AJC > NorthSide > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 11
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Milton on the couch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Milton City Council has some problems.
There’s a 4-3 split on the council and oftentimes the disagreements seem personal. And occasionally the dissension gets in the way of smooth government operations.
The good news is the council members know it and are trying to get therapy from an analyst specializing in treatment of dysfunctional boards of directors.
But there’s a snag. Doug Griest, the analyst, wants to conduct a group session in private. He has told council members that such a session would fall under the doctor-patient privilege.
Hollie Manheimer of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation says she’s sympathetic, but doesn’t believe that falls under any exemptions under the Open Meetings Act. It’s all the public’s business, she says.
Mayor Joe Lockwood would prefer to conduct the session behind closed doors.
“It would be a little like having marriage counseling with all your friends and neighbors there,” he said.
The council is trying to find a legal justification to conduct the session in executive session, and have asked the Georgia Municipal Association for help. They’ve also mused half-jokingly that they could go to some far off place and do it where the pesky press and public are unlikely to follow.
Should they meet in private or is this an issue of public concern where the public should be present?
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