Editorial: Government meetings should be accessible
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Public meetings are meant to be public.
Government isn’t supposed to happen in offices away from the eyes of the people. Oh, sure, much of the execution of government has to happen that way, but the decision making and the discussions? That has to happen where people can see.
That’s why you can watch broadcasts of the speeches in Congress and livestreams of the way the Senate votes. It’s why most courtrooms have galleries for spectators to observe the process of justice.
And it is why Pennsylvania school boards, county commissioners, city councils and other government entities have to post their meetings in a reasonable time frame. They have to conduct their business in full view at the appointed time and place.
They can only step outside that forum for rare instances covered under the state Sunshine Act. And, even then, it is only for discussion. Voting must still be on the record and in public.
What is not required is that meetings be convenient to the public.
When most school boards and municipalities meet, it is at night. That’s necessary because these elected officials aren’t paid — or are paid a nominal amount for attending the meeting, like the token pay for jury duty. The mayor or school board president probably still has a day job. That works for the people because the taxpayers may work a 9-to-5 too.
But, for larger cities or for counties, the meetings might happen during the day. These are officials who picked up a full-time paycheck when they were voted into office. They often meet during the day while they are on the clock. It makes sense, and it complies with the law. But is it fair to the public?
In Westmoreland County, there have been public calls for meetings that happen at times better suited for the taxpayers than the officials. One was set for 7 p.m. today but has been rescheduled to April 11 because of a conflict.
The commissioners also will be conducting evening meetings June 6 at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township and Aug. 22 at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver.
These do more than just make meetings accessible relative to the clock. They make them geographically accessible, too, acknowledging not all county residents have transportation to come to Greensburg for a meeting at the county seat.
The county does offer livestreaming of meetings, which gives people a window on what is happening but isn’t the same as participation.
Every government entity should do as much as possible to publicize when meetings are happening. And they should find ways to reach out to the people and put government of the people and by the people back where it belongs — in front of the people.