bob Adkins said unscheduled items are usually insignificant. in-significant. Commissioner Gerald Young said the county adheres to the law. If the radio station doesn't agree, he said, it can sue. "We're in open meeting," said Young. The problem is that the local media only attend the commission when a volatile item is on the agenda, he added. ad-ded. Feulner replied that a KPCW reporter once tried to regularly cover meetings, but gave up in frustration when the commission did not follow its written agendas. Commissioner Cliff Blonquist said the commission com-mission allows unscheduled items so citizens can feel they can bring concerns before the commission. "We Young said the county commission's executive sessions have always been on short notice. "I don't know of an executive session I ever knew about before it walked in the door," he said. He again noted the press' taste for controversy. "If we did put a notice '2-3 p.m. Executive session,' we'd have all the news media outside out-side our door." "We only see you when something is controversial," he added. "You're sure welcome to come. But you want to help make the news." Feulner replied, "You're substituting 'controversial' for 'interesting.'" He added that if the commission wants to bring any items to public attention, the radio is always available. Feulner asked the commission com-mission to pass a resolution that they were aware of their tive rtoD Berry to discuss Park City ambulances. Adkins said that was an emergency meeting, which does not have to meet the written notice requirement. (Ordinary meetings are required to be preceded by at least a 24-hour notice) . Feulner said that, even in emergency circumstances, the government body is obliged to give the best notice practicable to the media. auues unaer me siaie open-meetings open-meetings law. But Young said that wasn't necessary. Then Feulner asked that the meeting be clearly recorded in the minutes. Young said, "I think I know the law, and what I don't know, the county attorney does. We're all supportive of it. If you don't think so, challenge us. If we don't do it right, we need to be jerked up." |