I would like to address the issue of closed door meetings. Lately this has become a hot topic in the town and I think it necessary to discuss it further.
I have a problem with closed door meetings. It leaves people to speculate and wonder what is going on behind those doors. I feel like I am watching the Wizard of Oz and people just tell me to not worry about the man behind the curtain. I feel uneasy about them.
Not all closed door meetings are against the law, but most are. But just because something is legal does not mean it is right.
One thing is for certain: it is not legal for any government body to vote behind closed doors. For me it is not just about the law, but about the principle. Doing things in secrecy just doesn't sit well with me.
The reason this has been such an uproar recently is because the city of Uintah has held three closed door meeting where votes took place. This is a violation of the law. The city has also held closed door meetings that were legal to have (again I wish they would not). For months I have been asking our mayor to please stop having these meetings. I only received one reply back and the response was that they can do them. I asked this before the final vote behind closed doors; still no response. After the vote behind closed doors, a number of citizens requested the attorney general to get involved. They did not want to, but something had to be done to stop these kinds of meetings. The issue would have been over if the Mayor would have simply honored a request to not have these meetings. The county attorney then had to come to a meeting and request that they go back and ratify all votes because of this wrongdoing.
Again the issue with closed doors should have been over, but in the latest newsletter, the mayor wrote a long article telling the citizens that they have never had closed door meetings. I was baffled to why she would write this in the newsletter. I have asked for some clarification on this from the Mayor, but no response. I feel it is important for the citizens of Uintah to know that these types of activities are happening, and that I do not agree with them. I believe in full transparency.
It is not my goal in life to try and find fault with our city officials. I want this city to be a place where everyone is welcome to share their beliefs, and that every citizen be as fully informed as they can. I also believe it is healthy for citizens to question those in power. As mayor I would encourage people to question ANY decision I make. Keeps us in check. Having full transparency is one way to achieve that goal.
