During “Government in the Sunshine Week” (to celebrate Government in the Sunshine statewide) Bruno Barriero, Miami Dade County's Commission Chair (the County's most powerful position), moves to curtail: Government in the Sunshine!
The Miami Herald reported today Bill would allow closed-door talks.
County Commission Chair Bruno Barreiro, who has never had an original idea in his head that Commissioner Seijas hasn’t put there, is moving a bill that would allow him to talk to Natacha in closed door meetings. According to the article:
“His change would allow any two members of a government commission or council to meet privately,“
I guess those late night conversations have become too burdensome on their respective families. Or do they have their staff scurrying feverishly back and forth with messages? Whatever their reason, this move to meet behind closed doors is not unexpected. They need to be in better contact to run their show.
For any of you new to Florida, we have strict Sunshine laws. A transparent government process was the goal when citizens put the Sunshine provisions in the Florida Constitution.
According to the article, Florida Governor, Charlie Crist, said about the move by Barreiro:
“It sounds like a retreat on openness, so my first impression is I don't like the sound of it.''
The vote is scheduled for April 24th. I can’t see Commissioner Javier Souto voting for it. This move smells too much like the closed door politics of Cuba. Anti Cuban anything is the basis of his logic for all his decisions.
P.S. Reporter Chuck Rabin: Where are the quotes from outraged citizens? That has always been my beef with your reporting. Where are the common folks on this and other issues you report on?
P.S.S. The Herald Editorial Staff weighs in 3/15/07 on this issue: For open government OUR OPINION: REJECT PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT PUBLIC BUSINESS IN PRIVATE
12 comments:
very funny graphic...and very funny content:
"During “Government in the Sunshine Week” to celebrate Government in the Sunshine, Bruno Barriero, Miami Dade County's Commission Chair (the County's most powerful position), moves to curtail Government in the Sunshine."
you are right about rabin.
Don't they do this now...meet behind close doors or pick-up the phone and talk? The Sunshine Law is a noble concept that is hard to apply. It is only when an outsider or opposition is around that they will refer to the Sunshine Law.
HONESTLY, what he has proposed is what the state legislators ALREADY HAVE. The state legislators do not operate truly in the sunshine, it's a much stricter system for local governments. State legislators imposed a stricter sunshine law on local governments that which they themselves won't have to adhere!!!
Genius of Despair:
You are correct..where is the outrage from the common folks? Even the comments here to your article are from people commenting from behind closed doors.
Thanks.
www.miamisundhine.typepad.com
Genius of Despair said...
Well at least the Herald Editorial staff agreed with me today.
I can't keep up with that Tallahassee crew that is run by mid-state pubs. I have enough trouble keeping up with the mischief of the County Commission. If Tallahassee has managed to slip around the constitution in some slimy way - it does not mean we should follow suit. Two wrongs don't make it right..
Frankly, I am surprised at some of the readers responses. Why are you are so quick to give up your rights?
I have mixed feelings about the “sunshine law”. Having been on a county committee that came under it, we were not allowed to conduct any business without Miami-Dade noticing the public. We were a working group trying to gather information and produce information regarding city incorporation. At the same time the group working against us and presenting anti-incorporation information to the public did not have to follow the same rules. When we did meet in public, at noticed meetings, the anti group tried to monopolize the meeting. If we tried to attend their meetings we were ordered to leave.
The sunshine law does need to be looked at; some things need to be done without the sun shining on them all the time.
On the other hand, I do think elected officials should only meet under the sunshine law. Today I don’t think they follow the intent of the law. Much goes on behind closed doors. It is my opinion that the main conduit between Miami-Dade commissioners is the lobbyists. They flutter from one commissioner to another with information on what each is doing.
Because something doesn't work as well as we all would like is not a reason to dump it. I think this sunshine law is one of the best things we have in this State. Did you not read the Herald editorial:
"A series of Florida laws dating back to 1909 and a 1992 constitutional amendment guarantee public access to government meetings and records. The concept of open government is so popular that 75 percent of Florida voters approved strengthening the sunshine amendment in 2002; now the Legislature may only pass a sunshine exemption with a two-thirds majority." http://www.miamiherald.com/454/story/42079.html
I agree that getting rid of sunshine laws are tantamount to giving up some rights as we have so few here in Florida, however, many political scientists contend that these sunshine laws actually strengthen lobbyists.
More important, county staffers should have to disclose their outside businesses.
All good comments but in the end the Sunshine Law is good. To only apply it to elected positions would be a terrible mistake; most county boards are appointed by commissioners so the commission "stand-ins" could communicate with abandon. If anything, make it more strigent. Incorporation groups can have stearing committees to plan/communicate outside of the Sunshine.
All good comments but in the end the Sunshine Law is good. To only apply it to elected positions would be a terrible mistake; most county boards are appointed by commissioners so the commission "stand-ins" could communicate with abandon. If anything, make it more strigent. Incorporation groups can have stearing committees to plan/communicate outside of the Sunshine.
Nothing shocks me anymore from some of our delightful BOCC. They fought tooth and nail against the Strong Mayor campaign and lost, the whole time complaining and alleging (I will be kind with my words)that the strong mayor form of government would push to do precisely what they want to do now. What gall they have; they have absolutely no respect for the people of Miami-Dade County. Its all about them! I hope that in the next election cycle people remember all this and vote some of these goons out of office.
Post a Comment